Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I finally get to review a book that I LOVE!!! YAY!! haha
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a classic coming of age story, but I would say it is anything but your average take on this story type. It follows a freshman in high school named Charlie and his many ups and downs in life. It goes through all your normal awkward teenage problems like drugs, sexuality, love, and even life itself. He enters school this nerdy kid with no friends, and leaves having learned more about himself and growing into his own as well as making 2 of the best friends he could have, Sam and Patrick.
The epistolary, or letter written, narrative is probably my favorite thing about the whole book. It pulls you in so well and makes it so believable and incredibly relatable. I felt like it was letters written to me and I felt everything Charlie was writing. I felt his innocence, his vulnerability, his naivity, his love, and his longing to fit in. I did find that I could feel connected to other characters as well though. Whenever his new friends would be aggrivated or short tempered, I could totally relate. At times I got sick of his childish actions and innocence as well. The fact that I could relate so well even though it was from just the one character's perspective just goes to show how well the book was written.
I too use writing in order to help me make sense of my life and to get any frustration or worry out of my mind. Everyone has their insecurities and their ways of dealing with them and it might just be that I related to this situation so well, that I loved the book and Charlie, but I honestly think this is a book everyone should read.
P.S. I saw the movie and loved it as well, but I have always been one who loves the book more.
