A high school freshman named Charlie and his experiences, told through letters he has written to an anonymous "friend." Charlie grows up through his letters in the school year of 1991-92 with a group of the seniors in his Pittsburgh-area high school, always the onlooker as he deals with suicide, a twisted family life, and Friday nights at the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

how articulately Charlie's passivity is woven. It's not immediately apparent that most of his problems stem from his inability to communicate how he feels and how he allows himself to be walked on.

the fact that the book ends. (But all good ones do, and I would be upset if there were a sequel. [Please tell me there is not.])

write. This book awakened a lot of the anxiety and disruption of the teenage soul.

infinite.



(But you'd have to read it to understand.)

is a native of Pittsburgh and a screenplay writer, both of which reflect in his writing.

it is a book about identity. Growing up is difficult, and the book won't make it easier, but it makes the translation a little less painful.

there are those people out there who are convinced that teen novels have to be the same boring preachy drivel. Those people should fear this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt compelled to finish it once I picked it up. I hope you do too!

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Created Feb 15, 2003 at 11:36am • Submit your own review...