Editorial Review
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 new 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.
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Customer Reviews
great 
2008-06-07
this was a great book. it's one of those ones where you just love the main character. charlie's in grade 9, a smart kid with no friends, and this book follows charlie's life through a series of letters he writes to us the readers.
what i think i love about charlie is his honesty in his approach to the world. he seems somewhat unconnected, and is as he has no friends to peer pressure him at the beginning of the story, so he views people at school from an outsiders perspective. he never sounds persecuted though (as you would have to be emotionally involved to be persecuted, and charlie is almost estranged from his own life, being the wallflower and all) he just reports the events in his life with an earnestness that makes you want the best for him. he talks about both touchy subjects and regular 'growing up' issues and approaches these with a cautious nervousness, though at the same time he's... i guess he chooses an opinion and then sticks with that conviction. he makes me smile, i want to hug him. i really got emotionally attached to him, when he experiences something good, i'm really happy for him. i think i teared up a bit when he kissed that girl.
anyways, charlie's problem is that he has no presence in his own life. he is a wallflower in his own life, so much so that he writes us these letters so that the reader has a larger presence vicariously in his life than he does himself. there is one scene when he's the dj at a party, and he gauges the mood of the party so well that he accurately picks out songs to reflect that mood. he's very 'other' focused, too selfless. there's a potential reason for this at the end, though it is debatable as to how much of this is just his personality as opposed to a response to something else.
this is a great book with a great character.
I finally got to read it! 2008-05-31
I have been wanting to read this book for over a year now and I finally got my hands on a copy! This book was amazing! I loved the way the author laid the book out like a series of letters to an anonymous receiver. I read this book in about three days-I couldn't put it down! I could relate to Charlie's character and his feelings of being 'infinite' in specific scenarios. It was wonderful!
Touching 2008-05-29
Although I am a 24 years old male, Yes, this is a very touching book indeed. I finished it in a whooping 6 hours. Why? I honestly don't know but all I have to say is I couldn't put it down.
The story is about a boy going through freshman year with no significant moments or things really occur during the entire story. BUT the things that happened were told by a very beautiful and honest voice (I had a monotone-like voice by the narrator in my head throughout the book). The boy is a bit weird but I have to say I loved him! I mean you can't not love him! In the end you'd get a glimps of a part which made him the way he is. Sam and Patrick are two great charactors which I can't take them out of my mind at all.
This is an ordinary story told in a very touching way. It might not change your life but it will probably stay with you forever (without really being able to explain why). Try it!, then sign and smile when you finish it, because that's what I did.
***If you read and loved Mark Haddon's Curios Incident....then I think you'll love this. As good as that book was for me, now I rated this book way better though!!!***
A year in the life 2008-05-29
As THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER begins it appears to be yet another in the long line of coming of age stories. The story is told from the perspective of an adolescent who is a bit of an outcast and has suffered a trauma. The story is even told through a series of letters very much in the style of Anne Frank's diary. After the first few pages though it becomes apparent that there is something more going on here. The hero, Charlie, was just beginning his first year in high school as the novel opens. A few months earlier a friend had committed suicide which had shocked and depressed Charlie to the point his parents sent him to therapy.
Gradually as the school year progresses Charlie begins to carve out a space for himself. He even begins to find acceptence with a new group of friends and experience the usual teenage traumas, the experimentation with drugs and alcohol and sex but it also becomes increasingly apparent that something more is going on with Charlie. Charlie seems to take things much harder than everyone else, whether it is the recent death of his friend or the long ago one of his beloved aunt he continues to grieve long after others have recovered. He passes through life more as an observer than a participant, much as if he really doesn't understand the rules.
Eventually the reasons for his odd behavior are explained in a twist that will probably take the reader by surprise.
The reading level of this book is about 5th or 6th grade but the subject matter is too mature for anyone much younger than 13 or 14. Like the best examples of 'coming of age' books, CATCHER IN THE RYE, THE OUTSIDERS, HUCKLEBERRY FINN etc. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER will appeal even to those who have long since left adolescence behind. It is a book that should be read, then shared with others and discussed at length.
A very good book, easy to relate to. 2008-05-22
The Book The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a very good book. It is mostly aimed toward teenagers, but anyone could read it. The book relates to high schoolers, especially the ones who don't usually fit in with the "in" crowd. It has a good look out on teenagers and how rough high school life can be.
I liked this book mostly because when you're reading it you think of yourself in that position. It made me think about what I would do if I was stuck and had to deal with the battles everyday of what Charlie (the main character) did. One other thing about the book that made me think was Charlie's dad would say, "There is people who have it worse than we do." So it sort of makes you think about the brighter side of things.
Charlie discusses his life in a diary sort of way. Charlie talks about his daily life, the ups and downs of high school, family, and his friends that he's made along the way. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a good and easy book for young adults to relate to.
31 years old, loved it. 2008-06-30
"...but even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there."
i was suprised upon this book's arrival to read on the jacket that it had one a few young reader awards, but i didn't let that phase me (as i usually would) bc the of the reviews on here. I am glad for that bc this book really resonates with me. i read the entire book on a dallas to san fran flight. (it's not a page turner, it's just brief). i thnk i just also particularly enjoy coming of age novels and memoirs. if you need more of a plot, you may not enjoy this as much.
The Perks of Well Written Book 2008-06-18
Stephen Chbosky did an excellent job with this book. I realized all the mistakes Charlie made along the way and realized how fortune and lucky I am in my own life. This is a great story and well worth reading! I did not want to put it down! I am interested in reading other novels by Chbosky! The ending was unexpected, but at the same time, amazing. Overall, it was a GREAT story!
great book 2008-06-18
A coming of age book. If you happen to be a fan of The Catcher in the Rye, this is also a good read about a boy with free spirit and a lot in his mind. A fantastic and inspiring story witch i would suggest everyone should read.
Great Buy 2008-06-13
The book was in great shape and fast delivery!!
Was a great purchase. Thank you.
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2008-06-12
This book was reccomended to me by several friends, so I decided to read it. It is a relatively brief book, and I finished it quickly. It left me unsatisfied after all of the hype surrounding it. It attempts to be deep, and meaningful, it even tries to portray the life of a 'real' teenager. Let's face it, Charlie is not 'real'. Neither are the remaining characters, such as his friends, teachers, and family. I really do not understand the great love for this book by so many. Come on, it's published by MTV!
