Did anyone else have trouble finishing this book?

[Ashley]

I couldn't finish this book. It was awful. Horribly written, with a jumping plot and no flow whatsoever.

[anthea]

I finished it, but it took me a LONG time because I found it really hard to get into. Half the time I was thinking 'Okay you're reading a book.. so what? Yep, I went to school as well back in the day, SO WHAT?'

But after re-reading it, I kind of understood it a little more.

[Michaela]

I liked this book, even though I am not into realistic fiction. It made me think of how other people feel everyday as opposed to what I feel.

[Nan]

I believe Perks to be this generation's Catcher. I have recommended it to many people to read. I think it is well written and the characters have depth.

[[deleted user]]

It wasn't awful. You just didn't like it. Objectively bad is things like inconsistencies, plot holes, things that lack explanation when needed. There's nothing wrong with not liking a book, but accusing it of things that didn't happen is very different. It wasn't your thing. It's okay to just say that. And even when it comes to an objective view, it doesn't determine taste anyway.

It took me three hours to finish it and I loved it. I think there's a book you might enjoy. It is also a short, coming-of-age novel with an interesting viewpoint, but the writing style is vastly different and it is made up of really short scenarios in a girl's life: it's called "House On Mango Street". Because if you normally like books that are like Perks, but didn't like that one in particular, you'll probably really like that one. Mango Street is probably one of my favorite books.

[C.I.]

I frickin' loved it. No trouble getting through it. Though, I've had other popular and acclaimed books that I couldn't finish. The final Divergent book is a recent example. Didn't like it at all. But "Wallflower," I adored.

[Lani]

This is one of the best books I have ever read. So truthful and so relevant. The movie was good too. The author did the screenwriting so it stayed truth to the story.

[Nickisha]

Nan wrote: "I believe Perks to be this generation's Catcher. I have recommended it to many people to read. I think it is well written and the characters have depth."

i wholly agree with you.

[Ahaqir]

It is one thing to say that you don't like it, but to say it is horribly written isn't justified at all considering how good the book really is. You should try reading it with an open mind and if you still don't like it, then put it down. The author wrote a amazing book that many people can understand and relate to. The structure of the book isn't common but it is effective considering how the book is written.

[C.I.]

I think it's okay to say something's "horribly written." It's an opinion and he's entitled to it. I disagree, of course. I think "Perks" is beautifully written, but does that mean it IS? Does my opinion make it fact? Some people think Hemingway is awesome. I don't. So who's right? It's all opinion and it's all valid.

[Suge]

I think the only reason I struggled to get through to the end is because I had a lot in common with Charlie as far as sexual abuse goes. I don't think it was horribly written, I thought it was pretty good. It is one of my favorite books though, and it helped me cope with my sexual abuse.

[Alicyn]

I couldn’t finish because my mom took it away, but I loved it. It did drag on in some parts, however, the more I read the more I liked it. It was wonderfully written and Charlie was such an innocent character. For a middle schooler it was very informative and will help me make safe decisions in the future. I was never one to like big parties anyway. Also, I will never fall for a guy just because he is hot or a jock. I will like him if he respects me and is a good friend. So, contrary to many adults beliefs, learned more good things from this book than bad.

[Shi'Asia]

I didn't care for the book, but I really enjoyed the movie. I think the book came off whiny and melodramatic to me. I think my hopes were too high for Perks.

[Teresa]

I didn't like very much! Everybody said that this book was incredible so I read it... I think it was a bad decision...

[Julie]

I think this book was one of the most incredible books I have ever read!! It was so well written and it is definitely this generation's Catcher!! I honestly believe it will become a classic and be added to the English curriculum as required reading in the near future.

[Chloe]

I fire through reading books like this normally but i just couldn't bring myself to finish it. I thought it was just me being picky on writing styles but I guess not.

[Leigh]

I don't think it was horribly written but I didn't care for the characters or the story. I read about one chapter and gave it up. Too rough for me.

[Indira]

It was short and it gave me a great feeling, I had no trouble finishing it, but I can see what it is you'd dislike.

[gina]

UGH! I hated this book ! It was the worst book i ever read it had no climax the plot was fucking boring !

[Taygus]

Better off treating the book, like you're reading someones diary, or you are the reciever of those letters.

It is not a book in the standard sense. The idea is to make Charlie "real" and those letters are him writing out his thoughts and "sharing" it with someone.

Imagine, you receive a letter with no from address. And another letter, and another. Read the book like that.
And I'll bet you enjoy it more.

[Ashley]

Sebastian wrote: "It wasn't awful. You just didn't like it. Objectively bad is things like inconsistencies, plot holes, things that lack explanation when needed. There's nothing wrong with not liking a book, but acc..."

