A stephen chbosky novel
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age epistolary novel focusing on an introvert freshman who is befriended by two outcast seniors that steer and advise him of the do's and don't's of high school. Set in the golden age of Nirvana, the story follows Charlie through his eventful freshman year of high school. Charlie is a wallflower, modestly clever beyond his years and an eccentric thinker.
When Charlie recognizes Patrick, from shop class, at a football game and sits with him and his stepsister Sam, his world is changed forever. He immediately develops romantic feelings for Sam, but believes that he has no chance with her. Charlie soon meets the rest of their social circle and becomes apart of the gang. Charlie writes about going to parties, his first date, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, his family and feeling “infinite.” Charlie gains a close relationship with his English teacher Bill, who sees Charlie’s potential and gives him classic novels to write essays on, and tips to improves his writing. Charlie suffers PTSD, which gets rapidly worse as the novel progresses and he discovers a terrible truth of its cause. Rape, teen-pregnancy, homosexuality, suicide and child harassment also occur in this eye-opening adolescent drama, packed with humor and compassion. |
"Some kids look at me strange in the hallways because I don't decorate my locker, and I'm the one who beat up Sean and couldn't stop crying after he did it. I guess I'm pretty emotional." - Charlie