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A review by sbarnes01346
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
1.0
This book was incredibly frustrating to read, in my opinion.
Charlie’s mental illness is the main topic of the book; but it felt like to me that it was merely mentioned every once in a while, which a new detail. There are some books where you read them and you can tell that the characters are fully developed, and then there is books like this. I suppose it could be purposeful - in the sense of an unreliable narrator, but it didn’t flow enough for me to put up with it.
Countless people have recommended me this book, and I cannot understand their love for it. To me, it was confusing and far too packed with things that needed to be defined further to be enjoyable. Are you meant to enjoy reading Charlie’s spiralling? To me, it just felt awkward, and far too unrealistic to.
The sub-plot with Sam was another thing that made me uncomfortable, as throughout the whole thing Charlie is pining for a girl who is reasonably happy in her relationship - and even when he has a girlfriend himself.
Besides, the ending felt far too abrupt for me to actually connect with Charlie, and his suffering.
I feel like the only thing enjoyable about this book to me is the literature references, and some of the quotes (‘and in that moment, I swear we were infinite’ probably one of the most famous quotes from this book) but even they felt unnecessary and overbearing at points.
I understand that this book is highly liked, and that many people probably feel very strongly against what I do. But in my honest opinion; I don’t understand the following this book holds. It felt empty, like a void of words that when strung together meant nothing.
Charlie’s mental illness is the main topic of the book; but it felt like to me that it was merely mentioned every once in a while, which a new detail. There are some books where you read them and you can tell that the characters are fully developed, and then there is books like this. I suppose it could be purposeful - in the sense of an unreliable narrator, but it didn’t flow enough for me to put up with it.
Countless people have recommended me this book, and I cannot understand their love for it. To me, it was confusing and far too packed with things that needed to be defined further to be enjoyable. Are you meant to enjoy reading Charlie’s spiralling? To me, it just felt awkward, and far too unrealistic to.
The sub-plot with Sam was another thing that made me uncomfortable, as throughout the whole thing Charlie is pining for a girl who is reasonably happy in her relationship - and even when he has a girlfriend himself.
Besides, the ending felt far too abrupt for me to actually connect with Charlie, and his suffering.
I feel like the only thing enjoyable about this book to me is the literature references, and some of the quotes (‘and in that moment, I swear we were infinite’ probably one of the most famous quotes from this book) but even they felt unnecessary and overbearing at points.
I understand that this book is highly liked, and that many people probably feel very strongly against what I do. But in my honest opinion; I don’t understand the following this book holds. It felt empty, like a void of words that when strung together meant nothing.