I read this book because I heard so much incredible talk about it on another site that discusses books for teens. It literally took me weeks to get my hands on a copy because they were always sold out at the Barnes and Noble stores near my home. I was a bit confused at first because one store kept the book in the YA section and another store shelved it in adult fiction. On top of all that when I finally got my copy I realized the book was published by Mtv and that really piqued my interest. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to reading it.
Now I don't want to push any buttons here, but I was sadly disappointed when I finished this novel. This is Charlie's story as told through a series of letters he writes to someone who is never named. Charlie is a confused teen who is in the middle of that horrifying stage of trying to figure out just who the heck he is. His life is interrupted by teen dating, sex, drugs, friends, and even repressed family trauma. As much as I wanted to like Charlie, I found myself just feeling sorry for him. I kept waiting for something major to happen to him, for one of those lightbulb moments when Charlie finally figures something out, and it never came. I wanted to see Charlie take hold of his life and make something of it but in the end he was just a teen without any drive or direction.
Some people compare this novel to the classic novels THE CATCHER IN THE RYE or even A SEPARATE PEACE. I wouldn't necessarily agree, however, if you like either of those books I would suggest you give WALLFLOWER a try.
Now I don't want to push any buttons here, but I was sadly disappointed when I finished this novel. This is Charlie's story as told through a series of letters he writes to someone who is never named. Charlie is a confused teen who is in the middle of that horrifying stage of trying to figure out just who the heck he is. His life is interrupted by teen dating, sex, drugs, friends, and even repressed family trauma. As much as I wanted to like Charlie, I found myself just feeling sorry for him. I kept waiting for something major to happen to him, for one of those lightbulb moments when Charlie finally figures something out, and it never came. I wanted to see Charlie take hold of his life and make something of it but in the end he was just a teen without any drive or direction.
Some people compare this novel to the classic novels THE CATCHER IN THE RYE or even A SEPARATE PEACE. I wouldn't necessarily agree, however, if you like either of those books I would suggest you give WALLFLOWER a try.
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