The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Reader reviewed by Kristen

Charlie knows you. Not personally, but he's heard a thing or two about you, and he thinks you would really understand some of this. Because this isn't like a diary, although it is similiar. And he doesn't know how much effect his will have on you, or if you even care, but he still feels he needs to share it with you, and he hopes you understand.

Well, Charlie, I understood. And I'm very greatful you decided to share this with me!

This is the story of Charlie, a boy who has just started his first year of high school. With this football star brother, and valedictorian sister, he feels completely overwelmed, especially since his only friend had commited suicide not so long ago.

Making friends with Patrick "or Nobody," depending on how far into the story you are)and soon after his sister Sam, he quickly blands into the group, and falls in love with not only Sam, but "the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Patrick and Sam are constantly trying to get Charlie to "participate," but seeing as his only friends are all seniors and will soon be gone, he finds it a bit hard. He does try though. Honestly, with all the effort a 16 year old boy has!

In the epilogue, things quickly crash for Charlie, which lands him in the hospital... that is never a good experience.

This book waas awesome. Amazing. Touching. I read for hours on end, and once it was over, I was praying it wasn't. I felt like I could really relate to Charlie ... even though the point of the book was that he felt not many people really could relate to him.

Everyone, you really do need to participate in life. Patrick and Sam have had the right idea all along ...

Reader reviewed by Sonsko

Every freshman in high school, should read it. And if not in freshman year, then just high school.

My favorite book is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky for many ostensible reasons. First of all, it is a highly philosohpical book. The story describes how “infinite” can feel. My favorite quote is, “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” It just describes how life should feel. A major reason this book is my favorite is because I can often relate to the characters and the story. It is about a high school freshman who has to cope with finally becoming a part of life. Although I believe I am often 'a part of the dance floor', I know that I do stand on the fringes of life sometimes. It is also easy to relate to the protagonist, Charlie, because he is a high school freshman who must learn the ways after his brother and sister have already done so, but neglected to teach him. Another reason I adore this story is the magnificent way it was written. The layout is an unknown person who calls themselves 'Charlie' and mails letters to 'friend'. We only see what happens through Charlie's eyes, but that is enough to understand how his world really works, because of his observance. Often, stories are written with the protagonist being an outgoing character. The Perks of Being a Wallflower's protagonist is a boy who is coming of age, but not quite a social butterfly. This coming of age story has affected me to make it my favorite book. It is a powerful story that takes us through the wild days nown as growing up. Not only can you relate to the characters, but it can help the reader to deal with complex high school situations. We all deal with the dilemma of passivity vs. passion. By creating unique circumstances, the reader can understand how to deal with them. Sometimes, all we need is that little extra push in the right direction. By watching Charlie get 'pushed', we can see how we can push ourselves. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the number one book I've read, although I have read amazing stories such as the Harry Potter stories, Memiors of a Geisha, and Snow Falling on Cedars.

Reader reviewed by Chrystal

Hands down, this is the most endearing book Ive ever read. What makes it great is the amazing characterization of the lovable protagonist Charlie. This is seriously the only book Ive never wanted to put down.

Chbosky has the most provocative and honest way of writing. The text is simple and easy to read, complementing the genuineness of Charlies character.

Through his letters to an ambiguous reader, Charlies world of innocence, literature, first-time drug use, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, sex, and growing up is unraveled. Chbosky creates a relationship between the reader and Charlie, so that it seems Charlie is writing directly to the reader.

This book has been compared to The Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace, but it is not a tale of a depressed, angst-ridden teenager in search of himself while criticizing the rest of the world. Rather, it is the narrative of a unique young wallflower, one who sees things ... [keeps] quiet about them ... and [understands], and looks for an honest world to live in.

Spanning his freshman year, Charlie grows from a naive child to an independent and thoughtful character with the guidance of an English teacher and two seniors. Charlies mind is far from simple, and he faces many obstacles including death in his family, dating, drugs, rape, suicide and his strong emotions. By conquering these, Charlie emerges as an even stronger character.

