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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

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... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  young adult,  coming of age,  contemporary fiction,  teen angst (all tags)

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Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Tessa K
  • Rated 4 stars

“There were things I liked and disliked about the Perks of Being a Wallflower. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but there were some things that bothered me.

One thing I liked was that I was able to relate to the characters and recognize similar people in my own life - the dad, the brother, the sister; they all rang true. The main character has a unique voice - he is very perceptive and smart; but clearly has some emotional problems. He sees things very clearly but has trouble interacting...”

Tessa K’s full review »
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Didn’t Like It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Tony R
  • Rated 2 stars

“The Emo Bible. I hate it because it inspired a generation of kids to dwell in depression and sadness (not alone, but contributed to it), but I like it because it got me listening to The Smiths.”

Tony R’s full review »
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Community:
  • Rated 4.218812 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • michele m

    michele m said:

    “YA book”

    posted 13 days ago
  • fayeshka

    fayeshka said:

    “A coming of age book that even the adults would love. If i had read at the cusp of my childhood onto my adolescence, I would've probably grown up differently. This book inspired me to write a song, and it ignited a spark that allowed me to reassess: do i think too much? Is it keeping me from participating? It simply tells you to jump right in.”

    posted Monday, May 12 2008
  • Jennifer B

    jennifer b said:

    “A quick read that sucked me in without mercy and imprisoned my heart. I love Charlie. I relate to his feelings although, my teen life experience was way different from his. I bought this book for several of my friends and "made" each of my children read it.”

    posted Sunday, May 11 2008
  • mikantote

    mikantote said:

    “As of today, this still remains to be my favorite book of all time. I've read it thrice, and every time felt different. Why do I love it so much? I can't say exactly, but I did share his view of the world. Sometimes we just gotta shut up and observe the way things are. And after we think we have it figured out, we also have to participate.

    And in that moment I swear we were infinite...     ”

    posted Thursday, May 8 2008
  • nutmegballs

    nutmegballs said:

    “Highly, highly recommended. There are arguable reasons that one might not want to give this book to their 10 year old to read without some guided discussions, but the material is certainly not prurient nor lascivious. It's an excellent story of a messed-up kid who comes into his own through the "help" of some friends during his first year of high school. I teach this book every year in one of my English classes and it kindles some great, and often eye-opening, conversations.
    READ IT.”

    posted Monday, May 5 2008
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