The Perks of Being A Wallflowerby Stephen Chbosky
Published by Simon and Schuster
Paperback (purchased)
YA, contemporary, realistic fiction
Charlie is a freshman.
And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.
Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.
I saw the movie years before I read the book, so I was familiar with the storyline even if I didn't remember all the details. Still, the story sucked me in and I felt everything as the main character, Charlie, did. Charlie was my favourite, hands down. I felt for him and loved him a lot. There were other brilliant characters like Charlie's family members and Patrick, as well as some I didn't warm up for - mainly Sam and Mary Elizabeth. The point is that every character were well fleshed and impeccably written.
I liked the feel of the story. For an American coming-of-age story, it was gritty with the topics of sex, drugs, violence, homosexuality, and rape. In a way it felt like I was reading a Nordic novel because of how melancholy it felt and how it did not shy of the heavier topics and the life of a teenager (I'm not saying every teenager are involved with drugs and violence etc. but more often than not American young adult novels tend to gloss over these topics even if they are part of a lots of teenagers life, directly or indirectly). And I loved how bluntly the things were told - reader won't be left to wonder what really happened. I do like bluntness a lot in stories. Anyway, Chbosky did justice for the characters and the heavy topics, and made it all enjoyable story that made me cry at times. It was brilliant. Good story, brilliant novel, and fabulous movie - I loved them all.
I highly recommend this if you can stomach some heavier topics and bluntness. For me, this is a modern classic because of how brilliant it is in every way.
5 of 5 stars.
I liked the feel of the story. For an American coming-of-age story, it was gritty with the topics of sex, drugs, violence, homosexuality, and rape. In a way it felt like I was reading a Nordic novel because of how melancholy it felt and how it did not shy of the heavier topics and the life of a teenager (I'm not saying every teenager are involved with drugs and violence etc. but more often than not American young adult novels tend to gloss over these topics even if they are part of a lots of teenagers life, directly or indirectly). And I loved how bluntly the things were told - reader won't be left to wonder what really happened. I do like bluntness a lot in stories. Anyway, Chbosky did justice for the characters and the heavy topics, and made it all enjoyable story that made me cry at times. It was brilliant. Good story, brilliant novel, and fabulous movie - I loved them all.
I highly recommend this if you can stomach some heavier topics and bluntness. For me, this is a modern classic because of how brilliant it is in every way.
5 of 5 stars.
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