On the first page, Charlie says that he just [needs] to know that someone out there listens and understands and doesnt try to sleep with people even if they could have. Im-mediately, I took this book to heart because Charlie has a way of putting my ideas into words. There is a little part of Charlie in everyone. After reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I assure you that Charlie will be with you forever.

Reader reviewed by katie

The whole reason I bought this book is because i was standing in a bookstore looking for something else, and a random guy walked up to me and asked if I'd ever read it. I said no, and he handed me a copy and said "Read it; it'll change your life." So I bought it, brought it home, and read it. And when I finished, I started again from the beginning. And when I finished reading it the second time, I opened it up from the beginning and started reading it a third time. And then I made three of my friends read it. In short, this book is incredible.

Summarizing this novel, it's about a boy starting high school and going through the typical high school problems: sex, drugs, music, friends, schoolwork, and so on and so forth. But on top of all that, it outdoes every other cliche teenage novel not by an exceptional storyline, (not that the storyline isn't wonderful), but by the little lines that aren't necessarily involved in most storytelling. They're the little lines that make it more personal and make a person really think. Charlie's not just a character in a book, he's a person; he has thoughts and he thinks and it's about things that most of us don't notice. Instead of just summarizing the high school experience that we all go through, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" gives us a different and more humble approach to life that I think everyone can get something out of.

Reader reviewed by mango x

I thought this book was one of the best I have read. It's unique letter-form draws attention and makes it more exciting to read. Originally, I read the book because a friend of mine mentioned that music played an important factor in it. Since I adore music, I couldn't wait to try the novel out. I ended up reading it in two hours, because I couldn't tear myself away.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to discover themselves. Watching Charlie grow and transform is truly an amazing expierince. If you're looking for a book that's an easy read, yet powerful enough to make you laugh, cry, and really think about things, then this book is perfect!

Reader reviewed by Sarah

This book is about a boy going through his freshman year in high school. He goes through the experience of drugs, sex, and much more that most teens do experience. This book has a lot of teaching to it. I do not usually like to read but this book was simply amazing. As you are reading you start to feel what the boy, Charlie, is feeling. You almost become him. I recommend "the perks of being a wallflower" to anyone in middle school, high school, or college. It is a very, very good book.

Reader reviewed by Karie Roughton

This book was byfar the best book i have ever read. It explains how we all feel, but are to "proud" to talk about. I believe anyone who reads this book will be able to relate to charlie(or any other character) in some way. Alot of people i have talked to have said this book has helped them through alot of hard times. Once again, if you havent read the book, you really need to. Its awesome!

Reader reviewed by iki

I loved this book. This book is one i choose for my assigned summer reading. I wouldn't hav choose this book by the title and cover like how i choose most of them, but I am sooooo glad that i read it. It is an amazing TEEN read.

Reader reviewed by Brigitte

I originally picked this book up because someone had recommended it to me, but I didn't really have a clue of what it was about. When I started reading this book i realized i couldn't put it down. It was different than any other book i've before. I especially enjoyed the way that it was written in letter form. The main characters confessions were very frank and they made me feel sorry for him at times. Though there were many sad parts in it it was a different kind of sad. I would definetly recommend this book to anyone since it is definetly one of the top best books i have ever read

Reader reviewed by lesley

i have read hundreds of books, and this one is number one on my list. i thought that this was the best damn book i have ever read. i've read it probably about ten times already. i can totaly relate to charlie and everything that he's going through in this book. i wish the kid was actually a real person, so he could be my best friend. this book is full of sex, drugs, music, and well basicly everything that goes on in every teenagers life.
i think that steven chbosky did an amazing job writing this book. whenever i talk to anyone about books, which is almost anybody that i come in contact with, i always recomend this book for them to read, and every person that i know that has read it, absolutly loved it. chbosky plese come out with some more awsome books for me to read.