Rebekah's Voice: “A Popular Author’s First Book” 2015 Challenge; THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky

Alright ladies and gentleman… It’s time to find a book that will make me cry. I used one of those trusty internet lists that gave a number of books guaranteed to do this. I had seen the movie previews for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and it looked kind of cute, so when this book was on the list, I gave a shrug and said, “Why not?” That is how this book became my, “A Book That Made Me Cry”.

Hold the phone!! That’s not right… As much as I would have liked this book to have made me cry, sadly it did NOT. I was completely dismayed once I finished the book. What was I going to do with it now? I started reading about the author, and it went on to say how he had written Broadway shows, edited other stories, and even wrote the show Jericho that aired on CBS. Then at the very bottom, it states, “the perks of being a wallflower is his first novel.” Jackpot!! This author is behind the scenes popular, so it worked perfectly! Without further ado, here is my review of “A Popular Author’s First Book.”

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
by Stephen Chbosky

BOOK DESCRIPTION

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.

MY REVIEW

3.5 out of 5 *Stars*

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” – Bill (the wise young English teacher)

The way that this book was written through me for a loop. There aren’t too many books I have read that were in diary or letter form. This entire book was written as letters, recounting the day or week events to someone. They always started as “Dear Friend,” and were signed, “Love Always, Charlie.” The reader never knew exactly who “Dear Friend” was, only that Carlie heard that he was a good listener and did something that was morally right. Charlie even said on countless times that he wanted to stay anonymous himself, so as the reader, we’re not sure whether Charlie, Sam, Patrick, or even Aunt Helen were their real names. (Real as entirely real book characters can get… You know what I mean.) While at the beginning the story was hard to piece together with letters, it soon became easier and easier.

Now, the character of Charlie baffled me. He was so smart in his thinking, you forgot that he was so young. When Sam’s boyfriend would take a picture of Sam, he recanted that he thought,

“He would take a picture of Sam and the photograph would be beautiful. And he would think that the reason the photograph was beautiful was because of how he took it. If I took it, I would know that the only reason it’s beautiful is because of Sam.”

He would always talk about people’s happiness and if they looked the part or not. He was always watching, always judging. Sometimes he would compare people’s happiness to old photographs where everyone looked happy.

“I just hope I remember to tell my kids that they are as happy as I look in my old photographs.”

He was so smart at times, where he would understand the most convoluted things, but when it came to life, it was as if he were a baby just starting out. He wore his feelings on his sleeve and cried at the most unusual times. Then there was his lack of knowledge for the most simplest of things, and how awkward he made everyday situations. However, it was pretty funny when he found out what masturbation was though. It was one of the only times that you got to see him behave like a normal teenage boy.

“I thought that in those movies and television shows when they talk about having a coffee break that they should have a masturbation break. But then again, I think this would decrease productivity.”

This one book covers so many hard to confront topics, but it does it through a socially awkward teenager that’s learning how to cope with his own demons. It was a good book, but I wouldn’t call it entirely interesting. Yeah, it had its parts, but I could set it down and not worry about when I was coming back to it. Sure, I’ll recommend it though, it’s a book that doesn’t send one clear message, but numerous small ones that never get too deep. If you’re looking for a light read, this is a book for you. Now, I just have to see the movie.

On that last note, I’m going to pass along some words of wisdom that I thought were very well thought out and could pertain to anyone willing to acknowledge them. Ok, off to find a different book that will make me cry... Till next time...

““I would die for you, but I won’t live for you.” “every person has to live for his or her own life and then make the choice to share it with other people.”” – Charlie

Ok, off to find a different book that will make me cry... Till next time...