The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Reader reviewed by chrissy

This book is the most incredible book I have ever read. It reaches ever point of a teen's tough and unexpecting life. He captures the moments of the good and the bad, and touches your heart. I personally am in love with this book, and it's my favorite book of all time. I suggest you read it, and you will understand how much I enjoyed this book. You can relate to it so much. <3

Reader reviewed by Kiki

This story is about what it's like to grow up in high school. It is written in diary form and it is very personal. The reader never finds out where that protagonist lives and whom he is writing to. The protagonist is caught between trying to live his life and trying to run away from it, which puts him in a strange position. This book keeps you guessing until the very end.

Reader reviewed by Kristen

Charlie knows you. Not personally, but he's heard a thing or two about you, and he thinks you would really understand some of this. Because this isn't like a diary, although it is similiar. And he doesn't know how much effect his will have on you, or if you even care, but he still feels he needs to share it with you, and he hopes you understand.

Well, Charlie, I understood. And I'm very greatful you decided to share this with me!

This is the story of Charlie, a boy who has just started his first year of high school. With this football star brother, and valedictorian sister, he feels completely overwelmed, especially since his only friend had commited suicide not so long ago.

Making friends with Patrick "or Nobody," depending on how far into the story you are)and soon after his sister Sam, he quickly blands into the group, and falls in love with not only Sam, but "the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Patrick and Sam are constantly trying to get Charlie to "participate," but seeing as his only friends are all seniors and will soon be gone, he finds it a bit hard. He does try though. Honestly, with all the effort a 16 year old boy has!

In the epilogue, things quickly crash for Charlie, which lands him in the hospital... that is never a good experience.

This book waas awesome. Amazing. Touching. I read for hours on end, and once it was over, I was praying it wasn't. I felt like I could really relate to Charlie ... even though the point of the book was that he felt not many people really could relate to him.

Everyone, you really do need to participate in life. Patrick and Sam have had the right idea all along ...

Reader reviewed by Taylor

Drugs.. Death.. && The Rocky Horror Picture Show.. These three interesting elements are the root for The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

The story follows a boy, through his freshmen year of highschool. With the typical older jock brother, and the All-American sister, at first you think this book is going to be like every other teenage book. But the unique writing style of the author keeps you from putting the book down.

We don't know who the boy is, where he is from, or even the real name of anyone in his life, other then mom and dad. But thats okay, you don't really need to know.

You would think, when he falls for Sam, the beautiful senior girl, it is turning back into your typical teenage book, but again, it isn't, which you learn rather quickly.

And then there is the best friend, that is interested in guys, and is having an affair with the highschool quarterback.

There's all kinds of quirks that keep you interested in this book, but the lessons you read about in here, can really affect your own life. I enjoyed reading this book, it made me cry, smile, laugh out loud, and sometimes both at the same time.

Reader reviewed by Sonsko

Every freshman in high school, should read it. And if not in freshman year, then just high school.

My favorite book is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky for many ostensible reasons. First of all, it is a highly philosohpical book. The story describes how “infinite” can feel. My favorite quote is, “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” It just describes how life should feel. A major reason this book is my favorite is because I can often relate to the characters and the story. It is about a high school freshman who has to cope with finally becoming a part of life. Although I believe I am often 'a part of the dance floor', I know that I do stand on the fringes of life sometimes. It is also easy to relate to the protagonist, Charlie, because he is a high school freshman who must learn the ways after his brother and sister have already done so, but neglected to teach him. Another reason I adore this story is the magnificent way it was written. The layout is an unknown person who calls themselves 'Charlie' and mails letters to 'friend'. We only see what happens through Charlie's eyes, but that is enough to understand how his world really works, because of his observance. Often, stories are written with the protagonist being an outgoing character. The Perks of Being a Wallflower's protagonist is a boy who is coming of age, but not quite a social butterfly. This coming of age story has affected me to make it my favorite book. It is a powerful story that takes us through the wild days nown as growing up. Not only can you relate to the characters, but it can help the reader to deal with complex high school situations. We all deal with the dilemma of passivity vs. passion. By creating unique circumstances, the reader can understand how to deal with them. Sometimes, all we need is that little extra push in the right direction. By watching Charlie get 'pushed', we can see how we can push ourselves. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the number one book I've read, although I have read amazing stories such as the Harry Potter stories, Memiors of a Geisha, and Snow Falling on Cedars.

