2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower: General Discussion *Spoiler Free*
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I've seen the movie, but never read the book. Will be picking this one up (figuratively as I'll be doing it on audio) in March 1!
I'm in for March. Book sounds interesting and didn't know there was a movie.
Been looking for an excuse to reread this book. I’m in.
Just read this for a February Buddy Read, so I may join in the discussion. :D
Read this a few years ago, didn't like it, won't be re-reading it, but I'll follow the discussion.
Count me in -- I watched this movie years ago - looking forward to revisiting the story
So excited for this. It's one of those books you want to read... you add to the list to read.. you may even grab it from the library once or twice... but never actually read...I watched the movie and was not a huge fan of it, but was told that there are differences in the book for the aspects of the movie I didn't like so I'm very excite to get this one read!
I am so excited to read this! I contacted my local bookstore and they should be able to find a copy before next week, which is great!! <3
I don't have the book right now but if I am able to get it am in
I'm curious for the people who have read at least some of it, do you think Charlie might be neurodivergent? I am neurodivergent (high functioning autist) and it seems to me he might be.
Skyler wrote: "So excited for this. It's one of those books you want to read... you add to the list to read.. you may even grab it from the library once or twice... but never actually read...I watched the movie..."
I have never been able to find to movie to watch, so I decided to read the book instead. I'm curious how the movie differs, though.
Fenris wrote: "I'm curious for the people who have read at least some of it, do you think Charlie might be neurodivergent? I am neurodivergent (high functioning autist) and it seems to me he might be."I was thinking along these same lines, Fenris. I'm about halfway through and something definitely seems off about him.
Fenris, I read the book this month for a Buddy Read, and I thought the same thing.
It's March 1 here so I've started on audio. I really like the narrator so far and it's engaged me. I realise now the book is a lot darker than the movie
Ashleigh, I agree about the book being darker than the movie. We're in Charlie's head so much more in the book and really get a look at the "darker" stuff he deals with.
I just joined this group and definitely going to read this one right from the start. I'm excited to start!
Downloaded the audio today and listened to about 20 minutes. Liking the narrator and it seems like it will hold my interest. Although so far it sort of reminds me of 13 Reasons Why.
SarahKat wrote: "Downloaded the audio today and listened to about 20 minutes. Liking the narrator and it seems like it will hold my interest. Although so far it sort of reminds me of 13 Reasons Why."That's interesting. I wasn't reminded of 13 Reasons Why but there is definitely a similar vibe, and quite a bit of darkness as well. Who narrates the audio?
Sergio wrote: "I just joined this group and definitely going to read this one right from the start. I'm excited to start!"Welcome to the group!
I read 1/2 half of the book and didn't care enough to finish it.
Fenris wrote: "SarahKat wrote: "Downloaded the audio today and listened to about 20 minutes. Liking the narrator and it seems like it will hold my interest. Although so far it sort of reminds me of 13 Reasons Why..."Noah Galvin narrates it. It's possible the only reason was the first 20 minutes (view spoiler) (not really a spoiler if you're more than 20 minutes in, but respecting the fact that some people like to start books knowing absolutely nothing of the plot)
SarahKat wrote: "Fenris wrote: "SarahKat wrote: "Downloaded the audio today and listened to about 20 minutes. Liking the narrator and it seems like it will hold my interest. Although so far it sort of reminds me of..."Thanks for the information. I've already read it, I was just curious about the narrator, in case I'd like to give it as a gift.
Fenris wrote: "I'm curious for the people who have read at least some of it, do you think Charlie might be neurodivergent? I am neurodivergent (high functioning autist) and it seems to me he might be."I am definitely getting the vibe that Charlie is at least somewhere on the spectrum and outside of what would be considered "norm," but maybe it gets overlooked because he is able to pass as neurotypical, but shy? I'm admittedly only 18% of the way through so I can't say for sure, but I do get the sense that we're seeing more of Charlie than the people around him, since we're privy to his innermost thoughts.
Echo wrote: "Fenris wrote: "I'm curious for the people who have read at least some of it, do you think Charlie might be neurodivergent? I am neurodivergent (high functioning autist) and it seems to me he might ..."That's a really good point.
The book and movie do not compare.. the book is so much deeper and symbolic. You get to be a part of his innermost chaos and victories in a way the movie failed to capture. I’ve found myself picturing an entirely different cast of characters than those in the movie.. looking forward to the discussions!
Grace, I must agree with you! It's not different in the sense of what happens, but I feel the book and the movie are so different in the feel of the book, as well as the raw emotion Charlie portrays. I enjoyed the movie but I don't think it compares to the book
I read this book years ago after my gay cousin said it changed his life. It didn’t resonate with me the way it did with him, but I did find it to be an enjoyable, quick read. I will follow this discussion
Read already. My most fav. Young Adult.
