Reviews

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

kenzhynes's review against another edition

5.0

I read this book as a teenager and man, it made me feel seen. I remember feeling how all over the place the book was and how that made perfect sense to exactly where I was at in life. So many little golden nugs in this one.

jakesethprice's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it just as much as I did 12 years ago maybe even more so. Charlie as a character is so special to me.

sapphiretouya's review against another edition

4.0

"But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there."

- Just one of my favourite lines :)

Personally, I wasn't a fan of the writing style.
Yet it was easy to read, and it really let me feel connected to Charlie. In many ways, I related to him, and his lessons were my lessons too.

So many feels!! I loved this. :) It provokes a sense of nostalgia for a time I've never experienced. (Anemoia?)

I can't wait to watch the film :))

ebiila's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

shirlene7's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful relaxing 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

4.0

danii_settles's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

seventies's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

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

4.75

smateer73's review against another edition

3.0

This book was interesting. It shows a very "adult" view of the world through a very naive lens. It will make you think a lot, about love and life and other people. It will make you want to be a better person. It also might make you uncomfortable, as it presents things like sex, drugs, and even gay relationships in a real way. It doesn’t soften or smooth things over, but presents life as it is. Charlie is really sweet but also sees so much sorrow.

swaye's review against another edition

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this book.

There are beautiful quotes and aspects I really resonated with, but I was also frustrated. There is something else going on with Charlie. Something more than just being "weird" and a social outcast. Charlie isn't a wallflower in the same way that other introverted, sensitive, socially awkward people are.

Spoiler

And it has nothing to do with his trauma.

In my opinion he has Asperger's and that fact isn't addressed in the book at all. It just felt like the elephant in the room the whole way through. I'm not sure if it has to do with the time it was published and the fact that people on the spectrum just weren't diagnosed as much back then. Regardless, as a result, the book just lacks something for me. It almost feels unfinished.

gracebrady's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.5