- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (3 Aug 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0671027344
- ISBN-13: 978-0671027346
- Product Dimensions: 18.1 x 12.9 x 1.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. Charlie is a freshman. And while's he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age and gender; a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles many face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with the devastating fact of his best friend's recent suicide. Charlie's letters take on the intimate feel of a journal as he shares his day-to-day thoughts and feelings:
"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why."With the help of a teacher who recognises his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like ivy. When it all becomes too much, after a shocking realisation about his beloved late Aunt Helen, Charlie checks out for awhile. But he makes it back to reality in due time, ready to face his sophomore year and all that it may bring. Charlie, sincerely searching for that feeling of "being infinite" is a kindred spirit to the generation that's been slapped with the label X. --Brangien Davis, Amazon.com
Product Description
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.
This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative voice in contemporary fiction: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed 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.
Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand and didn't try to sleep with that person at that party even though you could have. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand and didn't try to sleep with that person at that party even though you could have. Read the first page
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Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this day and age when people are so cynical and cruel, it was a pleasure to read a book from the point of view of a genuinely nice person. Charlie is a "wallflower," meaning he stands back timidly watching others live life, afraid to participate. In the course of the novel, we watch Charlie grow: make friends, go to parties, participate, even fall in love -- in other words, come out of his shell. And by the end we discover why Charlie is unable to participate in life until now; we come to understand the source of his pain. I truly loved this book; and I don't care if other people put it down! The chapters are written in letter format, and the writing is smooth and unpretentious. This is definitely the best book I've read since THE LOSERS CLUB by Richard Perez. And I discovered both books on Amazon. Anyway, if you like genuinely beautiful people, I'm sure you'll love the protagonist of this novel. You may even shed a tear for Charlie...bottom line: you'll be moved!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is simply brilliant. I honestly couldn't put the book down. I can imagine that many teens can associate with Charlie, the main character, in many ways... maybe we have not all experienced what he does, but we know the feelings that he feels, and the pain he is going through. The pain of a first crush and not fitting in. This a brilliant first novel by Stephen Chbosky and I hope to read more of his work in the future.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best book I have read in a very long time. The character of Charlie is the most real I have experienced in any fiction for years. To compare this novel with The Catcher In The Rye would be easy, I just wish I could have read it aged seventeen. I think many readers will identify with Charlie's experiences of teenage turmoil, hopefully fewer will be able to identify with the causes. Simply astounding, I believe it to be an instant classic, with an incredibly funky cover as a bonus. I urge anyone to read this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Can't wait for the movie
What a great book, easy to relate with the characters and very well written.
Great pop culture references.
Couldn't put the book down read it in one day. Read more
Great pop culture references.
Couldn't put the book down read it in one day. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Sean
Brilliant!
I decided to buy this book because of the up and coming film version starring one of my favourite actresses Emma Watson. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Sophie
Wallflower
Excellent price, Product delivered in good time and condition my daughter is very pleased with her surprise as she has been looking in high street book stores for this book for a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by swan bhoy
Sheer perfection
I've always seen this book in top ten lists and favourite titles but have never read it. It's one of those stories I didn't really know much about but like To Kill a Mockingbird... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sisterspooky
An insightful tale of growing up
The Perks of being a Wallflower is one of those well known teenage fiction books, ones that are beloved by many and considered `modern day classics'. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Books Worth Remembering
It's no Catcher in the Rye
Early last year I read The Catcher in the Rye for the first time in my life and really enjoyed it, so when this book came on my recommendations radar, I was looking forward to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. D. J. Harper
Overrated
I read this book as it was my boyfriend and most my closest friends favourite book.
The vast majority of this book consists of mentioning other books & songs that the author... Read more
The vast majority of this book consists of mentioning other books & songs that the author... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Freya
Underwhelming
I was quite underwhelmed with this book. It was pleasant enough to read and I wanted to see how Charlie's letters concluded, but the whole thing was rather dull to be honest. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anna Clare
Excellent quality
Such a brilliant book which came quickly and in excellent condition. I would recommend this book to anyone, it one of them books that when you start reading you just can't put the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Remily
Amazing book - can't wait 'till the film will be released
In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, you follow Charlie, the proganoist's, coming-of-age story. It's a beautiful novel, and well worth your time.
Published 2 months ago by Kristine
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