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holistichistorian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My copy of The Perks of being a wallflower was given to me by someone I was once very close to and with whom I had a very complicated relationship with. I’m not entirely sure why they gave it to me, but I feel like it was because the main character reminded her of me, or our situation. In any case, I found this novel incredibly moving in ways I don’t think I can properly process just yet. It’s a book I hope to read again and again for the rest of my life. A truly good book is one which feels as if it were written specifically for you, as if the writer understood you in some way and wrote it in order for you to better understand yourself. Maybe that sounds like crap but that’s how I feel about this book. I’m going to go cry and talk to someone I love now.
So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Grief, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Addiction, Vomit, Body shaming, Cursing, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Car accident, Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
stacyc16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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
3.75
ellie133's review against another edition
5.0
The kind of main character that has a different perspective of life and is very sensitive is my favorite and this book owns that idea. It was a very interesting, funny and heartbreaking story. I found so many paragraphs that are going to be stuck in my head for a while.
I really admire how the characters were represented and their struggles as well.
I just want to say that when a book changes my point of view on life even a little moment it means everything to me.
I really admire how the characters were represented and their struggles as well.
I just want to say that when a book changes my point of view on life even a little moment it means everything to me.
twellz's review against another edition
4.0
The Perks of Being a Wallflower...back in 1999 when this book was published it would’ve been a risqué YA novel. However, in the year 2021, don’t be surprised if you find the characters & topics a little bit cliche. This book is written in letter form through the eyes of a high school freshman named Charlie. Charlie’s way of over-analyzing everything gave the story a truly authentic feel...trust me, I’ve been teaching high school freshmen for 23 years. I remember doing very similar things as a kid...remembering every word someone said, wondering what it meant & taking things a little too literally sometimes. Shoot...I think I still do this today! Lol
Through his letters, Charlie tells you his deepest, darkest secrets...the ones he knew and the ones you discover along with him. You sometimes feel sad for him & definitely find yourself wanting the best for him. As a reader, you are able to feel his emotions, which automatically pulls you in. As Charlie makes new friends, he dives into every high school 1st-time-temptation-peer-pressure-activity there is, but manages to find happiness. Sam is the best! The underlying plot will break your heart.
This book has some pretty iconic quotes:
"We accept the love we think we deserve." (Wow...this is so true)
“But I just have never heard anyone use the words “corpulent” and “jaundice” ever in my life. That includes teachers. So, what’s the point of using words nobody else knows or can say comfortably? I just don’t understand that.” (This made me giggle...ELA has always perplexed me. Just keep it simple...lol)
“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.” ( Me too!)
“So, I guess we are who we are for alot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” (I love this advice. I give it allll of the time to the young people I teach)
I can see why The Perks of Being a Wallflower is recommended reading for teens. It’s relatable for kids who are feeling very depressed or anxious & could be a bit of a coping mechanism. Charlie’s friends Sam, Patrick, MaryBeth & Bill will make you feel a lot less alone, because even though Charlie was a “wallflower & kind of weird” he had people who loved & accepted him. He found a place where he fit in. It wasn't easy & he had his share of struggles, but he found his place in the world!
Through his letters, Charlie tells you his deepest, darkest secrets...the ones he knew and the ones you discover along with him. You sometimes feel sad for him & definitely find yourself wanting the best for him. As a reader, you are able to feel his emotions, which automatically pulls you in. As Charlie makes new friends, he dives into every high school 1st-time-temptation-peer-pressure-activity there is, but manages to find happiness. Sam is the best! The underlying plot will break your heart.
This book has some pretty iconic quotes:
"We accept the love we think we deserve." (Wow...this is so true)
“But I just have never heard anyone use the words “corpulent” and “jaundice” ever in my life. That includes teachers. So, what’s the point of using words nobody else knows or can say comfortably? I just don’t understand that.” (This made me giggle...ELA has always perplexed me. Just keep it simple...lol)
“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.” ( Me too!)
“So, I guess we are who we are for alot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” (I love this advice. I give it allll of the time to the young people I teach)
I can see why The Perks of Being a Wallflower is recommended reading for teens. It’s relatable for kids who are feeling very depressed or anxious & could be a bit of a coping mechanism. Charlie’s friends Sam, Patrick, MaryBeth & Bill will make you feel a lot less alone, because even though Charlie was a “wallflower & kind of weird” he had people who loved & accepted him. He found a place where he fit in. It wasn't easy & he had his share of struggles, but he found his place in the world!
hanneverhaar's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
andrewburgess's review against another edition
3.0
I started off really enjoying the story, but I feel like it devolved rather quickly into one dramatic sequence after another. I guess part of it is that I remember my freshman year of high school was pretty nondescript, and to read about someone that experienced more drama in one year than I went through in four years is difficult to believe.
I'm not saying that it's impossible, just highly improbable, and it took me out of the story a bit. But the different situations that the main character, Charlie, found himself in seemed well thought out and made me think through how I would have reacted.
One major gripe that I had was that Charlie seemed to cry way more than anyone I have ever met in my entire life. It irritated me that all of his crying seemed somehow normal or something because no-one ever ragged on him or anything. I'm pretty sure this would merit a fair amount of teasing in a typical high school.
I'd recommend giving this a look if you're into stories about teenage years, but just sort of pretend that it's stretched out over a longer time frame or something.
I'm not saying that it's impossible, just highly improbable, and it took me out of the story a bit. But the different situations that the main character, Charlie, found himself in seemed well thought out and made me think through how I would have reacted.
One major gripe that I had was that Charlie seemed to cry way more than anyone I have ever met in my entire life. It irritated me that all of his crying seemed somehow normal or something because no-one ever ragged on him or anything. I'm pretty sure this would merit a fair amount of teasing in a typical high school.
I'd recommend giving this a look if you're into stories about teenage years, but just sort of pretend that it's stretched out over a longer time frame or something.
ravenaa's review against another edition
4.0
sadly, there's no 4.5
it wasn't a 5 star for me because i didn't really like how easily craig was forgiven. and also, maybe it was just me but i think the book should've stayed a little bit loyal to it's own quote. "not everyone has a sob story, charlie, and even if they do, it's no excuse". some people were just forgiven too easily imo. still, i loved the book and paul rudd obviously.
it wasn't a 5 star for me because i didn't really like how easily craig was forgiven. and also, maybe it was just me but i think the book should've stayed a little bit loyal to it's own quote. "not everyone has a sob story, charlie, and even if they do, it's no excuse". some people were just forgiven too easily imo. still, i loved the book and paul rudd obviously.
jennbliven's review against another edition
4.0
Based on the title alone I thought I would love it. Half-way through I was convinced I would hate it. By the end, I decided again I really like it.
zperalto's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5