The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publisher: Pocket Books
Date of Publication: 1999
Format: Softcover
Page Count: 213 Pages
Cost: $14.00
ISBN: 0-671-02734-4
Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Plot Summary: This novel is written in the form of letters addressed to an anonymous outsider by Charlie, a quiet, introspective, and incredibly intelligent freshman. Charlie is very much a wallflower, viewing the social scene at his high school from the outside. He has had to deal with a lot of tough stuff in his life, including the relatively recent suicide of his old best friend. Unable to reach out to classmates his own age, Charlie eventually finds himself in the company of a group of seniors, who introduce him to cigarettes, drugs, and sex. Towards the end of the novel, Charlie realizes the root of his problems stem back to being sexually abused by his great aunt.
Evaluation: The engaging format of this book ensures the fact that it is a captivating page-turner. The reader is quickly drawn into Charlie’s unique perspective on life in high school. Charlie’s naïveté is incredibly endearing to his new friends Patrick and Sam as well as to the reader. The smoking, drugs, and sex might be offensive to some, but high school students will recognize the truth in the author’s handling of these topics. The matter of sexual abuse, which is introduced and resolved within the last few pages of the book, seems a little contrived but does explain some of Charlie’s more noticeable quirks.
Annotation: Charlie paid attention when Patrick urged him to start participating in life, but he never imagined that participating in high school could be so difficult and rewarding at the same time.
Links:
An Interview with Stephen Chbosky
Related Reads:
Brave by Louisa Luna
The Torn Skirt: A Novel by Rebecca Godfrey
This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers
Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl by D.L. Garfinkle
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