The Bookends discussion

I try to learn as little about a book as is humanly possible before I pick it up to read it. I don't like to be prejudiced about it without giving it a fair shot.
So I just went down to the library and picked this up. I had to bypass my usual m.o. and get it from the Express shelf, which means I will have to finish it up within the next seven days.
My first thoughts about this book:
1) Amazing that a book written 13 years ago can have over 100 people waiting to read it. Awesome.
2) How had I not heard that this was epistolary? Even living under a rock you tend to hear things....

And now, the brilliant part. A little reward for anyone who withstands the library queues and manages to read the book in time. I will be offering a prize to one randomly chosen member who participates in the monthly discussion.
And the prize, you ask? I'm not the most talented person in the world, but I do have a thing for bookmarks. I have a few I've made myself, and I've got a few store bought. The winner gets to pick which one they would like as their very own. When I eventually get around to it, I'll put up some pictures of them. But I'm a busy lady. Or maybe I'm just lazy. Anyway, I promise I'll get to it eventually.

Okay, book added! - it get's great reviews on GReads, 4.14 average.
Now the trick is to read it in time for the discussion:)

Alrighty. Let the competition begin!
All you have to do to enter is participate in the discussion in any way. Tell me if you liked the book. Or hated the book. Or didn't read the book. Just say something.

I loved the book! I want everyone to love this book as much as I did! I loved everything about it; the characters, the writing style, the format. Absolutely everything.

1) Do you think that Charlie was just socially awkward? Did he suffer from depression or another form of mental illness?

2) What do you think it means to be "infinite"? Is this something that only Charlie experiences?

3) How does the writing format affect the way you see Charlie? Or Sam and Patrick?

4) What part does music play in the story? Did you check out any of the tunes mentioned?

Okay I will be honest.....I didn't read the book :(
I'm sorry!

Thanks for the honesty! ;)
Although, seriously. Read this book. It's amazing.

I have to say yes, he is socially awkward (thus wallflower)...i mean what boy his age spends so much time crying?

Tasha wrote: "Okay I will be honest.....I didn't read the book :(
I'm sorry!"

Tasha - As Lindsay said you really should read it as soon as you get time. It is a really great book.

Kris wrote: "I have to say yes, he is socially awkward (thus wallflower)...i mean what boy his age spends so much time crying?"

Lol. He does spend an awful lot of time crying. I feel like his socially awkwardness (wallflower status) comes from being potentially autistic. This would explain how he is so unable to be properly social. To me he is living in a time when people didn't routinely check for illnesses such as autism. Or labeling a child autistic was taboo and parents didn't want to face the possibility of the social stigma that would come along with it. He's a very smart kid, but isn't being treated properly by his family, teachers or doctors, but finally finds a few people who can treat him properly and becomes a different person around them.

Just a side note - I first read this as a Sophomore in high school and admit that I lived vicariously through the kids in this book. Oh how I wished my life could be as exciting as theirs. Who wouldn't want to perform in the Rocky Horror screenings at the local theater?

I totally agree Ash, about the possibility of autism. It was one of my first conclusions about Charlie. Although I'm not entirely sure that it was a failure to diagnose. It seems to me that Charlie is largely in the dark about his own mental health. His family often tiptoes around him, knowing what might set him off. They protect him to a certain extent, and Charlie isn't even fully aware of it. His time spent in an institute makes me think that he has been diagnosed, but maybe he doesn't know what with.

Failed! My only excuse is The Forgotten Garden took way to long for me to read. My intentions were good...So Lindsay, I'm out of the running for your bookmark prize. I still intend to read it though:)

Nope, not out of the running! I decided to enter anyone who made any kind of comment on here. Your name will be in the proverbial hat. ;)

Bonus:)

Lindsay wrote: "I totally agree Ash, about the possibility of autism. It was one of my first conclusions about Charlie. Although I'm not entirely sure that it was a failure to diagnose. It seems to me that Charlie..."

Very true. Didn't take the institutionalization into account at all, but it would make more sense that he was diagnosed, but his family doesn't really want him knowing that.

It's like the psychiatrist asking him questions he doesn't get, until he remembers about his aunt. Throughout the book, Charlie learns a lot about himself, and the world around him.
Do you think he had been told about the diagnosis, but didn't grasp it? Or did his family want to protect him? And if his family was just protecting him, maybe it would have been better for him if they hadn't.
I kind of love that his family has Charlie categorized as something in their minds, safe and sound. Meanwhile, he is experimenting with alcohol and drugs. Although, again with autism in mind, he mentions the drugs in passing, casually. He never really makes a conscious decision to start doing them. It just sort of happens. Same with smoking.

I think his family was protecting him and he didn't know the diagnosis. He probably would've grasped more than they thought he would if he was given half a chance to understand it. They just assumed, however, that they knew what was best for him and he'd be better off staying in the dark about being ill. They were all about the protection, but not giving any thought to how that would really affect Charlie.

It's a fine line, between protection and harm. As a parent, it scares the crap out of me! Hard to know which side of the line I'm on. O_O

AND THE WINNER IS..........

Ash E!!!!!

Congratulations! Please take a look at the bookmark pictures and make your selection. Email me your address and I'll get it in the mail as soon as I can.

Congrats to Ash E!!!!
Fun to start the new year as a winner.

Congrats to Ash E!!!!
Fun to start the new year as a winner.

Thanks Florence. Definitely fun!

Congrats Ash!!