Perks of Being a Wallflower

Perks of being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

Synopsis:

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective…but there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

Since its publication, Stephen Chbosky's haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over three million copies in print, spent over one year at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and inspired a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it's like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. Of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

My thoughts:

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is an incredible book, filled with exciting twists and heartbreaking words. When Charlie's best and only friend kills himself, he is left alone relying on his English teacher Bill to help him through high school. It is an exhilarating read, that forced me to never put it down. Every word had a bigger meaning allowing me to feel a part of his journey through life. I read this book because an unseen amount of friends came to me speaking about how this book will change you. Once I read it, I knew all the talk was true! This isn't me being overly dramatic. I honestly believe that now, when someone comes to me with a problem, I am able to help them through it.

    To start with, almost all the characters are described in a way that makes you know exactly what they look like or how they stand. Chbosky used the right amount of description, making each one unique. Mary Elizabeth is a punk Buddhists who meditated, with half of her hair shaved, and tattoos representing nature. She allowed my imagination to put together who she was. Then there is Alice. Alice steals jeans from stores even though she is rich! I mean, not just anyone could come up with those characters. The one negative, is that it became hard to decipher who Charlie was speaking of, when it came to his family. I Guess now you need to hear about his family. Okay, his mom and dad are very kind, although his dad doesn't show it and his mom doesn't speak a lot. They are a football loving family. Charlie's brother Plays on Penn State's football team, and is very good. His sister, well she is apart of  the environmental club, dating this boy named Derrick. Derrick wears his hair in a ponytail allowing people to call him ponytail Derrick.

    Patrick and Sam are Charlies two best friends that he finds well into his first year of high school. These are the two most important people in the book other than Charlie. They are kind and caring. Welcoming Charlie into their life through actions like this.    

" I didn't mean beautiful on the outside. I meant beautiful in all the ways. So, I was giving it to Sam. Sam looked at me soft. And hugged me. And I closed my eyes because I wanted to know nothing but her arms. And she kissed me on my cheek and whispered so nobody can hear, I love you. I knew she meant it in a friend way, but I didn't care because it was the third time since my Aunt Helen died that I heard it from anyone. The other two times were from my mom." pg. 69

In my opinion this is a perfect example of how close they were.

    This book is written in a letter format, Charlie is writing to the reader. He thanks you for listening and taking the time to read his letters. We have all had that friend, who feels under the weather (depressed), this is how Charlie was. What I am saying is, all of the aspects are easy to relate to. With one theme being never give up, things will improve, this explains many of our lives. I found it interesting how the author made the base of Charlie's life simple. He did not live in an extravagant  house. With a family of four, family dinners, and movie nights, his family was standard. I conclude that this made every action Charlie did stand out that much more. Not just one event made the book but it was how they all came together. I will soon be reading it again and highly recommend it to you. The book is 213 pages so don't worry about it being too long. My one piece of advice for you is, try to keep an open mind while reading it.

    It shows you how many people actually live. Not a fake fairy tale life, this is why I give it a strong 10/10. I also recommend you go and watch the movie it is also very good, but still the book is better and will give you a different understanding of Charlie. If you are to go watch the movie please read the book first. Honestly, just please go read it!

reviewed by A.R., Grade 10 Scona student