The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

 

From Goodreads

 
Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. 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.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

 

My review

 

3.5 stars.

This is a quirky tale following a year in the life of Charlie a teenager. Told as a series of letters from Charlie to an unknown recipient, that I liked to think of as us the reader.

It's full of the angst, dilemmas and thoughts that teenagers go through. To be honest I found it quite reminscent of my teenage years to some respect and it was like stepping back in time, although I wasn't a teenager in the time that it was set nor in the country it was set in.

I liked the way it was written and each letter was important in the way it related the story to us. I believe there is a film of this story and can see how it would transfer well from the written word to the silver screen.

Charlie and his friends had their flaws but don't we all. If you've not had the opportunity to read this coming of age tale, do so soon as I doubt you'll be disappointed, I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to read this book via a friend as it's not one that I'd have chosen myself.