Reader reviewed by Chrystal

Hands down, this is the most endearing book Ive ever read. What makes it great is the amazing characterization of the lovable protagonist Charlie. This is seriously the only book Ive never wanted to put down.

Chbosky has the most provocative and honest way of writing. The text is simple and easy to read, complementing the genuineness of Charlies character.

Through his letters to an ambiguous reader, Charlies world of innocence, literature, first-time drug use, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, sex, and growing up is unraveled. Chbosky creates a relationship between the reader and Charlie, so that it seems Charlie is writing directly to the reader.

This book has been compared to The Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace, but it is not a tale of a depressed, angst-ridden teenager in search of himself while criticizing the rest of the world. Rather, it is the narrative of a unique young wallflower, one who sees things ... [keeps] quiet about them ... and [understands], and looks for an honest world to live in.

Spanning his freshman year, Charlie grows from a naive child to an independent and thoughtful character with the guidance of an English teacher and two seniors. Charlies mind is far from simple, and he faces many obstacles including death in his family, dating, drugs, rape, suicide and his strong emotions. By conquering these, Charlie emerges as an even stronger character.

On the first page, Charlie says that he just [needs] to know that someone out there listens and understands and doesnt try to sleep with people even if they could have. Im-mediately, I took this book to heart because Charlie has a way of putting my ideas into words. There is a little part of Charlie in everyone. After reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I assure you that Charlie will be with you forever.

Reader reviewed by katie

The whole reason I bought this book is because i was standing in a bookstore looking for something else, and a random guy walked up to me and asked if I'd ever read it. I said no, and he handed me a copy and said "Read it; it'll change your life." So I bought it, brought it home, and read it. And when I finished, I started again from the beginning. And when I finished reading it the second time, I opened it up from the beginning and started reading it a third time. And then I made three of my friends read it. In short, this book is incredible.

Summarizing this novel, it's about a boy starting high school and going through the typical high school problems: sex, drugs, music, friends, schoolwork, and so on and so forth. But on top of all that, it outdoes every other cliche teenage novel not by an exceptional storyline, (not that the storyline isn't wonderful), but by the little lines that aren't necessarily involved in most storytelling. They're the little lines that make it more personal and make a person really think. Charlie's not just a character in a book, he's a person; he has thoughts and he thinks and it's about things that most of us don't notice. Instead of just summarizing the high school experience that we all go through, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" gives us a different and more humble approach to life that I think everyone can get something out of.

Reader reviewed by juli

i liked this book alot. it gave you a sense that maybe your not as messed up as you think you are. and that a lot of people think like you. i must admit that this book was a bit depressing well it was really depressing. It had alot of good meaning to it and you can relate to the main character really well. he puts his thoughts into words when we couldn't. it's good for anyone in high school or college. you'll understand where he's coming from. it's a good sad a way to find out your not alone.

Reader reviewed by Jessica

As I read this novel I couldn't seem to put it down. It intrigued me how Charlie could be so different and not tell his opinions but rather follow what everyone else did and said. He also always told the truth and although he held some of his feelings back at times he had honesty and thats something most teenagers don't have these days. Overall I enjoyed reading the book and seeing it from a guys perspective. I recommend it to teenagers!

Throughout the novel charlie had a lot of good things to say that were simple but applied to most teenagers lives. My favorite quote was when he said "So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons, and maybe we'll never know them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them." This shows Charlies perspective on life and how he lives it. To me it shows that it doesnt matter where you come from or who you are, you can still overcome your hardships and make something of your life.

Reader reviewed by mango x

I thought this book was one of the best I have read. It's unique letter-form draws attention and makes it more exciting to read. Originally, I read the book because a friend of mine mentioned that music played an important factor in it. Since I adore music, I couldn't wait to try the novel out. I ended up reading it in two hours, because I couldn't tear myself away.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to discover themselves. Watching Charlie grow and transform is truly an amazing expierince. If you're looking for a book that's an easy read, yet powerful enough to make you laugh, cry, and really think about things, then this book is perfect!