Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective…but there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.Since its publication, Stephen Chbosky’s haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over three million copies in print, spent over one year at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and inspired a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson.The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. Of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

While I did not particularly like this book, I can see why many would. Charlie’s voice rings very true as a typical high school-er. While the book is set in 1991-1992, many teens will be able to relate to the situations that Charlie has to deal with. Issues such as drugs, alcohol, abuse, and fitting in are relevant no matter what year you’re in. So, I have to give Chbosky kudos for keeping it real in that aspect.

However, there are some issues that ultimately made me dislike the book. For example, the thing with his English teacher (Bill) and all the extra reading felt over the top to me. The long list of books ended up overwhelming me and feeling too contrived. Plus, I was kind of waiting for his English teacher to overstep his boundaries with all the attention he was giving Charlie. (Or maybe I’m too cynical and have heard of too many teacher sexual abuse headlines?) I also didn’t like that Charlie made out with his gay best friend (Patrick) in order to make him happy. I know this probably somehow ties in with the abuse issues and finding himself, but to me this went one step too far. I kept waiting for Charlie to question his sexuality/come out gay and felt bewildered when it never happened. But the real tipping point came in the last chapter when his sexual abuse issue comes out. I really wish it had come out much sooner in the book. While I understand that Charlie was off-center and had many issues, I felt it was easily related to guilt and grief from his aunt’s death and friend’s suicide. Had it been mentioned sooner I may have read Charlie in a completely different manor.

I am interested to hear from fellow readers and here what you think. Sometimes I wonder if I’m too hard on books at times…I suppose it’s the English Major/Librarian in me. Oh well, can’t love them all right?