#41 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I bought The Perks of Being a Wallflower because I never thought I was actually going to be able to see the movie (starring Emma Watson and I love her!) and then I suddenly found myself having a date night on Saturday and going to see the movie.  Oh well.  Some of my favorite books were read after I saw the movie (Charlie St. Cloud, Confessions of a Shopaholic).  But not this one.  While I wouldn't say that I loved the book, I will say that I loved the movie.

The movie version left me in tears.  I was totally engrossed and emotionally invested in the movie.  I ached for Charlie as he searched for that one friend, that one friend who would give him a chance, the one friend who would make him feel as though he belonged.  I left the theatre and prayed for my own daughters, praying that they both would always have just one friend who accepted them for who they are.  Life can truly be painful without a friend. I rejoiced at the end of the movie, as hope took over and made me smile. 

Then, I read the book.  There are a few plot differences, which shouldn't be surprising, as the movie version of a book is rarely the same.  But, the biggest difference for me, and the one that is making me write this blog as I am, is that while the movie made Charlie seem endearing and just shy and wallflowerish, the book made him seem socially backwards and a little annoying. This made me angry, actually, because Charlie's character in the movie is so sweet.  He's so loving and such a good guy, a guy who just wants a friend and who isn't afraid to be alone, but would just prefer to walk through life with a buddy. 

I can't even say if I'm glad that I read the book.  I think, honestly, that I am a bit disappointed in it.  It's hard for me to think of the possiblity of loving a character in a movie, but being irritated by the same character in the original book.  I just think it's strange. 

So, I guess the short version of this story is that I would recommend the movie.  Skip the book. 

Did I just type that? 

Happy viewing.  Eat some popcorn for me.

Off to begin The Hobbit. 
:) Dodie