The Perks of Being a Wallflower

What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. Charlie is a freshman. And while's he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age and gender; a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles many face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with the devastating fact of his best friend's recent suicide. Charlie's letters take on the intimate feel of a journal as he shares his day-to-day thoughts and feelings:

"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why."

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A definite Must Read. - Rated
Chbosky has created a wonderfully likeable and sympathetic character in Charlie.

I liked the letter format taking us through a series of firsts in Charlie's life.

The narrative is intelligently written and both humorous and poignant by turns. This book made me smile a lot and as an adult, I found it a very rewarding read.

I highly recommend it.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too - Rated
Charlie. Where to start with the character that every teen can relate to? He's not a character teens should look up to, respect, or idolize, because he makes the mistakes that every teen does. He is just proof that someone else really is going through the same thing. He really becomes more of a friend then anything.

This book is written as a journal, but Charlie writes like he's talking to a real person. It's definitely a different way of writing, and it really works for this book.

Charlie really is a wallflower. He looks at his life like he's watching through a window that he can't get on the other side of.

Charlie experiences all of the things that normal teens are exposed to, and he handles each in a different way.

Read THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, because Charlie makes you realize that everyone is going though the same types of ordeals. Love him, hate him, root for him, and cherish him. I know I always will.

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

we accept the love we think we deserve - Rated
I have read this book about a hundred times and it just never gets old. Chbosky's style of writing the story through a series of letters is unique and gives the perfect insight into Charlies life from first person.
This book gives me hope and makes me feel sad and happy all at the same time.
A brilliant read, no-one can possibly be disappointed! A++++

Great first half, disappointing ending - Rated
I read this book in four hours, I really couldn''t put it down. Although you don't get much description of the characters especially of Charlie, the protagonist, you really get inside his head as the book is written from his perspective. He is a confused teenager who doesn't fit in cos he's 'weird'. In fact he is just very sensitive and an introvert. He thinks too much and is quite naive and holds himself back to pay more attention to others. He is very unselfish and hardly does anything from himself. He is a sweet boy who listens to others; he helps them with their problems and asks for nothing in return - he is even willing to help those who have mistreated him. The protagonist is a beautiful person who has a wonderful personality, however we see the character's state of mind gradually deteriorate after being too affected by the tragedies in his life.

I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot but I would've preferred a more tragic ending or mental closure for the protagonist. The only thing I was disappointed with was how you never find out or get any clue who Charlie is writing to or why. Also, I found the ending a bit rushed as it didn't explain what really happened, it just gave you a lot of blurred description and suddenly put the protagonist in a new situation.
This is the trouble when it is written from a confused teen's perspective, especially one with mental instability.

We see the character experience sexual relationships, friendship, drugs, family issues as well as explore morality and philosophy through the books he has been reading. The book is packed with references to popular culture such as music, books and films which adds to the realism of the story as well as showing how the world is actually a beautiful place that shouldn't be taken for granted. The protagonist shares his opinions on the world's beauty and what really matters in life. He sees certain things, interprets them and acts on them to ensure he is making the most of his teenage life.

It is very easy to read as it's like a memoir of a teenager's thoughts and is written very informally so we can all relate. It is very much like the teen version of the film 'American Beauty' as it looks at the life from the perspective of a confused teen who is trying to make sense of it.

Not for me. - Rated
I always seem to hate the books that everyone else claims are ''life changing'' and ''amazing''.

I can see why people like this, it's not a bad story, I just really disliked the way it was written. I didn't like the characters and I thought the whole thing was pretty bland.

It's not for me. It took me half a day to read it and I definately will not be picking it up again.