The Perks of Being a Wallflower (From Page to Screen)

[Rachel, First Lady]

Now that March is upon us, it is time for us to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

How is it so far? Who's seen the film?

[Lynossa, Resident Connoisseur]

I like the book a lot. I've written my review about it - kinda forget a bit what I'd written though. I've seen the movie as well; it's not as good as the book. Charlie in the movie is not as troubled as Charlie in the book. Emma Watson was okay as Sam although she often slipped to British accent here and there.

[Blanches]

i've heard a lot of good responses about the book, so i can't wait to read it..is the film not as good as the book? maybe i'll watch it first then read the book. ;)

[Rendila]

I really feel like Ezra Miller did justice to the Brad character. Brad is my favorite of all the character from the book because of his awesome weirdness. Brad was just basically the foil to Charlie. I agree with Lynossa with the comment of Sam which was played by Emma Watson in the movie, she did sometimes slip into her Brittish accent but overall she did okay.

[Lynossa, Resident Connoisseur]

Brad? You mean Patrick?
I agree with you, Patrick in the movie is as awesome as - or even more than Patrick in the book. I think Ezra Miller outshines everyone in the movie.

Btw, the movie isn't screened on theater in Indonesia - as far as I know. Do you have any idea why? Is it because of the gay issue?

[shanghao]

Oh dang I was really looking forward to the film and it's not being shown in indo? I guess I'll read the book first then.

[Reza, The Curator]

Just got my copy. Will start tonight.

[Namida]

I've finished this book a week a go. I like it! Much wisdom in that book... i prefer the book than the movie.. There's scenes that i think is important but dont exist in the movie. Such as when Charlie's sister do abortion..
Well, teens always full of their troubles, right...i think everybody experience that as well.

I like Charlie character..so sensitive, a thinker, and i think, after all that happened with him in his earlier years..he become mature than his peers.

The movie is good, but it isnt as detail as the book. Well, i think you can find the dvd everywhere..the original or not, well, what's the difference rite..hehehe..

[Blanches]

nice book! but, i doubt charlie was actually 15.The letters looked like being written by 11/12 y.o kid. but other than that, this book is really good..

[Rachel, First Lady]

I loved both.

I read the book first, a while ago and I remember really, really liking it. Then I saw the movie early this year, and I thought it did the book justice. Clearly the standout was Ezra Miller as Patrick, but I thought Logan also played Charlie really well too (initially, I didn't think he had it in him after watching Percy & The Musketeers, but he showed his acting prowess in The Perks and I was sold). I thought the overall casting was on point actually, apart from Emma as Sam, but it's not like she was completely horrible. She was not the best, but she was OK.

And this book gave birth to one of my favourite quotes, "We accept the love we think we deserve."

True much?

[Reza, The Curator]

I finished it in one sitting. Fun book. Let me dig into some of my Kindle highlights.

She really didn't say any more other than that, although she kept talking. >> Nailed it. We've all been in this situation.

(about the kids sledding in the hill) And all of those kids are going to do the things we do. And they will all kiss someone someday. But for now, sledding is enough. >> Love it.

She asked me very long questions that were really just her ideas with a question mark put at the end. >> Ha!

Vincent, who took acid and tried to flush a sofa down the toilet. >> I swear I laughed so loud when I came across this sentence I might've woken up my neighbors at 1 in the morning. I mean I can't really picture the visual but it only made it even funnier. ROFL.

Be skeptical about this one. It's a great book. But try to be a filter, not a sponge. >> Bam!

It's strange the times people choose to be generous.

She wasn't bitter. She was sad, though. But it was a hopeful kind of sad. The kind of sad that just takes time.

All in all, an evening well spent. :D

[Rachel, First Lady]

Watch the movie, Reza and tell us what you think!

[Reza, The Curator]

Will do! I'm interested to see the casting choices.

[Sheva]

I read it without expectations. I want to read this book like 2 years ago, but I still remember the thin that made me forgot this book for 2 years: I went to the cashier, then I forgot that I don't have enough money.

