Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky

Synopsis:

"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. 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...or wondering who did the heart breaking and wondering why."

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.

Review:

Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age novel about Charlie, a high school freshman who is struggling to find his place in the world. The work is structured in the form of letters from Charlie to an unknown individual, and it chronicles his adventures as he navigates high school complications and attempts to make sense of the world around him.

The author's ability to capture the voice and perspective of a teenage kid is one of the book's greatest points. Charlie is a likeable and accessible protagonist, and the reader cannot help but cheer for him as he attempts to make sense of his events. The author also does a good job of conveying the complexity and subtleties of high school life, and the story feels extremely real.

The book also delves into essential topics like mental health, friendship, and self-discovery. The author tackles these subjects sensitively and nuancedly, and it never feels heavy-handed or preachy. Instead, the author conveys the story's emotional weight in a way that feels both honest and real.

Finally, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a brilliantly written and emotionally gripping work about the complications of growing up and discovering oneself. It's a must-read for everyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories, and it's appropriate for readers of all ages. The language is straightforward yet effective, the characters are likable, and the topics are universal. It's a novel that will make you laugh, weep, and experience all of your emotions. It's a novel that you'll remember long after you've done reading it.

That’s all for now ~

- Jay xx

P.S.

Leave a comment if you ever stumbled upon this blog! 😉