Very interesting read... This book has a unique structure. It is a series of letters Charlie writes, revealing his thoughts and experiences during freshman year of high school. We don't know, though, to whom he is writing or why; even they don't know each other. But after Charlie's friend, Michael, dies, he hears a classmate talking about this person and decides to begin these letters, calling him/her "friend."... The book is descriptive about what it's like to grow up and find yourself: friends, parties, family, etc. Typical teenager stuff... But behind this, I think there are questions and issues that confront everyone, perhaps most importantly - Is it better to be passive, quiet, understanding (a wallflower) or passionate, honest, self-assertive? Through his experiences, often troubling, Charlie finds his answer to this question...
The novel dragged for me during the letters where Charlie is more introspective. It moves along smoothly when Charlie is with friends or family and things are happening... Also, I didn't have the same sort of childhood as Charlie, so it was often hard to relate, but I think the questions and issues the novel raises are universal. For example, to connect Fred's earlier discussion about Frost in an earlier post, the choices Charlie makes seem like guesses and trying to simply do his best at the time. Like when he is dared to kiss the prettiest girl in the room, he is compelled to kiss Sam, not his girlfriend Mary Elizabeth. These choices drastically affect what happens to him next.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was quick and easy to get through. I thank Kristin Saxon for recommending it.
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