The Perks of Being A Wallflower is an novel published in 1999 by Stephen Chbosky. It follows the story of shy, socially awkward, but very intelligent 15 year old Charlie.
Through letters to an unknown friend, Charlie talks about managing the death of his favorite Aunt, and his worries for starting high school. It soon becomes apparent that Charlie is a “wallflower”: someone who is shy and remains unnoticed.
He befriends senior students, Patrick and Sam, and learns about the world of sex, drugs, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Stephen Chbosky got into the soul of Charlie and really makes the reader feel like they can relate to him and his experiences. Chbosky really captures the incredibly frightening condition of having anxiety.
I read this book in less than a week and really enjoyed it. It has become one of my new favorite books and the movie (written and directed by Stephen Chbosky) is on my list to see. It was a very unique and powerful book and I highly recommend reading it.
