Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Release date: February 2nd 2009 (first published: February 1st, 1999)
Publisher: Pocket Books
Rating: 5/5 stars
I first read this book exactly 5 years ago and I very much disliked I. But since I first read it around Christmas time, I felt nostalgic when the snow started to fall last week and I decided to give it a second chance. And boy am I happy that I did! I loved it this time around! Keep reading to find out my thoughts.
Summary:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age story about 15-year-old Charlie. At the beginning of the book Charlie is about to start his freshman year of high school and decides to share his nerves leading up to it with a stranger via letters. The letters keep going throughout the school year and we learn a lot about Charlie, his family, his friends, his life, and his past.
Characters:
Let’s start with the main character Charlie. I think he is a very interesting character. He was very mature for his age yet also very naive at the same time. I would describe him as some sort of naive old soul. I really felt for him and could relate to him a lot of the time.
Bill is definitely one of my favourite characters in the book! I just love how he sort of takes Charlie under his wing and becomes his mentor in a lot of ways. My favourite scene is when Charlie goes to the townhouse and the conversation that they have there. I also liked how he doesn’t treat Charlie like a child.
I have mixed feelings about Patrick. On the one hand I think he helped Charlie in a lot of ways and was definitely a good friend to him most of the time. But I also feel like he put Charlie in situations he shouldn’t have. Overall, I don’t think he is a bad person, but he was a questionable friend at times, in my opinion.
I feel similarly about Sam, as I do about Patrick. She meant well, but she was also a bit controlling over Charlie at times. And I don’t like how she cut him off the way she did.
Likes:
The thing I loved most about this book is how honest it is. There is no sugar-coating, it feels real. I also liked how much I could relate to Charlie in some instances. It really hit home and tugged on all my heartstrings. And the writing style was very easy to read.
It was a classic case of the perfect book at the perfect time.
Quote:
“There’s nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.”
Dislikes:
There genuinely wasn’t anything I didn’t like this time around. And to be honest I think the only reason that I didn’t like it last time was because I went in with wayyy to high expectations.
Final thoughts:
Overall, I adored this book. So I would advise you to give it a go, even if you read it years ago and didn’t like it. My opinion took a complete 180º, and I would be curious to see if it works the same for you.
Have you read this book? I would love to hear your thoughts about this book?
Lots of Love,
Lotte
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