Blogger Book Club Book Review Link up: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Happy Tuesday! 

I bet you all are super disappointed that I don't have a picture of myself holding a plum for you, but I will have it tomorrow. Today, though, I've got something better - a rant (known to some as a book review). If you have read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, feel free to grab a button and link up with your thoughts!
 
Now for mine. 

You guys, I was not a fan of this book. It was very easy for me to set aside, and I thought that it was a bit too graphic to be considered young adult fiction. Yes, I'm Mormon. Yes, I've lived in the midwest almost my entire life, which some people would say makes me naïve or sheltered. But you know what?! That does not discount my opinion here.
When there are paragraphs spent talking about masturbation, sex, and drugs, I tend to think that's a little too much for a young adult. Hell, that's a little too much for me. I cringed when I read certain sections of this book - it was just a little out of my comfort zone. Needless to say, I would not let my children read this. 

On a completely different note... WHAT THE EFF WAS UP WITH THAT ENDING?!?! I'm sorry, but to me that was a bit of a cop out. We see Charlie begin to come out of his shell and evolve as a character, and even think that he might be capable of pursuing a romantic relationship. Until the freaking last five pages of the book. His entire transformation as a character and as a person was just totally wiped out, and it pissed me off.

And REALLY?!? Aunt Helen??? I mean, come on. I just don't even see this as realistic. I don't know, I just really hated the end of the book. It was awful, and didn't lend anything to the overall development of the story.

As far as the writing is concerned, I didn't think it was too bad. I'm not a fan of the "dear diary" style, but it served its purpose - it let the reader know Charlie in a way that would not have been possible without this perspective. To me, that was so important because I got the vibe that Charllie was autistic, and that was a huge part of his character and the transformation that took place.

My grade for this book: a big, fat F. 
What did you think? Agree, disagree? Link up and tell all!

13 comments:

Kaity B. said...

I read that book forever ago but I remember finishing it and thinking "Why does everyone like this book so much?" I had a very similar reaction...not my cup of tea.

Alex, Speaking Denglish said...

I'm telling ya... Divergent. You'll love it!

Anna said...

you just saved me.
I had requested it at the library (since I saw you guys were reading it) but now, after seeing your grade for the book, I have no desire. thanks alyx!!!

Mia @ The Chronicles of Chaos said...

I so agree, Alyx! I definitely wasn't a fan either. I was sort of hoping the person that Charlie wrote letters to would write him back and be like "DUDE... what the EFF????" haha.

camillebradbury said...

I did a review also! http://eatprayandlovelife.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-bbc-perks-of-being-wallflower.html

I completely agree with you!

Why Girls Are Weird said...

I gotta disagree Alyx. I read this book awhile ago and although a little of it was bland for me I did still enjoy it. And I read A TON of young adult books and this was really out of the norm. I was a relatively good girl when I was younger but I know not all kids are like that and I think they want to read about kids that are like them, not "perfect."

I'm not saying that's where you're going with this and obviously you're entitled to your opinion. I just felt differently.

Then again, no one has to agree with me either!

rooth said...

Haha, I didn't read this book but laughed at your book review - many times I really want to yell at books that have let me down as a reader and assign them a big fat F!

Unknown said...

Newest follower here ~ I love that there is a book club blog! I haven't read Perks, but won't now! How do you guys pick your books? I'd love to read along and link up for the bbc :)

ericalookingtothestars.blogspot.com

Vapid Vixen said...

I haven't read it but being a Midwest Mormon doesn't mean your opinion gets discounted. If anything, being a Mormon outside of Utah means you get bonus opinion points. I remember being the only kid in 8th grade not allowed to read Catcher in the Rye. I got assigned Great Expectations instead. Only 5 million more pages. I don't think my Florida teacher liked Mormon kids. O_o

Sinead said...

I linked up my review :) I totally disagree! I loved the book, I thought it handled the content really well, and was beautifully written.

Anonymous said...

i totally disagree with you... but everyone is entitled to their own opinions :)

Danielle said...

I read this book years ago and I don't remember being impressed. I just remember being in jr high or high school thinking I had to act like I liked it because everyone else did HA! Glad I can agree with your post from what I remember! ;)

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