Blog post 3

A book is a getaway, a way to not think about worries about school, friends...life. Whenever I am having a bad day I read a book- and all of my worries seem to disappear. Sadly I am not able to read as much as I want to- and I am also a picky reader; I don't read certain types of genres or certain types of story's.

Book 3 project

Book 3 Review

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is told from a unique point of view, and the reader cannot help but feel a part of the main character, Charlie’s life. Stephen Chbosky the author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower told the story with a different writing styles; in the form of a diary. Charlie, a freshman in high school chronicles his life, his struggles and his achievements, although it was a diary, I found that none of the stories were irrelevant and unimportant; unlike a “usual” high school student would write in his diary. Charlie could be portrayed as many different kinds of heroes, but its’ all in the perspective of the reader.

                Charlie could be perceived as an anti-hero- “a hero that lacks the characteristics of a typical hero but the audience identifies themselves with… (Who) lacks courage, honesty or grace” (hero notes.) Charlie is perceived as a thin, clueless and who could be perceived as mentally handicapped freshmen in high school. While a typical hero would be strong, smart, and courageous.  The best attribute about The Perks of being a Wallflower how easily the reader can relate to Charlie. On several occasions I found myself feeling protective over Charlie, as if I was his oldest sister. Charlie is courageous, but not in the way of a “hero” he does what he can to help the people he loves; but his actions aren’t in the same scale as a hero. Charlie doesn’t think before he speaks-he is rather blunt, which could be characterized as honest.  The distinguishing trait Charlie has is his lack of grace-or no grace; Charlie is more of an awkward character who is just there.

                A romantic hero is “a character that rejects established norms and conventions, has been rejected by society” (hero notes,) Charlie is also identified as a romantic hero- in actuality he is the epitome of a romantic hero. At the beginning of the novel, Charlie doesn’t have any friends,” I don’t know how much longer I can keep going without a friend” (144 Chbosky.) he is the weird kid-the outcast. Charlie doesn’t really understand why he doesn’t have any friends; all he knows is that he has a popular older brother and sister. Eventually he stumbled upon Sam, and Patrick at a football game- and they became best friends. Sam and Patrick were “rejected by society” because Patrick is openly gay, and Sam is the new girl and Patricks’ step-sister.  The group of friends (Sam, Patrick, and Charlie) are constantly ridiculed; Patrick is bullied more than the others.

                As a modern hero- Charlie is not doing anything physical, everything Charlie is trying to overcome is mental. Charlie is trying to deal with the fact that his old best friend committed suicide, and his favorite Aunt Helen passed away. With Aunt Helens’ death, Charlie blames himself- he thinks that if she did not go out to get him a toy, she would still be alive. “Despite everything my mom and doctor and dad have said to me about blame, I can't stop thinking what I know. And I know that my aunt Helen would still be alive today if she just bought me one present like everyone else. She would be alive if I was born on a day that didn't snow. I would do anything to make this go away. I miss her terribly. I have to stop writing now because I feel too sad” (92 Chbosky.) Underneath the guilt, Charlie realizes with the help of Sam- what Aunt Helen actually did to Charlie. She molested him. Charlie has to figure out how to face his inner demons, and figure out what happened with him and Aunt Helen, and why she did what she did.

                Charlie is called a wallflower for his general passive existence-Charlie does not want to hurt anybody, and wants to help everybody. Which is different than a hero that most people think about.  Overall this book would be rated 5 stars- it is an amazing book that tells an accurate story about the hardships of high school, friends and family.