Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

136 reviews

eveybrittin's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

At first I felt that Charlie was an unrealistic portrayal of a high schooler because I've never met someone who thought like him, and certainly nobody who approached social situations like he did. But I don't know everyone and the ending makes his behavior/thought processes make a little more sense. I do feel like the ending was rushed a bit compared to the rest of the book and it left me feeling kind of confused. This book definitely challenged my understanding of "normal"; drugs and sex were a way bigger part of this kid's life than I expected, and given Charlie's obvious mental health issues it upsets me that the other characters so ignorantly introduced him to substances that only made things worse. The author did a great job of creating realistic characters; I found that I could relate to each one in one way or another, or at least imagine them clearly in my head. I love a book that leads me feeling kind of thoughtful and dealigned at the end and the Perks of Being a Wallflower definitely accomplished that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abortion, Car accident, Alcohol, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Grief

lightthebeam's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is a classic for a reason. The characters are endearing, I love the overarching premise of an outcast writing letters as the narrative pov. The cast felt complex their problems and dialogue all felt real. I read this in a few hours, it was a wonderful read. I love the way the characters talked to each other. The dialogue was an absolute strong point. I think my only complaints are it just felt like some points had an unnecessary amount of time devoted to them while other side plots didn’t end up being resolved. The ending felt very rushed to me. The epilogue helped a bit but in my mind that’s cheating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicide, Abortion, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Hate crime, and Mental illness

perth_is's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Bullying, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Addiction, Abortion, Emotional abuse, Violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

hansenillustrations's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Bullying, Abortion, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

neelalindaa's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Car accident, and Addiction

themelaniewaite's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There’s just something about re-reading a book that you love and having the chance to revisit the story and all the ways it once made you feel. Though this is far from a comforting storyline, taking the time to read it again, through an adult lens and distanced from the teen that once needed this story, it’s like visiting an old friend that made you feel safe and seen in their presence. 

I have so much love for this book (and the movie tbh), and have been recommending it from the moment I first read it. Even all these years later, it holds such a special place in my heart. Charlie will always be a character I resonate with. The storytelling format being in the style of letters - as though the reader is the receiver - makes it so much more personal, and adds a layer of relatability to Charlie’s character. He shares and expresses so much I wish I had been brave enough to share at fifteen - or even when I first read this (and now!). 

It is such a unique method of writing and truly captures the turmoils in those formidable coming-of-age years. I do wonder how life may have turned out if I had the chance to read this earlier sooner, but I truly believe this story found me just when I needed it and I will be forever grateful to Stephen Chbosky for this remarkable, beautiful book. 

TW: 

There are a lot of heavy themes within this book, including (but not limited to): SA, r-pe, child SA, mental health, homophobia, ab-se, ab-rtion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Abortion

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Drug abuse, Rape, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Addiction, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Hate crime

sleepyochre's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Abortion, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Car accident

nellienelson's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

gabbyolsen's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Grief, Addiction, Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Suicide, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, and Domestic abuse

probablytoolate's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Homophobia, Abortion, Drug use, Sexual content, Rape, and Addiction

Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Drug use, Homophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, and Toxic relationship