Els avantatges de ser un marginat

4 1/2 stars: Super, Couldn't put it down.

I actually debate on that rating vs. 4 stars, very good. Semantics, I suppose. Overall I liked the movie better, but it has some advantages to the movie, and both were deeply impacting. I watched the movie, and was immediately moved to "most impacting in my life" list, then devoured the book in 5 hours and two sittings. Yes, this book is "coming of age" as it is told from Charlie's point of view, as he transitions from being a wallflower, to having good, deep friendships. Particularly close in his circle are Sam(antha) who he falls for, and her stepbrother, homosexual Patrick. Many issues that affect teens are covered in the book: sex, love, unrequited love, rape, sexual molestation, homosexuality, homophobia, drug use, alcohol use, abortion, and problematic parental relationships. They are touched on and looked at unblinkingly, yet none are the core focus of the book. Instead, it ultimately is a story of friendship and what they mean to us, as well as the bonding and healing power of music.

Many reviews compare this to Catcher in the Rye. That book resonated as a teen, but by the time I was in my late 20s I hated it. Rather, Perks -- which I read at 51 -- reminds me of what that time was *really* like. Not that all those issues touched me, but enough did, and I was aware of others, so that it feels realistic. I felt seen, in the vernacular of the time. Not so with Catcher. Many reviews are also concerned about the topics. Certainly only readers with a maturity should read. None of the issues are graphic at all. In some ways that lends to its authenticity to me -- often its not until much time has elapsed that we recognize the depth and trauma of those situations. As a teen we are just dancing around it. An exemplary read, one I'm certain I'll reread (and rewatch) in time.

Many characters resonated, including Charlie's relationship with English teacher and mentor Bill [barely touched on in the movie], his observations of his parents, Sam, Patrick, and his relationship with his sister. One thing I preferred in this book vs. the movie, is it did cover more characters and situations than the movie did, which needed to remove or sideline for the sake of brevity.

Some quotes I liked:

"Do you always think this much, Charlie?"
"Is that bad?"
"Not necessarily. Its just that sometimes people use thought to not participate in life."

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

I had an amazing feeling when I finally held the [mixtape] in my hand. I just thought to myself that in the palm of my hand there was this one tape that had all of these memories and feelings and great joy and sadness. Right there in the palm of my hand. And I thought about how many people have loved those songs. And how many people got through a lot of bad times because of those songs. And how many people enjoyed good times with those songs. And how much those songs really mean.

Then the movie started. It was in a foreign language and had subtitles, which was fun because I had never read a movie before. The movie itself was interesting, but I didn't think it was very good because I didn't really feel different when it was over.

There's nothing like the deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons. It was that great.

"I would die for you. BUt I won't live for you."...I think the ideas is that every person has to live for his or her own life and then make the choice to share it with other people. Maybe that is what makes people "participate". I'm not really certain.

Charlie, don't you get it?...It's great that you can listen and be a shoulder to someone, but what about when someone doesn't need a shoulder? What if they need the arms or something like that? You can't just sit there and put everybody's life ahead of yours and think that counts as love. You just can't. You have to do things.... If somebody likes me, I want them to like the real me, not what they think I am. And I don't want them to carry it around inside. I want them to show me so I can feel it, too. I want them to be able to whatever they want around me. And if they do something I don't like, I'll tell them. ... So, tomorrow I'm leaving. ...I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm going to be who I really am. And I'm going to figure out what that is.

I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. and we can try to feel okay about them. ( )

As one of those people who never attended a public high school, I often feel cynical or disillusioned when reading YA fiction about the high school experience. When I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie based on this book, I was interested enough to pick up the book when it was next available at the local library.

I really liked the voice of the narrator, Charlie, and his observations of the people and interactions around him. I love the character of Bill, the teacher who notices Charlie and encourages and challenges him to read and write. And even though this is a story about high school, it all seems so emerging adult-y and existential and real.

"It's great that you can listen and be a shoulder to someone, but what about when someone doesn't need a shoulder. What if they need the arms or something like that? You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love. You just can't. You have to do things." ( )

I kept on trying to remember which bits were in the film or not. However, as with most books that films are based on, you get extra dimensions by reading the book. ( )

I loved the insightfulness of this book. It was raw and fulfilling somehow--I don't know how to explain it. Just read it. It's worth your time. ( )

I just wanted to give this book a giant hug by the end. it took me awhile to get into the style and Charlie's voice, but the emotion and introspection won me over. Charlie is a character that felt so real that my high school self would have related to him very well (and probably have fallen for to). I can see why this book is challenged so often (gritty and tough topics) but it worked for these characters and this story. Not perfect but I just loved it. ( )