I just finished reading Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. A mix between Go Ask Alice and a much better--less whiny version of J.D. Salinger's A Catcher in the Rye. 
One of my English professors strongly advised the class not to read the book since there is a good deal of sex, drugs and alcohol use by minors. So with this recommendation and two of my good friends who have exceptional taste in books, music and movies. I picked it up for myself. I suppose I haven't reached the point where I would trade in the general experience of reading such an amazing and thought provoking story just to avoid elements of this world that are all around us. I have a certain degree of admiration for those who refuse to acknowledge that such things are in this world. Perhaps one day my point of view of this world will change and I will refuse to see the world for what it is.
We were discussing in class how in Young Adult Literature the portrayal of parents/guardians are often at extremes. The parents are either absent and glorified, or if they are around they are villains and hated. The main character in this story has a very natural relationship with his parents. He sees how they do their best, and he loves them both a lot - but he also notices when they slip up and make mistakes. For once the story of tragedies and trepidation doesn't end with a suicide or a hopeless trip to an insane asylum. There is growth as the characters learn from their mistakes and begin to improve their lives.
Old black and white movies 
and late night talk shows.
I'm going to miss terribly my roommates from this semester and the great influence they are in my life.
I've felt infinite
3 comments:
ok, my dear. i have some comments for you. in order of apearence:
1."I have a certain degree of admiration for those who refuse to acknowledge that such things are in this world. Perhaps one day my point of view of this world will change and I will refuse to see the world for what it is." I see what you are saying here but i had to laugh. reason being because i sapose some people refuse to belive the truth of the world situation and refuse to accept that such things are in the world but i believe that they know very well that is is part of the world. they see that and know that the world isn't always a ray of sunsine and sparkles. the key is though that they filter what they take in. i guess. It is a very person thing i think. Everyone responds to things differently, and i think that is very cool that you read this book and enjoyed it so much. i just thought that these two sentences from your blog sorta had a hint of humor.
2. i also appriciate liturature that shows things that are true to life. that is interesting about parents being protryed on oposites sides of the spectrum but rearly just in the middle like a normal person. You have to admit though, it makes a good story. I read A child called it when i was younger and was captivated by it because i couldn't believe a mother could treat her son so badly. that was an exptreem but make for a captivating story.
3.I am going to miss you teribley. I am happy for you though. everyone needs to go home on occation. Go back to the east and enjoy all richness of life that the east has to offer. We had a good semester. I'm glad that i was here and that we have gotten to know eachother.
I tend to have a bit of irony to my thoughts. Maybe that is what you noticed as a "hint of humor."
I agree that literature with a few dysfunctional family members or parents who are slightly of kilter can be captivating. The point is, that with Young Adult Literature, an author is (or should be) trying to give young people something with which they can relate. Where most novels and teenaged-representations show these kids hating their parents and the impressionable teenagers sometimes think that this is the norm and they should feel oppressed by their parents as well. In my life that has definitely not been the case and it's nice to have something closer to my own experiences.
First, I'm glad you read "the perks of being a wallflower" ... that's a book that has changed my life for the better. Several of my literature and musical influences have come from the pages of that book. It's good that you saw what I saw.
Second, I feel the same about returning home. I am going to miss you, you know.
Happy Holidays, love.
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