The Perks of Being a Wallflower YA edition by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower YA edition

by Stephen Chbosky

A modern cult classic, a major motion picture and a timeless bestseller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story. 

Charlie is not the biggest geek in high school, but he's by no means popular.

Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is attempting to navigate through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music - when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive. Standing on the fringes of life Charlie has a unique perspective of the world around him, but there comes a time to stop being a wallflower and see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has become a modern classic. Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating and through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

'Chobsky captures adolescent angst, confusion and joy... Compelling.' Booklist
'This wistful, sensitive novel perfectly captures the uncertainty and excitement of adolescence, and has become a deserving modern classic.' Scottish Book Trust
'A coming-of-age tale in the tradition of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE and A SEPARATE PEACE... [Chbosky's] poignant reflections on life, love and friendship are often inspirational and always beautifully written.' USA Today

Reviewed by ammaarah on

4 of 5 stars

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Even although I gave this book a four star rating, I want to hug it close to my chest and never let it go. I want to never return the book to the library, but I want to return it so that other people aren't deprived of the chance to read a life-changing story.

When I first read this book, I didn't get it. I didn't understand why this book meant so much to so many people. I thought that The Perks of Being a Wallflower was over-hyped and mediocre. I just found out how easily a re-read changed my views.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is written in a unique manner. It is narrated through letters that Charlie writes to an anonymous source. I loved the narrative of this story. At the beginning, it seems so unnatural and mediocre, but the writing subtly creeped into my brain and made me feel like I was punched with emotions. Charlie writes as though he is having a conversation with you.

Charlie is a wallflower. He doesn't participate in life. He observes everything from the sidelines. That is until he meets Patrick and his step-sister Sam. I loved Patrick and Sam as characters because they were able to easily accommodate Charlie in their group of friends and easily accepted him for who was, but I sometimes felt that they were a bad influence in Charlie's life.

There are a large amount of issues packed into this thin book ranging from smoking, drinking, drugs, sex and assault. I agree that these are issues that affect teenagers in our society and need to be discussed, but I also felt that these issues were used to manipulate my feelings and make me feel a certain way. I don't like my feelings to be manipulated!

Even although I haven't personally gone through half of the issues in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I could relate to the characters and their situations. Even although my feelings were manipulated at times, I couldn't help but feel everything. Even although I've read this book before, I noticed new hints (about Aunt Helen and the way this book ended) and found things that I didn't read the first time. Even although I'm not a wallflower, I felt like one... I love this book!

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  • 30 July, 2015: Started reading
  • 1 August, 2015: Finished reading
  • 1 August, 2015: Reviewed
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