-The perks of being a wallflower
I know the Internet is not in the need for another “Perks of being a wallflower” blogpost. Everyone knows that this is one of the best contemporary YA books, if not THE best. But in this series, I want to present the books that shaped me as a reader and as a person and “The perks of being a wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky was one of them. Don’t expect a review, it is more an essay about how this book makes me feel and why I love it so much.
I have to admit I watched the movie before I read the book. Here in Germany, the book was not as big as in the USA or UK, so the first time I heard of it was in relation to the movie (at this point I also have to confess, that I had a huge celebrity crush on Logan Lerman at that time…). However, now it is one of most read books in my library. I regularly come back to it and it is one of the books I always carry with me, when I am on holiday, being a staple, I always have to come back to. For a long time I did not want to share this book with my friends, maybe because of jealousy or fear of being judged. Like Gollum in Lord of the Rings, I wanted my treasure
For all of you that have been living under a rock for the last decades, here is a brief summary of “The perks of being a wallflower”: Charlie is a freshman. He is shy, introverted and intelligent. In letters to an unknown person, he navigates us through his first year of high school: his new friendships, his first dating experiences, his family life and all his experiences growing up. I don’t want to spoil anything, so this might be the shortest summary I have ever done :D.
It is hard to pinpoint exactly what I love about this book. Sure, it is not perfect, but it doesn’t matter. “The perks of being a wallflower” describes perfectly how it is to grow up. How difficult it is to speak up, to tackle family, friends and school, how hard it is to even find friends, make the right decisions and to know what you want. Ans also how tough handling mental health in your daily life can be. The book deals with topics like love, friendship, mental health and growing up, but also topics like family, self-confidence, trust and sexuality are covered. There are so many important issues that have been talked about in this book. Each time I read it, other subjects touch me and I think this is the reason why the book ages so well (with me).
Charlie points out at one point in the book, he often likes, after reading a good book, to talk to the author. I would love to talk to Stephen Chbosky! I am always in awe how he nails to describe exactly how it feels being a teenager. Charlie, as a character is developing so much throughout the book, becoming more and more confident in his own skin, but also, he starts facing his past, his problems and his manners that don’t do him well. For his age he is wise and heart-breaking honest, seeing and noticing things, everyone ignores or overlooks. He asks the deep and heavy questions of life, that nag at me weeks later. Next to those heavy, deep and depressing parts, there are so many light and warming sections about friendship, love and being young. I just feel being understand, that I am not alone in this world. This book changed my perception of the world, being now more than ever cautious of judging people. There are so many stories out there in the backpacks of each person’s heart. “The perks of being a wallflower” made me realise this. I come to so many realisations after reading this book- every time. And I know this might be silly, but often I feel like I am the book or I live in this book. The point where reality and fiction are one. I am beyond grateful for that.
I often wonder if I would identify myself with Charlie, we have some similar character traits, the same reading taste, as well as our perception of the world is alike. But I would not dare to compare myself to such an intelligent, wise, thoughtful and intent character. I think I just like to think I am as special as he is, but that is okay.
It is hard to wrap it all up because I could go on forever writing about “The perks of being a wallflower”. This probably has hardly been informative or helpful to anyone, but I hope you still enjoyed it. Like the title of the series, this book made me as a person and forms by perception of the world. I know I didn’t really do an argumentative job, writing this, but maybe I still could impart my feelings and thought. I just really hope you have read the book and if you haven’t you will do it sometime. And if you do, please think of me. 😉
Which book creates the same feelings as reading “The perks of being a wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky does to me, to you? What are the books that made you?
Stay curious and join me on my next episode of “Books that made me”, if you enjoyed this one as much as I did it!
Hope to hear from you!
Love, Giulia
P.S. I am so excited for “Imaginary friend” by Stephen Chbosky. You too?
What will your Verse be? 