Final thoughts

This book was great!  I feel like it gave me a new perspective on people who are suffering with depression and addiction.  I am not always around those who are suffering, so I was not able to understand.  Charlie let me into his brain and I could begin to understand his struggles and problems.  Though there were some dark moments for Charlie, he never lost his passion for life or his love for his families and friends.  I think that people who suffer from addiction are prone to have the stereotype that they do not care about their loved ones and are selfish because they are not thinking about the consequences of their actions.  But Charlie made me realize that he was still compassionate for the people around him and that depression and suffering cannot mask love and faith.  My favorite quote is, " And we went into the tunnel, I didn't hold up my arms like I was flying.  I just let the wind rush over my face.  And I started crying and smiling at the same time.  Because I could't help feeling just how much I loved my aunt Helen for buying me two presents.  And how much I wanted the present I bought for my mom for my birthday to be really special.  And how much I wanted my sister and brother and Sam and Patrick and everyone else to be happy" (213).   I am thankful that this book is set up like the reader is set up in Charlie's mind because it gave me a new perspective on addiction and depression.