So, the trailer has blossomed onto the world of the Internet for all to see, and most to learn about. I am a huge fan of the book and yet was unaware of the trailer hitting the world wide web, but that did not taint my excitement.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky, is described as a ‘coming of age story’, yet it goes much deeper. The novel, published in 1999, has much more of an affect on the reader than humorous relation to embarrassing moments. Written in a series of letters by teenage boy Charlie, the reader is not taken through the standard, boring teen love story with the ‘huge twists and turns’ of failing a test and breaking up with a girlfriend. The personally composed letters sent to an anonymous receiver take us through the life of a socially-awkward boy that is welcomed into a group of friends that are completely out of the ‘relatable to the masses’ category. However, this out-of-the-ordinary status is actually what makes the book so relatable to everyone who reads it – you realise how it is different to the books trying desperately to relate to teenagers, and this enhances everything the book has to offer. We are taken through Charlie’s awkward life as he experiences drugs, girls, alcohol, family issues and the all important Rocky Horror Picture Show, and feel comfortably close to him as the story progresses. Chbosky does not stop at a nicely different storyline however, which is what makes the book the special little delight that it is. As Charlie experiences more with every letter that we read, everything we learn is seasoned with a message that is neatly hit home with the conclusion of the book. Chobsky does this by making Charlie a boy that does not complicate anything, and when complicated issues do crop up he solves them in a simple manner. Charlie does not judge anyone, and any bad sides that people have he does not blame directly on them, and personally understands that it could have been their nurture that made them that way. Charlie’s way of putting everyone before him, while appreciating the little things makes the reader feel slight guilt, but in an inspiring way. He is an observer that understands everything he sees, putting small things that we dismiss in ordinary life into a deep perspective.
Chobsky’s novel is one that sends you into moods you can’t describe and makes you cry for reasons you aren’t really sure of, but they are both welcomed things. Ordinary, awkward Charlie becomes an inspiration to readers through the humorous, sad and heart-warming events of his teenage life. I could not recommend the book more to anyone who enjoys a light, yet brilliant read…or to anyone in general. You simply cannot be cynical about the novel, and if you are then..your opinion is invalid. After reading the book you feel obliged to run through the town shaking it in the air, or feel the need to read it to your friends in a loud, excited voice without their consent. I, as a reader of the book, was sceptical about the trailer at first. Emma Watson as one of the protagonists just did not fit with me, I think I was still half expecting her to produce a wand and shout ‘EXPELLIARMUS’. However, I have now warmed to the idea since watching the trailer. As it progresses, it hints to a deeper meaning to the movie that I really hope is not half-heartedly portrayed in the film adaptation. The trailer also provides the sense that the movie could be a happy, glittery, sparkling, happy movie through and through – not hinting to the points of drug-use, among other things. However, I do have faith in the movie, and am not one to form solid opinions before seeing the whole version.
I can guarantee that most, if not all who read the book will enjoy it and leave it on the shelf taking away a smile of enlightenment and pleasant happiness. So let us all hope that the movie will do the same when it is released in late 2012…as well as a belly full of popcorn and bladder filled with held in pee.