It was awful.

[Ashley]

Ahaqir wrote: "It is one thing to say that you don't like it, but to say it is horribly written isn't justified at all considering how good the book really is. You should try reading it with an open mind and if y..."

Nope not trying to read it again. It is an awful book.

[Ashley]

C.I. wrote: "I think it's okay to say something's "horribly written." It's an opinion and he's entitled to it. I disagree, of course. I think "Perks" is beautifully written, but does that mean it IS? Does my..."

Exactly. It's my opinion. And I was asking for other people's opinions. And what do I get people trying to tell me that my opinion is wrong.

[Ashley]

Talia wrote: "UGH! I hated this book ! It was the worst book i ever read it had no climax the plot was fucking boring !"

Thank you! I completely agree.

[Suzanne]

Yes, it's a fluffy wuffy book I think. Just from watching the movie I knew I wouldn't want to read the book and be trapped in the vagueness of it. However if you want to take a risk on some fairly good acting watch the movie - I think the book for once doesn't go well on paper, but in fact actually works in reverse as a movie. Usually books just don't translate the other way to a movie. "Like Water For Chocolate" definite in that category. If you hadn't read the book you would be sitting in the dark for 1.5 hours wondering what the hell they are going on about and then saying there's 1.5 hours of my life I'll never get back...

[Madara]

No problem with that one. I finished this book in a single day. And really liked it.

[Sarah]

I think this is the kind of book that some people just don't like. I recommended it to my best friend because it's one of my favorite books and she didn't like it. She's still my best friend and we like a lot of the same books. I love Charlie and the book is very close to my heart. I finished it in less than 16 hours, but I can see how someone wouldn't like it. It just wasn't the book for you.

[The]

the book was good but it got depressive half way in and it was very hard to stick with i got very depressive when i was reading it the movie was also very depressive but have to say that emma watson was a good actor in the movie she is definitely a cutie!!!

[Gracie]

Personally I liked the characters but the book was a little hard to read to be honest

[Christell]

As much as it talked about the realistic issues teens face in today's society, it was hard to finish... Mainly because it always started with a diary entry and nearly every day, the main character rewrote the same things on his diary... but somehow I finished reading it. However, I was surprised to see that the movie was actually pretty accurate with everything that occurred in the book and it was definitely more entertaining. Didn't like the book much, but enjoyed the movie.

[Madi]

I felt like it was trying to make mental health issues, abuse, etc. seem trendy and romantic which was fairly offensive and angering to me. I can see why it appeals to others, though.

[Macy]

The only reason I didn't finish this book right away is because I watched the movie before reading the last 40 pages. I went back to it a few weeks later and didn't mind the ending. The book isn't my favourite, but I don't hate it either.

[Becca]

Michaela wrote: "I liked this book, even though I am not into realistic fiction. It made me think of how other people feel everyday as opposed to what I feel."

I have to agree with Michaela here. I did like it, but it really gave me a sense of how over people feel and think about different events. I did have trouble getting through it, though.

[Emma]

Madi wrote: "I felt like it was trying to make mental health issues, abuse, etc. seem trendy and romantic which was fairly offensive and angering to me. I can see why it appeals to others, though."

I'm just curious, what about it made you think it romanticized mental health issues and abuse?

[Madi]

Emma wrote: "I'm just curious, what about it made you think it romanticized mental health issues and abuse?"

It seemed like there was this subtextual message that his struggles made him an interesting and beautiful person. It just rubbed me the wrong way, it didn't seem like an honest depiction of a person struggling with mental health issues, but a romanticized one. That was just the feeling I got from it, reading from the perspective of a person with psychological and abuse issues.

[Meredith]

Yes, I had trouble staying interested in the book. For once, I actually enjoyed the movie better than the book. Didn't know if it was just me but I felt confused/lost during most of the book.

[Tammy]

I totally agree, I wanted to like it because of the movie hype. I barely finished it and then I definitely did not want to watch the movie. Still haven't.

[Kelly]

I don't really know why, but I didn't really like this book that much. It didn't take long for me to get into, I just don't think it was as great as everyone seemed to have made out. :/

[Michaela]

C.I. wrote: "I frickin' loved it. No trouble getting through it. Though, I've had other popular and acclaimed books that I couldn't finish. The final Divergent book is a recent example. Didn't like it at al..."

I agree 150% if that makes sense!

[Frida]

I completely loved think book, did not have trouble reading it, although after every pause of reading the book it made me think about things in a different persective and what Charie was going through. But I did like the book overall!!!