Hirobenhito

They never ask

They will never know

Resentment comes from weird places, mostly places that are left untouched,

and they will never know.

– me

***

I just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and it’s definitely a page-turner. I read it in less than half a day, and I find the story to be incredibly heartwarming. It explores deeply into the life of a teenager, which is told from the perspective of an observant and introspective character. I always wonder what goes through their mind as their gaze often times intimidates me, the gaze of someone not being fully present but enough to keep you feel safe around them.

One of the thing I love about the book is that it gives me a new perspective on what it feels like to have siblings. I don’t have much of that experience myself, so it was fascinating to see the complex dynamics at play. The way the book portrays sibling relationships is so real (I suppose? I’m just guessing). They can be like friends who don’t always care, but when they do, it’s significant. The family dynamic in general feels authentic, not broken, but not overly idealized either. It strikes the right balance, showing love in a way that’s sometimes unspoken, especially among the men in the family, like the dad and the brother, who aren’t as open with their emotions.

Charlie as the main character of this story is a very emotional person, he feels deeply, and that becomes both his strength and his struggle. I can relate to some of his ways of loving, especially his hesitance to cross boundaries. There’s a bitter moment near the end of the book when Sam questioned Charlie why he never asked her out. He explained to her that his love for her is so deep that he doesn’t want to make it seems shallow by pursuing a relationship. That might sound sweet, but Sam actually just wants him to be with her, to take that step.

It shows how sometimes love requires us to be a little selfish, to take risks rather than always holding back. Clearly, Charlie is not capable of that, just like me.

Charlie is someone who’s always in the background, the one who gives up things and never pushes himself onto others, especially the people he loves the most. It’s not that he’s not being himself, it’s just who he is. A naturally observant youngest child who prefers to lift others up rather than take the spotlight.

He is afterall, as his friends described him, a Wallflower. He sees things, he keeps quiet about them and he understands.

Things take a darker turn towards the end, especially with the revelation about Charlie’s aunt, which is shocking and unexpected. It adds a layer of complexity to the story that I didn’t see coming, but it is handled in a way that allowed Charlie to eventually start moving past it, finding a way to live with it rather than being consumed by it.

One thing that stands out to me is the chapter with mary elizabeth forceful romantic relationship. It pushes the idea that even the greatest listener can get frustrated when someone only talks about themselves. It’s a subtle but important point. Sometimes, even the listener needs someone to listen to them, and that, everyone has to posses a somewhat decent listening skill, even if they weren’t born with it.

What really draws me into the story was how it’s written like a letter, with Charlie addressing the reader as his friend. From the very first page, I feel like I was a part of his world, and that connection keeps me hooked. The way he ends each letter with “Love always, Charlie” adds a personal touch that make me wonder why he chooses us, the readers, as his confidant. By the end, he hints that we’re somehow part of his life, even if indirectly, which makes the experience feels even more immersive.

I also appreciate the straightforward writing style. It’s simple, but it fits the diary format perfectly. There’s no need for complex language when the emotions and experiences are so raw and relatable.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the kind of book that makes you feel deeply without forcing you to overanalyze. The character development is excellent, and the story progression feels just right. Not rushed, not too slow, but perfectly paced from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down.