Bought it for my daughter a few years back, but never got around to reading it. If it's not too late, I would like to join the group read.
Had this for a long time on my TBR, finally have a reason to read it hahaha
Pauline wrote: "Bought it for my daughter a few years back, but never got around to reading it. If it's not too late, I would like to join the group read."Definitely not too late!!
I agree that he likely has some form of high functioning ASD, but that doesn’t take away from his character development and the plot - in fact I think it is part of what makes it enjoyable!
Dani, I definitely agree that it only adds to the story as well. :D
I'm finding Charlie so adorably naive about... Everything. Really enjoying the narration for this audiobook. Noah Galvin just feels like the 'voice' of Charlie. It's great
Dani wrote: "I agree that he likely has some form of high functioning ASD, but that doesn’t take away from his character development and the plot - in fact I think it is part of what makes it enjoyable!"I agree!
There's just something so great about the narration of this (text wise and because I'm listening to it on audio). This is actually probably my favourite audiobook I've listened to (maybe apart from Harry Potter haha). Noah Galvin is great!
Also, the further I get into the book, the more I agree about Charlie being ASD. The big standout to me is how literal he takes a lot of things said to him.
I just wanted to note if you have Netflix the movie will be added for streaming in April so can watch the movie after the read!I finished the audiobook last week. I was going to read my personal copy but decided to try the audiobook. It’s narrated really good by as you guys I’m sure already know, Noah Gavin. I’m glad this book was picked as I’ve been wanting to reread it for some time. Even though this book has a lot of hard hitting topics I was still left feeling good after the end.
Kristin Katsuye wrote: "I just wanted to note if you have Netflix the movie will be added for streaming in April so can watch the movie after the read!I finished the audiobook last week. I was going to read my personal ..."
Thank you so much! I really would like to see the movie and I do in fact have Netflix. I really enjoyed the book and liked how it covered the topics in question.
Is this, like, one of the few epistolary novels aimed at a teenage audience? This has remained a popular format since the beginning of the 20th century; a novel written from letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings, etc. Some of the most significant books of the last century were epistolary: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Shuusaku Endoo's Silence, and Alice Walker's The Color Purple.However, though epistolary novels are still written, letters as a format have fallen out of use. After all, who still writes letters these days? And they were rarely aimed at young audiences, leaning more towards diary entries or, these days, blog posts. But it seems like an effective format for The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Does this observation hold water?
John, I definitely agree that the epistolary style is fitting for this book & for Charlie's character in particular. He is an observer and a thinker and spends a lot of time in his own head. It's easier to organize one's own thoughts sometimes when they are written down.It seems like Charlie has a desire to be seen & heard & understood & loved despite not "participating" as much as he would like (or as much as other people think he should). That's why I think he would rather send these letters off to someone else instead of simply writing them down in a journal for his eyes only. He wants someone to read what he has to say. Even if he doesn't receive a response. He wants to feel like his thoughts & feelings & words matter to someone -- or that they are at least being experienced by someone else. It is an easier way to "put himself out there" while in the process of trying to learn to participate in person as well.
John wrote: "Is this, like, one of the few epistolary novels aimed at a teenage audience? This has remained a popular format since the beginning of the 20th century; a novel written from letters, diary entries,..." From what I've read about Chbosky, much of the story, including the letters to an unnamed individual and the characters, are based on the his own experiences. Chbosky wrote an anonymous letter to the screenwriter of Rebel Without a Cause, Stewart Stern. In the letter, Chbosky admits to be influenced by the play, and later Stern became his mentor. I generally dislike epistolary novels but in this case of this one it worked fairly well. In many ways I completely related to some of Charlie's inner monologue, which was unexpected.
Nowhere in Chbosky's discussions of his novel is there mention of autism, but I still believe Charlie to be a high-functioning autist, though sometimes PTSD has similar characteristics which might be more relevant given his experiences.
First I read the book before I saw the movie, and I found it excellent, light and intimate in many ways. A thousand times recommended
I finally watched the movie, as it returned to Netflix on April 1, and found it to follow the book closely. I loved that Paul Rudd played the English professor, but I did not like the actor who played his mom, who also played the mom of the girl who committed suicide in 13 Reasons Why (a terrible, devastating show). She is not one of my favourite actors, just something about her I guess. Is this feed still being updated? Are we moving on to another book soon?
I loved Paul Rudd as the English teacher as well. :DAs for a new book, there is a thread posted for this month's Group Read (The Green Mile) on the main group page. :)
Thank you! I won't be reading The Green Mile, too disturbing for me, as I saw the movie ages ago. I'll catch up with the club on the next book, hopefully that will be one I want to read.
This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being A WALLFLOWER
This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that the perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.
Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.