Monday, December 2, 2013

There aren't always perks to being a wallflower

The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts
231 pages
Released: February 1999
Buy it @ book depository

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.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.



Review 

I watched the movie and adored it, once I finished I wanted to watch it all over again. It was amazing! So because of this I HAD to read the book and see if there were any differences. I did really enjoy the book, but not as much as the movie. Of course there was more detail in the book and certain scenes and issues were explained a lot more.

I liked the writing style - the book is written in letters from Charlie and as the book goes on you can see how Charlie's own writing gets better, which I think was done well.

Then there's Charlie and his band of misfits. I felt connected to the characters so much more since already watching the movie. I think I brought along those feelings I already had for them all from seeing the movie that it was hard to imagine them any other way. They all touched my heart in one way or another.

There were so many mature themes running through this: homosexuality, drugs, under-age sex and sexual abuse. It was unexpected when I first watched the movie because I didn't think it had such deep issues in it. I don't really recommend anyone under the age of 15 reading this.

It's a shame that the author didn't write anything else because this was so good - I guess maybe it was a one hit wonder or he thought why not quit while I'm ahead.

On the cover

I don't particulary like this cover. It is a bit old fashioned but I love the title/author font. The other cover I've seen is the movie cover, which I like better probably because I loved the movie.


What I'm reading next: Something like normal by Trish Doller


 

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