The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Publisher: MTV Books (June 2010)

226 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $6.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing, Sexual Situations, Violence and Implied Sexual Abuse

Following his friend’s suicide, Charlie is poised to begin his high school career, with no friends to speak of and a naiveté about all that he will encounter in the next year (first dates, drugs, alcohol, relationships and his own demons). This story is told in a diary format, and Charlie narrates not only his own experiences, but also those of his siblings (particularly his sister) and those of his new friends, Patrick and Sam. There is so much drug and alcohol use in here, amongst Charlie and his friends, I couldn’t help but feel that all of them could use some serious help with their coping strategies. This story touches on so many of the scourges of the teen years, including Patrick’s struggles with being gay and having a relationship with a boy who isn’t out (and doesn’t want to be out). There were so many parts that were sad and depressing, but at the same time, there were so many moments of true beauty and selfless friendship. Great read!

Movie Adaptations:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 4 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

This movie stays pretty close to the book, a few things are left out here and there, and overall I didn’t think it was quite as dark or heavy as the book, but it is by no means a happy-go-lucky, feel-good sort of film either. I really liked Logan Lerman as Charlie, and Emma Watson was perfect as Sam.