Review Detail

Reader reviewed by erica

A friend recommended this book to me a few months back and I finally got around to reading it. Ugh! What a disappointment.

My biggest beef with this book lies in the fact that the author tries too hard to be profound and wide-reaching instead of letting it be a simple story about high school existence. Within the first 50 pages, "Charlie," the main character, confronts suicide, abortion, homosexuality, abuse, rape, drugs, alcohol, death and depression. One of these alone might have stood up, but all together it's just a little too much. (Think: "Rent")

What's worse is that sometimes these things are the focus of just one chapter and don't ever come up again. Suicide is mentioned then dropped. Abortion is mentioned and dropped. Rape is mentioned then dropped. It's as if Chbosky had a checklist while he was writing this to make sure every conceivable issue made an appearance. Had the author focused a bit, it could have been a much better book.

I will concede there were a few "perks." The book had some funny moments and there were times I found Charle relatable. However, in the end I didn't feel like the book took me anywhere. It could have ended 50 pages later or fifty pages sooner and I woudn't not have been able to tell the difference.

If you want a book from the perspective of a messed up teenager read "The Catcher in the Rye." Personally I feel even that book is over rated, but at least it's more honest than this one.