The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. ;

PAGES: 232 PAGES.
TIME TO READ:  2 DAYS.
(1ST published in 1999, this book has been challenged and was my first time to read a banned book.)

SYNOPSIS:


'I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day... or wondering who did the heart breaking and why.'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.
REVIEW:

CHARACTERS:  5/5
CHARLIE <3 He is a character that the reader grows to love so dearly over the short time period of the novel. He is in his first year of high school and is not a very confident person. In the beginning, we see Charlie as a vulnerable, naive, innocent character. As the novel progressed we see him grow from the emotionally distraught loner to a much stronger and friendly character, who has impacted  hugely on the lives of his friends. Charlie is also such a vivid and realistic character that, as he goes through the experiences of growing -up, you feel you can relate to him as he goes through the same things you would experience.He is a character with a dark childhood that is always eating away at him. As he deals with family issues, falling in love and new experiences; such as drugs and alcohol, you see his is a teen with a mind beyond his years. He is also a very dependable person, and cares greatly for his friends; Sam & Patrick. I thoroughly loved Charlie's character <3
SAM & PATRICK <3 Wow, the characters in this book were so realistic that i almost feel like i know them on a personal level by the end! I though the characters of Sam and Patrick, step-brother & sister, were very vivid and spontaneous. They were the perfect pair to coax Charlie out of his wallflower behaviour and into the real world. They were very up-front and honest, which is one of the reasons charlie fell for them. I enjoyed reading about them taking Charlie under their wings, as they introduce him to knew things such as; drugs, alcohol, sex and Friendship.
Bill was just awesome! Hopefully i will one day have a teacher like that ^^

PLOT: 5/5

This book was set in the 90's, which was really fun to read about and compare to teenage behaviour modern day. The book is told through letters addressed to the reader from charlie. Although there is no "Real" plot, i did extremely enjoy Charlies transformation from a wallflower to a confident teen. The book is a coming of age story that becomes more and more eventful and dramatic with each page. It is a book of experiences, filled with twists & turns. We see Charlie reaching out to the reader through the letters as he has lost his only friend to suicide. This book was a very engrossing read and i liked the realistic plot.
The main message enforced and embodied by this novel is Participation. Participation in life and to not let life pass you by.

WRITING STYLE:  5/5

Chbosky has a very addictive element to his writing style. In the novel, we see Chbosky getting deep inside the mindset of Charlie, a fifteen year old with a mind beyond his years. This was very interesting as the novel felt like charlies direct thoughts and did not feel shaped or altered by an older generation. Chbosky brings the quality of coming-of-age stories to new heights. He has a talent for character and world building, and he provides the reader with a deeply moving and intriguing novel. I was very much engrossed in  this novel, I stayed up until 3am finishing it <3 This was one of the most realistic YA book's i have ever read! An instant-favourite <3

OVERALL RATING:  15/15
WOW!!! Amazing novel, Must-read for teenagers and adults .
Can't wait for the movie, Emma Watson (Sam), Do me proud :)