But, I finally read it though! Hehe

I cried at some parts that I found shocking and made my tearduct worked so hard.

I watch the movie and also discuss it with my friends, and clearly there are some parts that I hope could be in the movie too, like more about Charlie's friend that mentioned at the beginning, and yeah about his sister's abortion.

I really like the characters. Charlie, Sam and Patrick. It made me miss high school. I'm not really a wallflower like Charlie but I could relate myself to him. Sometimes I just see things, keep quite and understand. I also feel painful with Patrick's relationship, what happened to Sam, and also the troubles that Charlie had to cope with.

I also like the pop culture references, the books, the music, the Rocky Horror Picture Show :)

Things that I like from the movie: it was as good as the book. It has Ezra Miller. He's a scene stealer! Logan also suits with the character, even his face looks more innocent than I pictured when I read the book. And I love Sam. I also love the tunnel song, more than the book's tunnel song.

[Sepsun Pasaribu]

I should have watch the movie first. Sometime it's better to watch a movie first then to read the book because then you can fill in all the holes or what missing from the movie. Do it otherwise, you will somewhat disappointed cause of the missing details. However this is understandable due to the limited length of a movie.

[Reza, The Curator]

@Sepsun: I'm kinda the opposite. If I can help it, I'd refrain from watching film adaptation of books I intend to read, not even the trailer. And nowadays I stop expecting adaptations (movie/tv) to be as good as the book (let alone better than), cause that's just rarely ever happen.

[Hayatun]

Who do you guys think Charlie's writing to?

I like both the book and the movie, they're both awesome! Though, I think Lerman didn't really capture the innocence of Charlie, but I still like the movie. I also think Emma Watson did well for portraying an American girl, god, she must've worked quite hard on the accent. And the book is amazingly written. I feel that it's really heartfelt ;_;

[Rachel, First Lady]

I'm also like Reza; I much prefer reading the book first before seeing the movie. I actually make it a point to read the books of the movies I'm interested to watch if I know that they are based on a book. Most of the time anyway.

Hmm, I actually thought that Logan captured the innocence of Charlie really well. I mean, I was 100% sold.

[Reza, The Curator]

Watched the film. It's not disappointing. It captures the spirit of the book. Lines are delivered like how I imagined it. If anything, it's Emma Watson. Her acting wasn't bad per se, it's just I didn't really see Sam in her. *shrug*

[Sepsun Pasaribu]

@hayatun well it's a tough question But I guess maybe Charlie is writing to an imaginary friend. He's kinda lonely. I mean in the beginning he didn't have friends (his only friend Michael have just commit suicide). Even when he befriended Sam and Patrick, there were times when he was alone (like when he broke up with Mary E). And of course the way many people talk to Charlie about their problems but there are no one Charlie can talk to about his problems.

Another point is that it's the author way to reach to teenage readers. The perks contains many teen issues: rape, drugs, LGBT, teen suicide, bullying, family issues, teen pregnancy, sexual harassment etc. Even near the end when it talks about two brother who were raised by an alcoholic abusive father clearly show there are moral message in the story.

BTW I look this book in the store, there are some questions in the back. Could anyone post them here so we can answer them together. (I read the ebook version)

[shanghao]

Just started reading today. I like it for a fact that Charlie said he appreciates someone who just listens and understands and not sleep with people even if they could, and how 'rare' such people are (according to him), when in fact, these characteristics are probably acknowledged by whoever is reading the book as being their own - thus, everyone could almost acknowledge themselves as these 'rare' people - a special snowflake of sorts.

[Dini]

I thought Charlie sounded a lot younger than his age. He's also a bit too innocent and clueless... I wrote in my review of this book that he gave me so much secondhand embarrassment.

I haven't watched the movie, but I think Patrick is the strongest character in the book so I'm glad to hear he also shone in the movie, and that the actor did his character justice.

I felt Charlie was writing to an imaginary older friend, someone he thought would be wiser. At school he was also friends with older students and was close to his teacher.

