The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a young adult title that its publisher nearly placed in the adult fiction section. True, the book is a coming-of-age story that tells the story of an awkward high school boy, but then again, we’ve all been awkward high school boys in our day (well, you know what I mean). Charlie is sensitive, intelligent, and endearingly bewildered about life in general. He befriends an older group of students who appreciate and understand his oddities, but will they be there to keep Charlie grounded when he starts to lose control? Charlie pours his heart out in letters to an unidentified recipient, and as readers we are privy to all Charlie’s charms, foibles, and deep secrets. Like Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye or Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Charlie is a kid telling an adult story, and his unique point of view will be universally appealing no matter how long ago or how gracefully you got through your own high school years.

posted May 18, 2009 at 1:28PM

While this book was amusing enough to finish reading, it was a huge letdown. After hearing for so long that it would change my life, I was un-impressed by the story. Maybe I hit it at the wrong time in my life or maybe it isn't my scene, but I would not recommend this book to anyone.

posted Jun 24, 2009 at 1:37PM

While this book was amusing enough to finish reading, it was a huge letdown. After hearing for so long that it would change my life, I was un-impressed by the story. Maybe I hit it at the wrong time in my life or maybe it isn't my scene, but I would not recommend this book to anyone.

posted Jun 24, 2009 at 1:37PM

Told by the perspective of a boy, Charlie, who struggles in fitting in since he's an introvert, and a wallflower. Talks about sex, rape, molestation, drugs, smoking, etc.

posted Jan 2, 2011 at 9:35PM

This is an amazing book, that takes you through a perspective that most people that normally don’t get to see. And most who know the perspective arn’t in a huge hurry to go out telling people about thier life. Which is what makes this book so interesting, and beautiful. As Charlie says, Diary entries are tracible. He is a mystery to the world, which is how Wallflowers thrive. I am overly happy to recomend this book to any Mature audience, about High school/College level.

posted Sep 27, 2011 at 6:59PM

 Add a Comment