the Perks of Being a Wallflower

I’m not one for staying quiet. Ask anyone who has ever been in the same room as me. My voice is loud and obnoxious in itself and my laugh is even worse (and by worse I mean better). I think that’s partially why I found a book about an introvert so interesting. The novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower depicts Charlie, the high school freshman whose best friend committed suicide, whose aunt died while driving to get his gift, whose only contact at the start of the year is with the unnamed recipient of his personal letters. Charlie falls into a group of seniors, who teach him what it means to let go by way of drinking, smoking, and ultimately loving. With the confusing surroundings of high school and his nerve wracking unbalanced home, Charlie makes mistakes and learns from them, only to make them again. The honesty Stephen Chbosky has creates a relatable, yet dark coming of age story.

Charlie bonds with Patrick and Sam, a quirky brother and sister duo. They get him involved in the acting of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, take him to his first party, and introduce him to their friends. Charlie meets these people, but falls in love with Sam. Throughout the novel, Charlie refers to “getting bad,” which means self-destructive. His aunt was his closest relative, and she was in a fatal car accident on her way to get his Christmas present; he blames himself for her death. His respect for his aunt and his relationship with Sam foreshadow a gloomy and realistic ending, which may come as a surprise.