The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Critical response

*SPOILER ALLERT*

(Just a warning because you will probably hate me forever)

We all know what it is like to grow up in a place where there are influences we have to deal with and decisions that we have to make. And whether you are in 1^st grade, 8^th, or 12^th, we all have dealt with the social pressures of school. But by the time we get to high school, we have been through a fair amount of school to have an idea of what to expect. Now imagine having to start school for the first time after being in the hospital for a while. You wouldn’t know what to expect. This is a little like what Charlie has to go through. Over the break, I finished the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. Although it was a fairly long time ago, the book is still fresh in my mind. It was a really intense and emotional book, and at some points I had to actually put (or throw) down the book because it was painful to read anymore. Part of the reason I think the book was so intense was because of topics that I think some people find uncomfortable to talk about, such as sex, drugs, and extreme social rejection.

The thing is, these topics are at large today and would be unfair not to talk about them because it is a part of what goes on in society. In fact, the author talks about them in a very blunt manner through Charlie, the main character. Charlie has never been to high school before so I think he just accepts what he sees, causing for a very matter of fact story telling. So, there were two critical thinking questions that were going through my mind as I reflected on this book. One was about the difficult problems and issues that were mentioned in the book, and that I mentioned earlier. These issues like drugs, sex, suicide and crazy parties that are mentioned in The Perks of Being a Wallflower are real issues, and the book is about having to grow up in a world where these issues exist. And sometimes, it is a little uncomfortable to read about, but I think the book is supposed to have a little harsh tone.

Which brings me to my next topic and critical question- at some points in the book, do you find yourself resisting the writing and characters? My answer is yes. Actually a lot during the book I found it hard to read and I disagreed with the characters choices. For example, the main character Charlie, who is told later that he needs to stand up for himself and make his own choices, often takes everything literally and seriously, and sometimes it hurts to see his goodness. He is too innocent and good yet stupid at the same time. At one point in the book, his best friend is having a crisis, and Charlie lets his friend kiss him when he is drunk, or even just sad, but he never said a word to anybody. Another time, his other best friend who told him not to think of her romantically breaks up with her boyfriend. When she asks Charlie why he never made a move, he sais something along the lines of “Because, even though I wanted to, at that moment your happiness was more important than mine.” When I read that, I wanted to cry.

This book, while touching and beautiful, is also heartbreaking. What I liked about it was that it was down to earth, and real. Even if that realism it had to be “the 10th most challenged book on the American Library Association's list of the 100 most banned or challenged books of 2000-2009” because of controversial topics in the book. But, on the other hand, those topics are ones that are still around today, and we can’t just keep avoiding them. But just as a book, I think it was marvelous.