The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“A timeless story for every young person who needs to understand that they are not alone.” —Judy Blume
“Once in a while, a novel comes along that becomes a generational touchstone. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books.” —R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder
This #1 New York Times bestselling coming-of-age story with millions of copies in print takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory.
The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.
A #1 New York Times bestseller for more than a year, adapted into a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson (and written and directed by the author), and an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2000) and Best Book for Reluctant Readers (2000), this novel for teen readers (or wallflowers of more-advanced age) will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps feel nostalgic for those moments when you, too, tiptoed onto the dance floor of life.
“Once in a while, a novel comes along that becomes a generational touchstone. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books.” —R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder
This #1 New York Times bestselling coming-of-age story with millions of copies in print takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory.
The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.
A #1 New York Times bestseller for more than a year, adapted into a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson (and written and directed by the author), and an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2000) and Best Book for Reluctant Readers (2000), this novel for teen readers (or wallflowers of more-advanced age) will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps feel nostalgic for those moments when you, too, tiptoed onto the dance floor of life.
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Community Reviews
A heartfelt and deeply moving coming-of-age book.
Awkward and raw, we follow the life of Charlie, a too-honest, too-pure young teenager yearning for those fleeting moments of teenagehood to be worth something.
There are so many interpretive hidden messages within this book you navigate via Charlie's inner monalogue, building a relationship as a reader towards him. There are hints throughout the book of Charlie's suggested autisim. Which is realistically represented by Chbosky's straightforward writing style. We see addiction, abuse, mental illness, suicidal implications and much more, building such an open connection to Charlie as well as other characters. I loved this book and all the real-world references it represented, not to gloat, but to bring awareness. Some of these are written in so subtly, due to the creative genius of Chbosky, you witness the build-up of an extremely vital plot twist through the eyes of Charlie without grasping the truer meaning until it's laid bare, thanks to Chbosky's phenomonal writing.
I resonated deeply with Charlie and the things he underwent, that I almost wished he was real so I could shield him from his traumas.
I loved the music and reading list I've gathered from this book, you almost feel as though you're part of the group, growing alongside Charlie, witnessing these events real-time. Never have I felt so emotionally connected to a character or book in the way I have this one.
I recommend to any young person who feels stuck in flitting time, you will learn that in life sometimes you need to slow down and embrace the moment.
So glad I finally read this book. Our bookclub had a great discussion. The characters were well developed. This book is as or more relevant today as it was when it was released in the 90’s.
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