The Book Was Better discussion

I read this book about a year and a half, and still need to get around to seeing the movie. But, I figured if people started talking about it, maybe I would get to it sooner! I really should see it, esp since one of my college friend was a production assistant on the movie. Well, that's neither here nor there. Overall I did not care a TUN for the book, so I think that might be why I did not rush to see the movie... Anyone else see/read Perk yet?

I read the book a long time ago in middle school, so I onyl vaguely remembered the book when I watched the movie a few months ago. It seemed like they got a lot of things right and the movie followed the book fairly well. I even looked on wikipedia (I wasn't interested enough to re-read the book) to compare and the two were pretty close. It wasn't as interesting to me now, in my 20's, as it was when I was in middle school and highschoolers seemed so old and mature...however I still think the movie was well done for its genre.

I think that is a really good point! I have some friends that LOVE IT, but they are 5+ years younger than me now, and read it in high school I think. So, reading it at 27 did not make it that impressive for me... I did not dislike it, but it was just nothing something I got a lot out of and walked away changed or with something to think about or anything....

Yeah I agree! It wasn’t applicable to my life, and didn’t have any new insights that could change my worldview either. Now if it would have come out over a decade ago I would have liked it more.

I was impressed by Emma Watson’s acting though. I think after playing such a specific and large role as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, I’m impressed at how well she broke out of that genre. I don’t think there is anything wrong when an actor/actress sticks to one genre; if you know you are good at something and stick to it there’s no shame in that. I’m just saying its impressive that she did well after 8 HP movies!

In a way too this book was a little odd for me since it did not really take a stand against things or teach me something... Even if it was for a younger audience, it was not really about a specific thing... His friends drink and do drugs...but he does not really care.... his friends make odd life choices....but nothing is really learned from it... For me there needs to be something you can walk away with. Sure, he made these good friend of whatever, but there was no major chance or catalyst in the story.... Maybe they add things in the movie to make it more meaningful...but when I finished the book I just felt "blah" about it all....

Yeah that's a good point!! Ok that might be why I feel blah about it too...

I'm just glad I am not the only one that feels that way! All my friends here LOVE it....and I felt weird for lot...oops! haha

I have seen the movie and liked it, and I have the book to read, just haven't started it yet. It's so small, and I know I'll get through it quickly, but I keep putting it off for some reason.

Yeah, the book was short, and for me was not much.... I did not care for it much, but still want to see the movie. My friend worked on the movie, so that is one of the main reasons, but seeing how they handle the book will be interesting.... I have not tracked it down yet since I don't care an overly amount about it. But one of these days....

The movie was good, but like previously mentioned, it doesn't really "teach" you anything. It's just there for the sake of being....there lol. But not bad.

I agree with that! I did enjoy the film though

I loved the book! I'm an 80's child and had a friend like Charlie in high school. perhaps that's why I feel attached to the story. and the movie was good too

I loved the book!! I could really relate to Charlie. Although some actions I did not do, the fact that he was socially awkward was something I could relate to. And near the end of the book is where it really got to me because that was something I definitely related to. The movie was good too but left somethings out that were in the book but overall good.

I loved both the book and the movie! I was happy with it because the author of the book wrote the screenplay and directed the movie himself. So yes there were a few minor changes, but overall it was great! I thought Emma Watson did an amazing job in this movie as Sam.

Loved Emma Watson in the movie

It was such a good book too

I don't say this a lot, but I actually liked The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie way better than the book. The book seemed dry, while the characters in the movie brought things to life. Don't get me wrong, the book was okay, I did read it twice already. But there is just something about the movie.

One of my favorite books of all time!!! And the movie was so amazing too, even though I had my doubts about it before I saw it. I don't know what it is about this story that just gets me every dam time even though I have read the book and seen the movie like a million times.

I love both the book and the movie, but I found Patrick and Sam to be more believable characters in the book. They came across as less vulnerable in the movie, but the book showed them being more like the wallflowers I knew in school. For instance, they smoke cigarettes.
In the book a big theme is that Charlie puts others before himself and is often harmed in the process. While the movie showed him being taken advantage of by people (his sister, Patrick, Aunt Helen), I'm glad for the book showing me what he was thinking in these situations. Though I think I have to pick the movie over the book because of the soundtrack. David Bowie's performance of "Heroes" is my life's theme song.