The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky
Recommended Age: Young Adult
Publisher: MTV Books
ISBN-10: 0671027334 
ISBN-13: 978-0671027346
Year Published: 1999
No. Pages: 224
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Main Character Gender: Male
Read & Reviewed by: Ben



Charlie is an fifteen year old boy who is about start his freshmen year of high school-without any friends, as his best and only friend, Michael, had just recently committed suicide, and everyone else he knows labeled him a freak long ago. Charlie starts writing letters to an anonymous person to share his thoughts and feelings. His luck soon changes when he meets Sam and Patrick, two high school seniors and siblings. They introduce him to there interesting and wild friends. He finally feels accepted in a group. Charlie also starts a friendship with his English teacher Bill, who assigns him extra books to read and plays a large role in his life. Charlie doesn't think his life can get better. But a horrific repressed memory appears out of nowhere and threatens to destroy everything.


Stephen Chbosky creates a compelling and realistic coming of age story. In my personal opinion, it amazingly captures the troubles and triumphs of being a teenager. It gave me an idea of the struggles I may encounter in high school as well as things you can relate to if you are already in high school. Most teen books are based on the hopes and dreams of what we all want in high school. The reality is most teenagers struggle. It doesn't matter if you think you deserve it or not. Chbosky perfectly illustrates that in this book.

All of the characters in this story are compelling-at no point did I think “Not this guy again!” because every character has his or her own problems and characteristics, even the characters who are only represented through the memories of others. My favourite character in the novel was Charlie. He is by far the most interesting and complex character in the novel. The novel implies he may be mentally unstable, but never truly admits it, which I think is a great idea because I don't like everything spelled out for me .

Chbosky writes in letters so it is in first-person narrative. I thought this style was exceptionally clever and worked to the book's advantage because I really got to know Charlie this way. The character of Charlie is a wallflower because he blends into the background. He witnesses a rape and does nothing to stop it, he takes drugs and drinks just so he fits in, he gets a girlfriend he doesn't like just because his friends suggested it, he even lets his gay friend his him to make him feel better. Charlie learns to stand up for himself and be himself through his friendship with Sam. He finds his voice and learns to be actively involved in his own life.

Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an absolute 10/10. Its brilliant way of mixing comedy and drama is outstanding. I highly recommend this book because it makes you feel infinite (you probably won't get that reference till you read the book). This book has mature content such as rape, substance abuse, sexual content, and homophobia.