Book review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chobsky

I picked this book up based on the hype surrounding the film. I wanted to watch the film but I hate to watch a film adaptation before reading the book it's based on. 

I was a little nervous about this one, due to the comparisons with Catcher in the Rye. Luckily, the protagonist, Charlie, is a lot less irritating than Catcher in the Rye's Holden. This book is interesting in that it is written in the style of a series of letters, addressed to an unnamed person. This leaves the reader with the somewhat unsettling sensation of Charlie writing directly to them, and almost makes them a part of the story. 

Charlie's writing style is very accurate to that of a 15 year old. It's unstructured, informal, peppered with monological wonderings and the need for reassurance. My diary entries from when I was at this age are written identically. I found this very relatable, as if I was reading back over my own diaries.

In fact, I was a lot like Charlie as a teenager. He's very bright but quiet and socially awkward. He manages to make a group of friends but remains somewhat of the outskirts of the circle and over analyses everything, allowing himself to dwell on the past and how he could have done things differently. Although he is sometimes insensitive, and doesn't seem to entirely understand social expectations, the reader is rooting for him all the way through. He seems to have an honest modesty that doesn't try to force the reader over to his side. 

Overall, this book is a modern coming-of-age novel. It's more relevant and relatable than J.D. Salinger's 1951 offering, with a more likeable protagonist and much more of a plot, which gives the novel more depth. Perhaps this will be the classic coming-of-age story in 50 years' time.