Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This book is unexpectedly interesting for me. It has become some sort habit of mine to read the book beforehand if the certain book had been adapted into a movie. Since I’m interested in watching it, I read the book.

It started out with a suicide, a suicide of a class mate. That’s how I got drawn into. The stories written in a first person perspective, in the format of a letter. Charlie writes to a random person about his life. Charlie innocently tells the story of his life, friends, family, and thoughts.

It’s a story of someone who always sit back in class, rarely socializing, almost have no friends. We probably almost always have these kinds of people in our life. We probably sometimes wonder about these kinds of people. Well, I don’t know about you, but I do. Yet Charlie tried to make sense of it all: the cruel world, the judgmental people, the sneering peers. For me his sense—Charlie’s—made sense, and slowly I got drawn to his world. He believed in the best of people, which sometimes frustrates me how he is too kind, while on the other hand, I am a bit ruthless. He thought no one understands him, so his playmates are his books. Then, he found Patrick and Sam, the first friends he ever had. He doesn’t tell much about school, he thought school is lonely, so mostly his stories are about his activity with his new-found-friends.

There is something peculiar about Charlie. His peers said he is a freak, yet his close family and friends said he is “observer”, he doesn’t participate in this world, and other people’s activity, even if he is there. he just watches. He knows there’s something about himself, he doesn’t know why. Yet Charlie tried to better, by participating, boldly and innocently.

This book is timeless, even if you are not a young adult, it speaks to you. You know how sometimes you feel different after reading a great book? I was fascinated after reading this book. Charlie reminded of this world, how simple it actually is. Charlie is very wise. It made me feel like I know him, and I would really like to meet him. Thank you, Charlie.

Sometimes there are books that are not that worthy to be read, and it’s better to be watched on large screen. Well, I’m glad I have decided to read this book first. I’m sure the book is better even though the movie might be as wonderful (haven’t watched it). I always vouch for the written words on telling stories oh someone’s head better than a picture, though I’m looking forward to see the movie!