“My name is August.
I won’t describe what I look like.
Whatever you’re thinking,
it’s probably worse.”
This is what is written on the back of the book named ‘Wonder’ by R.J Palacio. It’s a powerful book about a simple boy, with a family going to school watching movies, playing games just like all the other kids. The only difference is how he looks.
“His eyes are about an inch below where they should be on his face, almost to halfway down his cheeks. He doesn’t have eyebrows, and the top of his eyelids are always closed. He doesn’t have cheekbones. Sometimes, people assume he’s been burnt in a fire.” – Via, Part two.
August Pullman is a ten year old buy who has certain facial anomalies since birth. He is an ordinary boy who loves playing XBox and is a die hard fan of Star Wars. He even sports a Padawan braid, inspired by the movies. But despite the 27 operations done on his face, he will never look normal. This story is a breathtaking and emotional journey of how August survives high school and faces the ups and downs during the year, owing to his face, and many people overlooking his intelligence and funny personality just because of his external features.
If you read the book, you will be hooked from the very start. It explores the different habits and pet peeves of August and how his family always cheers his up and makes him burst into fits of laughter. Initially, August was scared to go to school, afraid of how people would react. He had been homeschooled since birth and this would be a new change for him.
This book is a story about a boy who is judged at, stared at, mocked at by society. At first, I thought it would be a sad book, describing the mental and physical challenges this boy faced in every day things. But, it’s much much more than that. The book is infused with humor and kindness and it leaves you feeling inspired.
August us bullied in school by a bunch of guys, but his true friends stick to him till the end. It shows that true bonds can make all the bad go away. This story also has different point of views. One important aspect of this story was Via, August’s older sister. She has always been protective of August, and get’s angry whenever people start pointing and staring at him. But at the same time, she also feels like a child not receiving any attention from her parents because they are so busy looking after August. It shows the bittersweet relationship between sibling and despite all the fights and arguments, this bond stays stronger than ever.
This book clearly states that there are no good guys or bad guys. There are just people, and the way they are shaped. Everyone’s conscious always says the right thing, the difference is what voice they listen to. The bully in this story makes fun of August and mocks him due to his face and his braid, but this stems from his own feelings of resentment and anger. August was just a medium to get it all out. In the end, he is just a kid trying to figure out life.
I would recommend this book to all people. This book traverses all boundaries of age, gender, religion and makes us believe in humanity again. An intriguing book about loyalty and friendship, this book is will always be my favorite. Hope it creates an impact of anyone who reads it.
“You can’t blend in
when you were born to stand out” -R.J Palacio
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