The basis of the novel isn't entirely original; the main character, Charlie, is in his freshman year of high school and is still trying to find out where he belongs in the world. He struggles with making friends, finding his own social circle, and experimenting with drugs, sex, and freedom. If any teenager tells me they've never felt this way, I call BS. What is great about this plot line, and the reason so many authors use it, I believe, is because most everyone has gone through high school. High school is an experience than everyone can relate to, and it is such a pivotal part of an individual's lifetime. High school is where we begin to understand the world, we interact with it, and hopefully leave the end of senior year somewhat prepared for adulthood. Not all of our experiences are the same, and some have it worse than others, but some have it better. But there is still struggle, loss, love, excitement, and adventure to be had for everyone.
In Perks, Charlie is the main character who embodies all of the characteristics of a high schooler. Charlie, with the help of seniors Sam and Patrick, tackles everything head on in his freshman year. He is introduced to parties with alcohol and drugs, begins interacting with females on a sexual level, and begins to understand the dynamics of his relationship to the world. From lighter topics like first kisses all the way to difficult and controversial subjects like sexual abuse and homosexuality, Charlie experiences it all. In a word, Charlie is ambiguous. Normally, in writing, ambiguity isn't something to be sought after; a character should be solid and defined. In Charlie, however, this quality is his greatest strength.
Highly introverted, Charlie tries to "participate" and feel "infinite." In his pursuit of this feeling, Charlie becomes a different character to every different reader. For me, as I read the book, I saw every part of myself embodied within the pages. It was almost creepy, to be honest. I have never done drugs, nor drank alcohol, or even been to a party. I have never kissed a boy, and I'm still a virgin. Charlie experienced all of these things, and in those respects is very different from me. I still felt a connection, though, and I shut out those parts of Charlie and found the parts that I could identify with. I think this is what every reader, teenager or not, does with Charlie. As I read, I saw Charlie as a writer, a reader, and a dreamer: those three adjectives I ascribe to myself. While reading, two things Charlie wrote made me smile: "After cleaning my room three times, I decided to leave Ian [Charlie's fictional character] alone for a while because I was starting to get mad at him" and "It [To Kill a Mockingbird] is now my favorite book of all time, but then again, I always think that until I read another book." As a writer, I have been livid at my own creations, and as a reader I always think I've found the best until something else falls into my hands.
Aside from being able to reach a teenager at any stage in their life, with any experience, Charlie also finds out some universal truths in his journey, like the fact that some moments can only be felt once, in a very specific set of circumstances. Some truths are so small and inconsequential that they are humorous when pointed out: "If they [your parents] ever call you by your first-middle-last name, you better watch out, I'm telling you." And, "There's nothing like the deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons."
Charlie teaches readers to accept the hard things in life, marvel in the moments that leave us breathless, and learn to appreciate the blessings that we often take for granted.
Notable quotes:
"Even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there."
"The idea is that every person has to live for his or her own life and then make the choice to share it with other people."
"I don't think we should base so much on weight, muscles, and a good hair day, but when it happens, it's nice. It really is."
"We accept the love we think we deserve."
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."
