Chbosky vs. Salinger

Browsing my class blog I noticed a link posted on the left side linking to the American Library Association's list of banned/challenged books. Upon the list I noticed a title of a book I had just finished reading last night. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, a coming-of-age tale written in the form of letters. Okay this may sound weird, but, do you know the feeling you get when you just finish a great book? I describe it as an orgasm of the mind, a mindgasm, if I may. I love that feeling and I got that feeling with this book. Now, I've read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, and I didn't feel that. Not to say the book was bad, I know for some people it's life changing, maybe I was too young to understand, but the book confused me. In 'Perks' towards the end of one of Charlie's letters he writes, "Bill gave me one book to read over the break. It's The Catcher in The Rye. It was Bill's favorite book when he was my age. He said it was the kind of book you made your own. I read the first twenty pages. I don't know how I feel about it just yet, but it does seem appropriate to this time..." The kind of book you made your own, I think I'd definitely have to agree with that. However, I don't think I read enough into it to make some kind of connection to the 'Catcher.' I might just have to give it another read. Not to really say I identified with Charlie in 'Perks' but I did understand some of the things he would write about. As for Holden, from what I can remember while reading, I thought he was strange. Both novels share the unconventional characteristic, but I would have to say I did enjoy 'Perks' a lot more. This probably would also be, because I'm a lot more level headed, older and have more of a mature mind than I did when I read 'Catcher'. 'Perks' is ideally not for everyone, but I don't think it should be banned in schools, especially high schools. A place where kids face the kinds of things the main character goes through, on a daily basis. Sex and sexual identity, drugs, alcohol, suicide and just the social casualties of life. I think they should much rather be aware than shut out completely and be blind when faced with any of those situations. Overall, I give The Perks of Being a Wallflower a thumbs up. Also, I'm thinking I should give Salinger another try, it might make a lot more sense now.

Here are some quotes that stuck out to me in 'Perks' that I'd just like to respond to.

"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."

-This to me describes the life of if not all, most teenagers, even adults. There are ups, there are downs, there's the questioning and confusion of how you could be living in both emotions and why. It is possible to feel both and it's important to not let either one consume you entirely. Both can be a restriction on your life. Whether sad or happy, most would prefer the latter, but you know that quote "It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."? To me, it's kind of like that. Being sad of course isn't fun, but it could help put life into perspective. What's really worth your time, happiness or pain?

"Something really is wrong with me. And I don't know what it is."

-Somewhat same as the first quote, I'm sure if not all, most people have said or thought this to themselves, I definitely have. It doesn't have to be a mental disorder, but just something bothering you that you just can't put your finger on. One thing, don't just allow people to tell you something is wrong with you, or tell you you're a freak and believe it. Once you recognize it, whether bad or good, you're starting to identify with yourself and that's good. If you truly believe you have a mental disorder, talk to someone, as much as you protest, it can help things. I decided not to talk to someone when I had problems and it ended up badly. I won't get into that right now, maybe some other time.

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

-This was at the point of the book where Charlie is talking about his Aunt Helen's troubles in life with abusive husbands and what not, but it is very true. If you don't feel you're worth it, you won't accept anything better than what you think you can find. This leads me to the next quote...

"Everything can't be self-esteem, can it?"

-This is at a completely different part of the book but it can be related. If you can't love yourself how can someone else? Confidence is important. Not the cocky "I think I'm the sh.t, I'm so hot" confidence, but the confidence where you can say to yourself "I am worth it." or when you can believe in yourself. Nothing will get better if you don't allow it to and if you don't allow it in yourself to see that you deserve better.

“Sam and Patrick looked at me. And I looked at them. And I think they knew. Not anything specific really. They just knew. And I think that's all you can ever ask from a friend."

-When you find that person who can look at you and know what you’re feeling, hold onto them. This is a person who you’ll be able to confide in. This is the person who despite all your quirks will still be there when everyone else goes away. This is the person who although doesn’t necessarily shout it to the world, does care about you. You’ll notice it in the smallest gestures, in things that they say that normally people wouldn’t think twice about. Also, even if you don’t realize it right away, you’re that person for someone else. If you have friends, cherish them. Don’t be a fake, and people don’t waste your time with fakes. Choose your friends wisely, I don’t know how much I or anyone else can stress that. Don’t be susceptible to people who are only interested in what you have or what you can give them. Those are not your friends. And be careful, everyone is an actor in some way or another.

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”

-When you have that moment, remember it. Fabulous line, the end.

“I have to stop writing now because I am too sad.”

-Just kidding, but it’s a nice touch, eh? =)