As One of the Wallflowers

Dear friend,

I've thought about this before and I think I'm a wallflower. I enjoy solitude, reading or writing. I prefer small intimate conversations over mingling with large groups. And more often than not, in a party or crowd, I just watch people do things from a corner, making observations or wondering. For this very reason was I drawn to reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

Charlie, a wallflower, anonymously sends letters to someone about his day by day experience in his high school freshman year. He writes about school, his favorite books and music, family, memories, love, the first friends he made- Sam and Patrick, and the things they did which made him feel infinite.

To me, this novel is like a fresher, contemporary version of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye which, incidentally, Charlie mentioned as one of his reading assignments. I must say though, 'The Perks' deserve recognition of its own since it is wittily written through Charlie's musings and is a lot more relate-able in essence than 'The Catcher'. 

"Even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there."

I would have liked the story better if the characters didn't do drugs. I believe drugs aren't necessary to take part of one's growing up. Another thing... I hate spoilers! Shame on them! I'm saying this 'cause without knowing it, I was spoiled of the book's ending (I read a random comment online)! When something was revealed, I wasn't as shocked as I imagine I'm supposed to be. Anyway, I realized 'being shocked' isn't the only point of the revelation. More importantly, it explains a lot of things and makes the reader think. 

All in all, this book is very nice. After reading, the more I reflect and discuss it with my sister, the more I appreciate it. I guess it's just one of those books, you know? I truly gained a handful of lessons. And maybe next time, like Charlie, instead of merely watching in a corner, pondering about life, I'd "participate" more in it.

Love always,

Martha