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 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. 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. 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.
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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
25 Ways To Keep Up The Culture:
16. Perks of Being a Wallflower. Emma Watson reinvents herself as Sam, a preppie American wild-child in Stephen Chbosky s film adaptation of his own coming-of-age bestseller. Ezra We Need To Talk About Kevin Miller plays Sam s gay step-brother and looks almost as pretty --Evening Standard
16. Perks of Being a Wallflower. Emma Watson reinvents herself as Sam, a preppie American wild-child in Stephen Chbosky s film adaptation of his own coming-of-age bestseller. Ezra We Need To Talk About Kevin Miller plays Sam s gay step-brother and looks almost as pretty --Evening Standard
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
106 of 111 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't think you necessarily need to be a teenager or a naïve reader to enjoy this book. At least, I'm neither of them and I did. Of course this is nothing new under the sun; and yes, I agree, Salinger has come first. Despite that, I honestly think sometimes we are a little too obsessed with originality at all costs, refusing to give credit to someone who, like Chbosky, rewrote an old story in his own way, which is a very pleasant one, I can assure you. "The perks of being a wallflower" will make you sad and will make you happy, will make you think and will make you laugh. And maybe, just for a short moment, will make you remember what was like to be fifteen and feel like a wallflower, never completely into things, like on the verge of real life, all the time. I distinctly remember the period when the world seemed to be like outside a window, and me behind, watching it in front of my eyes without being able to take part in it. And this is exactly what Charlie's "partecipate" is all about.
I also loved all the references to songs and books, and I imagined how nice it would be being fifteen again and not knowing them yet... a full world of discoveries in front of you! Another of the perks of being (still) a wallflower.
I also loved all the references to songs and books, and I imagined how nice it would be being fifteen again and not knowing them yet... a full world of discoveries in front of you! Another of the perks of being (still) a wallflower.
21 of 23 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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Definately a teen book...
I read this after reading reviews that suggest that, although this is a teen book, adults will enjoy it.
...I think it was pants! Read more
...I think it was pants! Read more
Published 2 hours ago by Sally Parker
4.0 out of 5 stars
...
I had already watched the film before the book, but still found it a good read ( I managed to read it in 2hours- including breaks in between) and would likely read again...
Published 6 hours ago by Lily Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
Absolutely fantastic! One of the best books I've ever read. Definitely worth buying, I would recommend it to everyone. It was beautiful.
Published 2 days ago by Isobel Grint
5.0 out of 5 stars
saw the movie had to read the book - even better!
Ok, I'll admit it I hadn't heard of this book and truthfully the only reason I watched the movie was because I wanted to see Emma Watson (a sad admission I grant you). Read more
Published 3 days ago by J. Cheriyan
5.0 out of 5 stars
this book was great!
this book was amazing! a brilliant read and im now desperate to see the film! the ending was fantastic but completely unexpected although it was sad as well
Published 3 days ago by Paul M Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars
A++++++++++
One of the best books I have ever read in my whole life. I love the story line and how the characters are so relatable to! I would recommend this book to anyone! Read more
Published 8 days ago by Stevie-Marie Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing book.
brilliant book, really gives a clear incite to the angst of teenage years. brilliant read, not too long a book but full of brilliance.
Published 9 days ago by Hannarr?
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heartwarming
Loved this book. Not ok only did it remind me of my teenage years but also through my teenage sons eyes who also has a very niave view on the world. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Daisyrock
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing.
Best book I've ever read. The film is just as good too. You can really feel the emotion in this book.
Published 10 days ago by Vivienne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
You can ask for nothing more in a book its simple, much better than the film which misses out key points that are included within the book. Definitely should be read by all!
Published 11 days ago by Katie Blake
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