Dear Friend - Read This Book
If you are looking for an easy read then give The Perks of
Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky a go. It is written from the perspective
of a teenage boy, so the writing is simple and gentle. The story is simple,
too. But it is very entertaining. It’s the perfect book for those looking for
something that doesn’t take too much brainpower to read.
Main character Charlie begins writing letters to an unknown
person. He refers to this person only as ‘friend’. Through these letters,
Charlie tells ‘friend’ about his life as a freshman. He is awkward and shy. His
one true friend has killed himself. He doesn't really have anyone else.
Then Charlie meets older, cooler kids. They take him under
their wing and they call him a wallflower. Charlie feels like he has found his
place.
It is obvious right from the very beginning that something is
not right with Charlie. Why is he writing to someone who he does not know? Why
is he so anxious and quiet all of the time? What happened to him to make him
this way? Why doesn’t he remember himself?
From the very beginning you will know there is going to be a
twist. It is just written that way. Still, I didn’t manage to guess what it was
successfully – though some people I have spoken to did. Reading the twist is
like watching the last few minutes of a tense episode of Eastenders. As all
becomes clear all the little hints from along the way suddenly slot together,
and no one is particularly surprised by the overall outcome.
If you are anything like me you wont be satisfied with the
overall ending. I felt like it hadn’t come to enough of a resolution. I wanted
to keep reading about Charlie and his life, because I didn’t feel wholly
satisfied that his story was over. I am not sure whether that’s a good thing or
a bad thing. It is important, I suppose, for a book to invade your life enough
that you feel a bit lost when you finish reading it. Still, I am not sure it is
positive to leave your audience feeling that they don’t know enough.
Still, I am happy that I read it. Recommended for bedtime and holiday reading.
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