[The Perks of Being a Wallflower] [By: Chbosky, Stephen] [February, 2009]

Loved this one. Told through a series of letters that Charlie is penning to an unknown recipient, we get more than a glimpse into his life, and those of his friends and family, as he tries to navigate his way through high school and relationships. Charlie is a very sweet, sensitive soul, somewhat troubled, who is struggling to come out from his comfortable spot on the sidelines and "participate" more in the events around him.

I did not get this book at all. The main character writes and thinks like a 4th grader, but he's a freshman with super grades (and an advanced reader apparently), does drugs, sex and drinks, gets abused, witnesses abuse, and still comes up with remarks and observations inconsistent with his age and experience. The whole "cast" is delirious, they were all playing at being in high school like we see on TV. None are believable. And don't get me started on the parents...
This is catcher in the rye meets wonder, with the talent and depth of reflection of neither.

It s good, A typical american coming of age story. The life and the glory days of ones life and how it all turns out to be.

So I was a high school sophomore in 1991. My experiences pale in comparison to Charlie's. I did enjoy this story, but it did feel as if I was watching a dated indie film, like Reality Bites. The ending was predictable to me. The book had covered almost every other possible traumatic teen experience. I was a little surprised no one ended up HIV positive, though.

I remember friends of mine telling me that I needed to read this book back in High School, that it was amazing. Now that I have read it, I can understand how a High School or Middle School kid might love this book. It has all those feelings and sensitive issues that young adults are battling at that time.
Now being that I am in my mid 20s, this book wasn't as enjoyable for me as I had hoped. My patience for the character's break downs was pretty thin by the end of the story, but when I thought back to when I was that age I could relate to it.
I guess I've finally grown up and need to move on to books more appropriate for my age.