The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Books | Fiction / General

4.3

(273.6K)

Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. Now a major motion picture starring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman. Stephen Chbosky's new film Wonder, starring Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts is out now. Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. 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.'A coming of age tale in the tradition of The Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace... often inspirational and always beautifully written' USA Today

Coming Of Age

Tearjerkers

Mental Health

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More Details:

Author

Stephen Chbosky

Pages

240

Publisher

Simon and Schuster

Published Date

2012-05-01

ISBN

1471104168 9781471104169

Community ReviewsSee all

"REREAD: This book has an aching, bone deep melancholy that you feel as you read it that I’ve never felt replicated in any other book. Charlie’s world view is both mature and honest yet childlike and pure. You empathize with him but at times you feel like you are him. It’s a singular experience. It’s truly a raw depiction of life from the eyes of a socially awkward teenager and a stunning coming-of-age novel. No matter how many times I read it, it feels like the first time. I still reacted to every reveal and moment with fresh eyes, especially the stomach dropping realization at the end. This book is definitely a modern classic and will leave you changed."

Madeline Glanton

"I've seen the movie multiple times and love it. This is my first time reading the book and I love it even more! I really enjoyed the writing and how it was formatted as letters. I could tell the story was "heavy" within the first couple of letters. I really didn't like his sister in the beginning(she really bugged me). Loved his friends, they were great!! I just really liked this book and the message behind the last letter(in the 10th anniversary edition) made me smile big. Really great read, highly recommend!!"

Anna

"Perhaps because I’m not a teenager for some time now, I had trouble connecting with this book…so I did something I never do… I watched the movie and then finished the book. It worked and I did cry at the end. Then, the book felt extremely personal and I was able to relate to the plot and the characters. I felt infinite…"

LeeLoo Dallas

"A coming-of-age story in the form of letters written to the reader in the span of a year. The narrator and protagonist is a 15 year-old boy named Charlie. It’s about childhood trauma, witnessing and experiencing abuse while extremely young and suffering with multiple mental conditions as a result. I like to think that Charlie is the version of Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye) that happens to have supportive/open minded parents (although emotionally unavailable at times) better teachers, and a community (not necessarily a good influence) where he could participate and express himself comfortably. Charlie is a lovable character and the story is enjoyable except the ending. It felt rushed and far-fetched."

sunshine

"reading this as an adult for the first time was a totally different experience than i wouldve had as a teenager. truly a very sad, beautiful, real book. "