[Samantha]

Just read it this evening - it's late, so for now I'll just link a review that I found to describe exactly what I thought about it, before I write my own: Tatiana's review of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

I guess I'm in the minority here, as I thought it didn't live up to its hype.
I'd rate it 2.5 stars, if I could.

[Hikachi]

@Praesenti: You're not alone. I don't think the book is worth being that hype. I mean, from the way it's delivered. Charlie is one disconnected person with a twi-- simply shy personality and inability to be "more common". When of course, that's how most people feel during that age. And in Charlie's case, he's enjoying it. He enjoys being nobody and have no problem with it. And I totally agree with the review you linked. xD

Patrick is my favorite character of course, cause he's the only round one when the others are so flat board. The changes/development in Charlie on what he knows of how he supposed to act aren't enough for me to think that he's a round character who was changed at the end of the story.

[Lynossa, Resident Connoisseur]

I don't think Charlie is simply a shy common person. Toward the end we can see the reason behind his attitude and behavior; I think the effect of being molested as a child but at the same time the feeling of guilt that he was the reason behind his aunt's death is what made him become who he was.

[shanghao]

Oh noes I haven't gotten to that twist yet! I knew he's being treated for something but don't know the cause.

Charlie comes across as younger than 15 though. It also seems as if his way of expressing thoughts and emotions are sort of stilted, to the point that sometimes I thought he's kinda autistic, considering his age. Then again maybe that's just me.

[Lynossa, Resident Connoisseur]

Sorry sanshow! I thought everyone'd read it. I should've put in spoiler.

[Rachel, First Lady]

I agree with Sanshow's view on Charlie; how he seems younger than 15 and coming across as a tad bit autistic. And I think, as Lynossa explained, that this is most likely because of what he went through as a child. His emotional and mental growth is probably greatly affected by it.

[Reza, The Curator]

Oops. You still can put it in spoiler though, Lynossa. You mind? :)

[shanghao]

Lynossa wrote: "Sorry sanshow! I thought everyone'd read it. I should've put in spoiler."

No worries :) it's just that I've got a lot on my hands now and am reading this very leisurely. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it this weekend.

[Dini]

I went by a 21 cinema yesterday and saw that Perks have started playing on midnight shows -- yay!

[Biondy]

Finally finished it at 1 in the morning :D
will write the review ASAP.

edit: you can read my review here

I think it's a lovely book and I love the letters concept, although, thanks to the concept, sometimes I found myself thinking whether Charlie is an unreliable narator or not.

[Andrea]

Here you can read My review. http://susunanbuku.blogspot.com/2013/.... I think this book is unique.

[Jezz]

Hey guys, i know it is sooo late that i just read the book today, but here i am just finished reading the book in one sitting! (I was amazed that reza read the book in one sitting before, but turns out the book is so one-flow-easy-to-read kind of book!)

The book is well written i think, i know the kid is troubled, but still kinda shock to learn the truth in the end. I just thought he was just troubled, different, out of the ordinary kid. And i did cry here and there while reading it, and looking forward to watch the movie!

Anyway, this is my first comment in the group, will re-read 'and then there were none' after this, and looking forward to be able to join the next discussion for my second comment!

Cheers!

[Reza, The Curator]

Hi there Jezz, good to have you here. And no it's not that late. Anyway, enjoy the film and looking forward to see you around.

[Linda]

I've seen the movie but haven't read the book, just sampled a few pages here and there, but I think it's interesting that the author also directs and writes the script to the film. Maybe that's the reason the movie does quite well, cos the author has complete control of his work. Hopefully more authors will have this kind of control over the screen adaptations of their works.

[Femmy]

Finally saw the movie on HBO. Good movie, good story. Loved seeing Hermione, er, Emma Watson doing American accent, hehe... I'm glad I didn't read the book, though. The issues covered in the book are so alien to my life (both now and back when I was a teen) so I think I would've found it difficult to relate to the characters or the story.

[Patricia]

I've seen the movie in an airplane and I liked it. I didn't really understand the plot then so I'm planning to read the book. I heard good reviews about it. I'm really looking forward to reading it.