the perks of being a wallflower: a beautiful coming of age story
- paigenherbooks
- Oct 9, 2022
- 4 min read
5/5
Did I stay up and finish this book in one sitting? I sure did. Do I regret that choice at all? Absolutely not. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story full of adolescence, lessons, first loves, and how to navigate high school. This story is a comfort read for me, going back and reading Charlie’s letters, going through the tribulations of high school again, remembering life is so short to not be happy. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a novel that calls out the innocence of being who you are, what it’s like to love fiercely, and that everyone is going through something—even if you don’t see it.
Synopsis: The book follows Charlie, a freshman in high school. For the first few days of school, Charlie doesn't talk to anyone and he finds himself observing people more. This all changes when he meets two seniors named Patrick and Sam. Soon Charlie finds himself becoming friends with Patrick, Sam, and their group of friends.
Charlie is such a delicate yet strong character. Every time I revisit his story, I’m awestruck with how much and deeply he cares about everyone. How much time he spends in thinking about things–such as life, love, death, and music. How he really tries his best to be his best for everyone. There’s just something very innocent about Charlie, even though he’s been through his fair share of hard times, as well as becoming an avid smoker by the end of the book (this detail is one of my favorites). He’s the kind of character that you take with you, once the story is over and the novel is closed. The kind that shows you a different way to look at life.
That’s something the author does so well, that within these letters that Charlie is writing to his “friend”, we get to see and get to know Charlie and the other characters so well—in a way that I think is truly insightful as well as well-rounded. I felt like I knew Sam and Patrick as if they were my best friends, that I could picture Charlie talking to Bill, his english teacher, or going on dates with Mary Elizabeth. Because that’s just the kind of person and character Charlie is. He’s insightful and while he misses a lot he picks up and understands way more than I think a lot of people give him credit for.
Now, about this friend that Charlie is writing. I think this is left a lot up to interpretation, and people may have varying opinions on the subject. I was talking with someone about the novel and they asked if the friend was an actual friend or just a way to frame the journal. Until then I hadn’t actually thought too deeply about the meaning of this friend that Charlie is writing. I sat and I pondered about it and I’ve come to the conclusion that the friend is just a way for Charlie to frame his feelings. That writing to a friend is way easier than writing to yourself. It’s easier to just say things or frame them in ways that you, as the letter writer, or Charlie, doesn’t have to participate in them in a way that holds all the accountability in his court. Meaning, that by writing to this friend, he can give these situations to someone else—plus he feels a lot less alone.
I also think it’s genius that the author decided to frame work the novel this way. It is not only, interesting and vastly different than other books, but it puts the reader in the perspective of this friend and Charlie at the same time. I love it. At some points it feels as if you are Charlie, sitting down and writing this reflective letter, thinking about the events that have occurred since the last letter. Though, on the other hand it also feels as if you are receiving the letter and learning about Charlie’s life through these pages you’re finding in your mailbox. It’s entirely immersive and makes the story that much more real and raw.
I think the thing I love most about this story is the fact that Charlie is most likely an unreliable narrator. We have no idea how accurate things are or what is actually happening outside his own rose tinted version of the world. But I love it. It’s innocent, and it’s bright, sometimes dark and confusing, but there’s a way that Charlie see’s things that just make me smile. This story is one that deals with heavy topics and shines lights onto the reality is that high schoolers and just people in everyday life go through.
There is something so deep about this story that always brings tears to my eyes when I finally finish it. Just knowing that Charlie isn’t scare to start sophomore year because he knows he can, watching him grow within his friendships, and finally coming to terms with his rocky and traumatic childhood. Charlie is the type of person who shows that there truly is good in everyone, even if it’s hidden behind the facade of the person they try to be.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a favorite of mine and the movie adaptation isn’t too bad either. It’s a perfect read or comfy movie to curl up, with a candle on, some fairy light, and your drink of choice. To sink into the covers and enjoy hearing “Dear Friend” and “Love always, Charlie”
I’ll link the soundtrack as well, Charlie enjoys one of my favorite bands, The Smiths, along with some other really great tunes.
Cheers to October & happy reading folks
xoxo,
paige :)
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