The Recently Read posts are not typical book reviews. As a writer, I do not believe I should be reviewing the hard work of other writers. These posts are simply books I have recently read and enjoyed and will share with you. They will not always be crime books as I am trying to widen my reading selection. I hope you enjoy some of these with me.
The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
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 mixed 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 Charlie 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 Thoughts
I picked this book up while browsing in Waterstones and remembering hearing that it had been a brilliant film, so decided I must read it.
The Perks of being a Wallflower is told from the perspective of a fifteen year old boy. The chapters are letters he is writing to someone he calls “Dear friend” and who he is remaining anonymous to.
When I finished this book, all I could tweet was the fact that I had finished it. I had no words for what I’d read. As I write this, I’m still not sure what is going to end up coming out on this currently blank screen, the book is that affective. I have no idea how they portrayed the book on the screen, but it was absolutely flawlessly written. And I mean flawlessly. Chbosky must have slaved over every single, utter, word for hours to make it seem so natural and so – deep at the same time.
I don’t know what genre this book falls into, whether it is supposed to be YA, but it covers some pretty heavy topics. Again, Chbosky, does them with the naivety of a juvenile and doesn’t labour them, they just simply, are.
I have no idea if I enjoyed this book or not, but what I will say about it is that the author who wrote it is brilliant. It’s not a book to be skimmed through. It is a book to be read.
Trisha says
I haven’t read this, but would love to sometime! Pretty sure it’s already on my TBR list, but I’m going to check just in case 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
SJI Holliday says
The film is fantastic. I bought the book and the soundtrack after it but haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, it is on my massive, teetering to-be-read pile… but from what you’ve said, it sounds like it will have a as much of an impact as the film, if not more…
Rebecca Bradley says
I think I need to look the film up now.
Very Tessa Tangent says
Interesting. I think sometimes that’s why I’m disappointed if I see the ‘film of the book’; it’s usually when the book has been so well written that few film directors would be able to do it justice, other than condense the story for the screen and stay as true to the book as they can. The pleasures of the two media can be very different, even for the same story, and every time I see the film of the book, I lower my expectations deliberately. I’ve had some wonderful surprises that way. 😉
Very Tessa Tangent says
… duh! Meant to say, in first line, ‘…that’s why I’ve been disappointed…’ – it’s just me with a muddled mind trying for pedantry! Gah.
Rebecca Bradley says
And I knew what you meant! 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
I know what you mean. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this as a film though, so I will probably check it out just to see how it does convert.
sharonsant says
I absoutely adore this film and the book is on my ever growing TBR list. I feel a little guilty that I haven’t done the book first in this case, as I usually try to. The film is worth seeing though, regardless. I’m so glad you’ve read it – everyone in the world should!
Rebecca Bradley says
I think I will have to check the film out after all the rave reviews about it.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – There are some books that are like that… that are to be experienced rather than just quickly read. I’m glad you found this to be one of them. It takes real talent to create a believable YA voice and it’s good to hear that Chobsky has that skill.
Rebecca Bradley says
It was definitely an experience of reading. I think I’m going to check out the film if I can though, to see how it compares, because it’s getting a lot of rave reviews and it seems a difficult book to transfer to film.
nancyrae4 says
Your comment, “I have no idea if I enjoyed this book or not” is telling. Some books are so amazing they are beyond like or dislike. Sounds like you found one!
Rebecca Bradley says
Yes, it was weird in that way. It was definitely one of those books!
Vikki Thompson says
I saw the film recently and thoroughly enjoyed it! 🙂
Xx
Rebecca Bradley says
I think I’m going to have to check out the film.
Morgan Katz says
I LOVED this book, especially because I am a high school student myself!
Rebecca Bradley says
I can imagine it is easier to connect with it if you are nearer that age. Me, I’m a LOT older! 🙂 It was a brilliantly done book.
Claire McComisky says
I haven’t watched the film or read the book, but how can I not read if now after reading your blog? 🙂 I love it when a book leaves you feeling affected.
Rebecca Bradley says
You’ll have to let me know what you thought of it if you do read it.
stephscottil says
This is definitely a Young Adult book! It was considered controversial for years–maybe still so a bit, although YA has expanded so much in the past 5-7 years, that many other books have touched on difficult issues from so many angles.
I just watched the movie and the casting is fantastic. I did feel like the story seemed like it had been done before, and for that reason, I almost wish the film would have been made in the early 2000s, closer to the time the book was published. Or, maybe it’s b/c I read so much YA that the genre has built itself up over books like this, and that’s why this seemed a little “done.”
Good writing is good writing though, and there’s a reason this one seems to stay relevant.