I don't know how many stars. I can't decide.
R-4.5
Okay, so I actually read this months ago. January. But I couldn't review it.
This is a book written entirely in letters. One way communication. We have no idea to whom Charlie is writing. They just all begin with "Dear Friend" and it doesn't seem as though Charlie himself really knows this "Friend".
This book is creepy. It is haunting, stark, raw. Absolutely nothing held back. High school life at it's ugliest.
Honestly, I think The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a fairly inaccurate title. The Life of a Doormat might work better. Charlie is a bit of a chameleon-- becoming whatever those around him want him to be. It's rather disturbing.
And yet, it's true to life. Maybe too true? I don't know. It's everything you hope your children will never see/face/know/deal with. It proves to me that I was blissfully ignorant in high school. And you know what? I'm okay with that. Plenty of time later in life to see how ugly life is.
I guess I can see why a teen would read it, but I wouldn't want my own kids reading it before.... college? I guess. I'm not even sure I'm glad I read it.
You can read another review at Book Blather. And I highly recommend it. I think she did a better job of expressing herself. I'm too conflicted. (Which is why I waited so long to review it.)
I've heard lots about this title and decided I really didn't want to read it. It's just not the book for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you. I'm not sure I could actually recommend it to anyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link back! I had a terrible time at trying to review as well. I love your alt. title, it fits so much better!
ReplyDeleteNo prob! Your review was so much less scatterbrained than mine!
ReplyDeleteIt totally fits better. Charlie's way too involved to be a wallflower. Maybe the title is supposed to be ironic?
That could be, but I somehow doubt it? There were plenty of references about him not being a part of life and how others barely knew him. It just when he is involved (and that's quite often with his friends) he bends himself to them and really does act like a doormat.
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