A wallflower is a person who is known as an observer, instead of a participator of life. Often they are considered shy and viewed as loners.
In Stephen Chbosky's novel The Perks Of Being A Wallflower he chronicles the life of an anonymous ninth grader who goes by the name of Charlie. Written in epistolary form (a series of letters) Charlie recounts his experiences of his first year of high school. The novel deals with teenage sex, drugs, dating, death, music, literature and films. I found the list of novels that Mr. Chbosky sites particularly interesting as many of them are personal favorites. I have always believed that to be a good writer one must be a good reader.
Here is a list of the novels that are mentioned in the novel and which Mr. Chbosky clearly has been influenced by:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Stranger by Albert Camus
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Do you see some of your favorites here? Perhaps you would be interested in reading Mr. Chbosky's novel prior to it's movie release later this year-
30 comments:
Wait, what? Movie release?
I haven't heard of this. Interesting book, though. There sure are perks of being one! ;)
Dori.
This has been on my list of ages, and now I absolutely have to read it before the film adaptation comes out! Thank you for reminding me!
Yes, some books I've enjoyed are on this list though 5 of them I haven't read - let alone his novel. I think my daughter may have read that in college, will poke around and see if it's still here in the house.
The Catcher in the Rye is one of my all time favorite books, I can see why this author was influenced by it
I've read all but two of the books. Based on your post, I'll check out "The Perks of Being A Wallflower." Thanks!
i really like the sound of this book. its now on my list. thanks for the tip!
Every New Year I try and get a list of books that I want to read- I think this whole list is great, as a first time read or re-read-
oh yes,lets see if I can find it here
happy new year
Anyone who appreciates Thoreau is on my list for the read.
Thank you!
that sounds great!:) I'll read this book and watch a movie with pleasure:)
hugs
happy January!;)
J.
I read this a long time ago and remembered LOVING it!
Amazingly I haven't heard of this - but I think I will hunt it out, sounds great!
I guess we bloggers are wallflowers, chroniclers, to some extent. And you have a white Kitchenaid in the attic, unused? In these parts, that's like the crown jewels, but more useful. Could you add a glass top to turn it into a sturdy coffee-table?
wow. i read this a while ago. totally one of my favs!
i should actually read it again. it's been a while!
thanks for the 'reminder'
Pretty amazing that I have yet to read this book, given how much I love reading and how much I love high schoolers! I love that list of influences, as I love coming of age fiction. Thanks for this review and impetus to go find this book!
actually i do but i could never consider myself a wall flower... the complete opposite!
So many of my favorites! Especially The Stranger. Love that book!
Thank you for your recommendation. How exciting that they are making a movie of his book. A few of my favorites are for sure on this list like Fitzgerald and Ayn Rand.
Happy New YEAR! Looking forward to checking in with you what you are up to in 2011:)
i just love the description of the book alone. i think being a wallflower is great and underrated for sure.
Very interesting theme, Wallflowers...i've never been one too loud i guess.Would love to read that book.
To kill a Mockingbird, my all time favorite although "the Corrections" is becoming a close second.
XX
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! i'm almost done with it! it's sitting on my desk right now just smiling away at me:) so happy you featured it on your blog. it is so simply, but beautifully and honestly, written. happy wednesday!
i think i missed the perks of being a wallflower train. maybe i should give it a try.
:)
xo Alison
i am a loner! perhaps a wallflower! i think i need to read this!
what an awesome cover design. sounds like a great read as well.
This is a fantastic reading list. There are a couple on here I haven't read but think I should. Enjoy your reading moments.
Sounds great. I like transforming myself to a wallflower now and then....
I'm going to read this. It is new to me. And since my goal is to read 52 books this year - one per week, does that seem overwhelming? - I need some good recommendations.
Great list of books referenced.
I'm reading Patti Smith's memoir of life with Robert Mapplethorpe "Just Kids" right now. Have you read it? It is so good.
It sounds fascinating Ren! I must find... are you in the SlowReaders book club? You should join! Link and info *HERE*.
PS. I passed on an award to you today!
My best friend read this book to me in high school and I fell in love with it. Charlie is amazing. I made it a goal to read the books that he mentions in Perks... I've read all of them except The Fountainhead. I'm always nervous when my favorite books are made into movies because I worry they won't capture the characters as well as the author, but I am so excited to see how they recreate this on film!
Oh dear - yet another book I clearly need to get to before the movie comes out - I still have Never Let Me Go on my side table. And now I'm even more interested since I've read and loved (except maybe the Burroughs) every single classic in the list.
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