Title: The Perks of being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Pages: 2013
Published: Feb 1st 1999
Publisher: MTV Books and Pocket Books
You know when you go into a book shop and you find people like you. That like the same books as you. Well, funny story. I was at Windsor's Waterstones and standing in front of the YA section I picked out 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'. So I stood there, looking for a second book, when this girl started talking to me. Maybe a year older than me. We got carried away talking about books and when I asked for a book she recommended she pointed to the second copy of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' on the shelf. Standing there with my copy in hand she laughed. I don't remember which book I ended up buying apart from 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'. I think it was a new copy of 'Divergent' because because I read my friend's version and I like to have my own copies of the good (and amazing) books I read.
When I recommended this book to my friend she said she didn't like to read books about characters that were mentally awkward. I was about to flip. NOOOO!!! It's not like that. He's just a little socially awkward.
I absolutely love this book because it just explains... everything! He explains the feelings all of us are feeling as teenagers (well, I've felt them sometimes and I think, or hope that you agree because otherwise it means it's just Charlie and me, and I don't think that's meant to be). But he explains things we go through, feel, understand. I want Charlie to be my friend!! I want to be his friend! He's so likeable, loveable. I don't really know how to praise this book without flipping out. If you haven't read it you just have to take my word for it.
IT WILL UNDERSTAND YOU!!
Plot Summary:
Charlie's not the biggest geek in high school, but he's by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent, yet socially awkward, Charlie is a wallflower, standing of the threshold of his life whilst watching everyone else live theirs. As Charlie tries to navigate his way through uncharted territory - the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends - he realizes that he can't stay on the sidelines forever. There comes a time when you have to see what life looks like from the dance floor.
- as on the book cover
Favourite Quote:
'You can't just sit there and put everyone's life ahead of yours and think that counts as love'
'We accept the love we think we deserve'
'Love always, Charlie'
'And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.'
'This moment will be just another story someday.'
'Why do I, and everyone I love, pick people who treat us like we're nothing?'
'You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand'
'Enjoy it. Because it's happening.'
My Rating:10/10
Don't miss out on the film staring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman. I think the film is great. The one thing I noticed the most was that in the book Sam has long hair and Emma Watson has short hair in the film. Now I happened to see the film before I read the book and Charlie doesn't comment on her hair until the end so I kinda (like many others) imagined Sam with Emma's short hair all the way through the book. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed the film. The point (trying not to spoil anything) of Charlie's discomfort throughout the book is explained much better and clearer in the book. In the film I was left hanging guessing. Assuming. Anyways. I think it would be better if I reread and then watched again and I'll make a review then.
