The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This book would have been nice to read in middle school. Unfortunately I'm reading it as a 28yo and it doesn't hit the same feelings that it would have back in the day. I would love to reply to Charlie and let him know everything will be okay.

I was first introduced to “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” when I was exiting high school and starting my own college journey. The book may have been at the height of its popular popularity around that time. I think that had I read it back then, that I might’ve enjoyed it more. Regardless it’s still a good read. This book is equal parts coming of age, dealing with tragedy, and navigating trauma, and finding your voice. Many of the moments in the story brought feelings of nostalgia to the foreground. My own youthful experiences lid bare in front of me to pick apart. That said there’s a very important message and anchors the book and rings like an alarm near the end. That moment will trigger some readers who’ve been through any sort of assault in the past. But if you can make it through, the reward is knowing that through the struggle there is a path to peace. The author’s use of letter writing as a an example of how to find peace. The method offers a reflective, therapeutic, and cathartic process for our protagonist. In a digital age it might be worth revisiting this analog approach of putting one thoughts down asynchronously, sending them off, and waiting for a reply that may never come but knowing that your piece has been said.

Did not finish

A heartfelt and deeply moving coming-of-age book. Awkward and raw, we follow the life of Charlie, a too-honest, too-pure young teenager yearning for those fleeting moments of teenagehood to be worth something. There are so many interpretive hidden messages within this book you navigate via Charlie's inner monalogue, building a relationship as a reader towards him. There are hints throughout the book of Charlie's suggested autisim. Which is realistically represented by Chbosky's straightforward writing style. We see addiction, abuse, mental illness, suicidal implications and much more, building such an open connection to Charlie as well as other characters. I loved this book and all the real-world references it represented, not to gloat, but to bring awareness. Some of these are written in so subtly, due to the creative genius of Chbosky, you witness the build-up of an extremely vital plot twist through the eyes of Charlie without grasping the truer meaning until it's laid bare, thanks to Chbosky's phenomonal writing. I resonated deeply with Charlie and the things he underwent, that I almost wished he was real so I could shield him from his traumas. I loved the music and reading list I've gathered from this book, you almost feel as though you're part of the group, growing alongside Charlie, witnessing these events real-time. Never have I felt so emotionally connected to a character or book in the way I have this one. I recommend to any young person who feels stuck in flitting time, you will learn that in life sometimes you need to slow down and embrace the moment.

perfection