Translate

Saturday 4 May 2013

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

This is one of those times where I was introduced to the book by a movie trailer...stumbled across the book in one of my bookshop crawls and bought it, read it, have yet to actually see said movie version and the other night when DB saw it on the T-Box movie list, actually suggested he NOT download it that night on account of him looking, at that point for something light - and having read the book...this is not light material, and the movie trailer is somewhat misleading...
Let me start by saying that I really loved this book. There was much about it that was quite unexpected. I wasn't expecting it to be in epistolary style...and even that had a twist because the letters - although written as letters - are more like a diary. This reminded me of John Marsden's Letters from the Inside - and that sense became stronger the further I read. There are some quite clear parallels between the two books.

The inner lives of teenagers are providing much fodder for writers, particularly teens who are on the perimeters of teen society. In this case the protagonist, Charlie, is something of an anomaly - the things that make him 'different' only become obvious by degrees through the story. He suffers quietly, an exceptionally bright student with social issues...this is the first indication that there's something a little different about him. Then his lack of friends among his peers...and being picked up by an older crowd at school. And then comes his relationship with two individuals in particular - a brother and sister who are not, in fact, actual brother and sister - being steps an a blended family... He falls desperately in love with Sam but because she is pretty, older, and popular, never dreams that she could think of him that way and, as it happens, in a conversation at one point during their friendship, she suggests that he shouldn't feel tat way about her. Charlie has a teacher who has great faith in him - seeing beyond the issues and social ineptitude, feeding him an extended literature course to try and broaden his exposure to life via a, perhaps, gentler means than simply throwing ihim out in amongst people - which is how school works of course...and which Charlie avoids.

Then there is Charlie's family. They're a pretty regular, apple pie kind of American family - on the surface. Mom, Dad, three kids, nice house, etc... Charlie's the youngest. He gets on well with his older brother - who is leaving for college. He's convinced his sister hates him - his sister is at the age where being different is totally toxic so she is hugely challenged by Charlie and is constantly on the attack - while at the same time, desperately needing an ally against The Parents within the household and Charlie is her default ally... His parents struggle to deal with him - don't really get his brilliance because they're more preoccupied with the things about him that make him odd. There is mysterious Aunt Helen - who is at once fairy godmother and black sheep, but no one really knows why...the kids, at least.... Family gatherings with the extended family on both sides are fraught in different ways. There is always a sense of secrets being kept.

Charlie goes through many of the typical teen rites of passage in the course of the book, albeit with significant twists. There is always something a little unexpected and it's always a little - sometimes more than a little - dark and twisted. This is not light reading. It's a teen novel, but it's not a pretty story really. There are redemptive moments, but if you're going to read it, be prepared to find yourself having quite disturbed moments. Seventeen has read this one, and agreed with my assessment when we had a brief conversation about it.

It is very well written and I really didn't want to put it down. at a bit over 200 pages of smallish font, it was a fairly quick read. Engaging, surprising, and left me thinking. Recommended.

Must get around to checking out the movie adaptation...

10 comments:

  1. I'm glad you liked this as it's been on my wishlist forever! I even checked it out of the library once but had to return it without reading it as I never got around to it...

    The Red Book arrived for me in the post today :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sam - definitely a good read, just not quite what I was expecting, given my impressions from the movie trailers. If the movie follows the book closely, then by seeing the trailers, you definitely HAVEN'T seen the whole movie!

      That was quick!! Enjoy!

      Delete
    2. Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download Now

      >>>>> Download Full

      Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download LINK

      >>>>> Download Now

      Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download Full

      >>>>> Download LINK eR

      Delete
  2. I had no idea someone had written a book about me! Of course, they missed a big point; I'm the oldest, and I didn't grow up with my two sibs, but hey, other than that...

    From your description, I'll bet every kid who survived public education thinks this book is about him. This may have to go on The List. Oh, not the main list with the new Drizzt novel, but the second tier, wouldn't-this-be-nice list. Great job on this one, lady; you've still got it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Jack - always SO good to see you here!!

      Some bits of this book are really very spooky - this is one troubled kid, and you don't really get an insight into just HOW troubled he is until you're well into the book.

      Go find yourself a copy - I'd be interested to hear your thoughts after you've read it.

      Delete
  3. Hello, Kaz! This is one of the very few instances that I'm actually scared of reading the book, as I saw the movie this year and I was completely floored by it. I loved the movie so much! I'm kinda anxious that the book wouldn't hold up to the brilliance that is the movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Peter!

      Huge delay - finally catching up on my blog... We saw the movie trailers and our initial thought was, that looks quirky and fun... Having read the book, I'm a little more cautious, but will get to it - but we've not downloaded it to watch a couple of times where we might have otherwise, when looking for something light and fun...cos the book isn't either!

      I will keep you posted...

      K

      Delete
  4. Even making allowances for a certain amount of Hollywood gloss, there's something wrong with a film about misfits where everyone is this good-looking and poised.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've not actually seen the film. I saw trailers, was intrigued, then read the book - liked it, but decided I didn't want to see a movie version of it.

      Delete
  5. Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    Books Anonymous: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK

    ReplyDelete