This book I read in 3 days. 3 days. Now most books take me at least a month to read unless required by school. And sometimes it takes me that long even if I do like the book. But every once and a while there is a book that I read, and read quickly. This book is an example of that.
It is written by Stephen Chbosky, an independent filmmaker (Four Corners of Nowhere) about this boy named Charlie who writes letters to some anonymous person or the reader of this novel. He writes about his life, friends, and life in high school. Seems like several teen books...right? Well, your assumptions are all wrong. This book is filled with great humor, and somehow seems to understand the teenage mind and it covers everything that most high schoolers go through, with such grace and honesty. It also references some of the best music, and film. (In my opinion) Charlie writes about meeting his friends, Patrick and Sam, and going to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with them, and all the costumes. And driving in the backseat of the truckbed listening to music that makes him feel "infinite" while in a tunnel. There's a lot of amazing moments in this book, so I just suggest reading it. It grabbed my heart by the end of Part 1.
I read this on a snow day, when there wasn't much snow. And that's what we call ironic. But I was talking to friends while reading, then decided around Part 3 I was going to listen to the mix Charlie created. It starts out with Asleep by The Smiths, amazing song, by the way. I found the song on YouTube and started to go down the list. Amazing, how the words of the book and the lyrics and tone/mood of the songs fit. They carried the feelings Perks had, but with music. It left me awe-struck and made me read more. I suggest reading this way. It is just better. I then switched to my own favorite music, and it still went with the book. It was so good.
I had a conversation with my friend because I mentioned his film which I wanted to see, and she was upset about how her favorite books never turn into good movies. They never do it justice. For a film lover, I do not want this book ever turned into a film. I like it in my imagination, it could never be better than what I imagine his family, friends, high school looks like. Wendy also mentioned that that was an "awesome book" and "now I have to listen to the Smiths." I completely agree. This book is awesome, and shouldn't be touched. I laughed while reading, and cried a bit too...fantastic. Another friend of mine (Lee) wrote how he looked up the playlist on YouTube also. I was listening to The Smith's song for the first time. It's an amazing book. This little post doesn't do it justice either. But I'm trying. This book is now in my favorites.
The music, the references, the style of writing, all of it is part of why it is so great. I love this book. I want to own a copy and own all the music and the the films referenced. The stories will forever live in my heart, and there are certain parts that will stick in your brain forever. It is well-written story of growing up, and the process of it. And it's not traditional, but that is why I love it.
Thanks for all the people who told me this book was great, I'm glad I picked it up.
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