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BR (12) The Perks of Being A Wallflower & Kafka on the Shore; Start date ----> 1st May, 2014
I think I'll give it a miss this time :-\ :-\ ... I'm totally engrossed into the Divergent series :-P :-P
Misha wrote: "I think I'll give it a miss this time :-\ :-\ ... I'm totally engrossed into the Divergent series :-P :-P"Okie tokes :) :) Enjoy your reads :)
Ok buddies.. I finished it... but somehow I think you two should discuss it..Hmmmm :PDivs.. how much longer for you to finish???
No Jins.. I did not like it...HmmmmAlthough I liked your review :) :)
Um, sorry Sri and Jins, but it might take me another 2 or 3 days to complete...... I am at my grandma's house and all my cousins are here and they are not allowing me to read.....So, can we start the discussion after 2 or 3 days?????
No issues Divs .. take your time.. was just asking :) :)
Oh, thanks guys. I'll try my best to complete it as fast as possible. I'm fine with Kafka starting on 15th.
Ya -- your review was far better than the book.. in fact loved your letter to Charlie more than his letters :D :P :PAnd yes please Kafka after the 15th only... got lots to finish :D :D
My two beautiful buddies.. Now that we have all finished this book.. When are we going to discuss it??? :) :)Remember age is not on my side... so I might end up forgetting all my points if you delay it further... already I have forgotten some :P :P
Great... now only Divs has to come here :D :D
Good girl. now are we ready to discuss??
Ok.. then lets start by first talking about whether we liked the book or not and our reasons.. I will go first as I seem to be in the minority :P :PI did not like the book.. Firstly I found the character of Charlie to be very weak. Yes it is a young adult book and young adults go through those problems but what irritated me most was the fact that Charlie chose the easy way despite having a loving and supportive family, to whom he could turn to at any point.
Secondly, the whole mystery of using false names and not wanting to divulge and yet divulging everything is another irritating factor for me. I understand the need for secrecy but why should the author write it in such a way.
I would however, give some points for writing as I found it easy to read. Nothing spectacular but it was an easy read without any glaring faults (at least none that I can think of now) so that was a saving grace.
The letters became extremely morose and mundane in their narration. Also the fact that these were problems, serious problems, addressed by the author but without providing any solution made it totally irksome to me as a reader..
What do you guys think
I.....liked the book, but it didn't move my heart. I think it is due to the fact I have a wonderful life as a teen, and I can't even imagine this sort of problems. But I understand why everyone felt so moved by this book. Charlie didn't make much of an impression on me, but his life did. ( But seriously, Charlie has one really screwed up life ). He faces so many problems, without any gap. I am thankful that my life isn't so bad.
I liked this book. But not in the way everyone liked it. I like it as a story, but not as inspiration. The letter format is new to me, and I enjoyed reading the story in that way.
My favorite character was his teacher, Will, who was the only peaceful person in this book.
PS - This is what I will be typing in my review as well, I can't write a totally new thing, maybe I'll add a few new things. Is that okay???
Hmm.. Jins.. what made you think that he had autism or some personality development problems. I agree with the personality development to a certain extent but then I believe it was due to the fact that his Aunt Helen molested him (at least that is what I understood from the ending), which led to his confusion. There is no mention in the writings to indicate any problem other than a great depression that he was undergoing.Yes I agree with you on the fact that American teenagers are purported to be a confused lot. however, that does not excuse the author from trying to provide something inspirational to them. In fact, this book according to me tells those same kids that it is okay to be the way they are...
@Divs - I agree with you nothing moving or inspirational and that was what bugged me. I wanted it to be inspirational or at least motivating. With the exception of the last few words that he utters, the entire book was more of narrating his sob story...
@Jins -- you liked the book as well as the way in which it was written.. Share some of your points na?
I agree with you on the hope aspect Jins.. In fact, that is what prompted me to give it a higher rating than I would have :PHowever, I believe that even at the end he seemed extremely confused. One question that comes to my mind is will Charlie really take this lesson to heart and change. While I definitely hope he does, I sincerely don't see him doing it.
What do you both think? Will he change for the better after high school?
@Divs --you can add anything to your review.. this is just a discussion. :) :)
@Jins -- As I said earlier, I liked your review more than I liked the book. Was moved more by your review than the book itself :D :DHmm with regard to his not connecting with others, I believe him to be socially challenged than autistic. At least that is my opinion. I say this because he does not exhibit any other symptom of autism, like for example repetitive behaviours, constantly doing something and not wanting change etc. he thrives on change to a certain extent. he likes trying new things, even when they are wrong. It is just that he does not connect well with people.
I agree with you in terms of the writing. It is good and felt as if he were writing to the reader. just wish the writings had been less morose and a little happy :P :P
Btw what do you think of the title.. is it apt? And do you think that there are some perks of being a wallflower...
Personally, I feel that there are a no perks :)
I agree with you on the title part :)Btw where is Divs???
We decided 15th na.. lets start then only.. I have some books that I need to finish before starting Kafka.. including Mistborn 2, else Manju will kill me :P :P
Divs is here!!!!!( Again. I need to think of more titles, lol)Actually, if I didn't know anything about this book before I started reading it, I would have assumed by the title that this was going to be a cute, simple read.
After reading, it does feel sarcastic, like Jins pointed out.
I have loads of books to complete this month too....so lets start on 15th only....:):)
Cool.. Jins.. you are the one who has to now say if 15th is okay with you?
Jins.. go ahead and read it if you want.. we can discuss it after we finish... We however will start only after that... :) :)
Lolss Jins... all I meant was it was okay if you wanted to go ahead... :) :) I know you're dying to read that book :P :P
I heard that If I stay is really good, Jins. Let me know what you think of it. I am also going to read it soon, before the movie....:)
Wow, cool discussion you guys are having here. I so want to join but I haven't read any of those books :P:P (and I have a lot of books on my plate so...)Btw, have you started reading My Sister's Keeper, Sri? Don't make me hunt you down :P:P
No Fong.. haven't started it yet... Will do so after I finish Mistborn 2 :) :)
Hey Jins and Sri, Have you both started Kafka?
Divs.. I will be starting it tomorrow... and I think Jins has already started the book... :)
Aww, Jins, I hope you recover fast :)I'll start tomorrow too, Sri!
Take your time Jins.. no hurry...How are you now? better than before I hope? No fever?
Not yet, still have just a little bit more...Maybe tomorrow ^^
Lolsss Jins... you did not respond to my song specially sung for you on the thread... :D :D
Boooohooooo... Am crying now :( :( :(
Btw... are you going to ignore me during the book discussion also?? :( :( :(
Fong - Walnut Heart (small, tough, on the wrinkle side) wrote: "Sad Sri is sad :("Am really sad right now Fong... :( :(
What did Sri do?? Was she being naughty?? :P
Arre.. Ok will call u Jhansi ki Rani... now happy???
Hmmmm.... nobody understands a good joke anymore.. and they call themselves sarcasm enthusiasts and people with sick sense of humour... guess it is all one sided.... :( :(
Aw...don't fight, it breaks my heart...Sri: never call myself a sarcasm enthusiast, I'm sardonic :P:P
nothing Mish.. that was not for all but for someone special :P :P
Btw have you started Perks??? We are going to discuss it soon.. Jins has finished, Divs is on her way to finish and am just starting... :P :P