A review by moonlightreads007
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.5

This book is a bit of a mixed bag with regards to the themes and plotline at times - on the one hand, you can tell that there's so much love in the book between the characters and their friendships! I especially loved how Charlie found his chosen family through Sam and Patrick as well as his friendship with his English teacher! At the same time, this book delves into a lot of really difficult topics such as drama and dysfunction within families and relationships, and how these patterns get passed down intergenerationally. 
The quote "We accept the love we think we deserve" in particular stood out to me, which one of the characters (I don't remember who) told Charlie after his sister was slapped by her then-boyfriend.
Although Charlie's family seems normal and like any other family on the surface, we eventually end up indirectly discovering based on what Charlie says in his letters to an anonymous recipient that his family is actually very emotionally repressed, doesn't talk about a lot of really important topics with one another, and seem to sweep any sort of difficulties under the rug. Additionally, we see how the women in this book often base their worth based on their appearance and what men think of them. It all goes to show how a lot of behaviours that are seen as normal in society are actually very dysfunctional, and how everything is not what it seems (yes, I'm quoting the Wizards of Waverly Place theme song because I've been on a bit of a Disney nostalgia trip lately haha 😂 I realize that in and of itself is kind of ironic, given that many of the actors, many of whom were children at the time, faced different difficulties and demons of their own, some of which they may have been too young to deal with at the time).
Also that Aunt Helen reveal was devastating, I don't understand how anyone could do that to a child 😭)
This book can certainly be difficult to read at times, but it also talks about a lot of really important, often overlooked social issues that affect a lot of people on a daily basis. Still, I enjoyed reading it and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes to think deeply about societal issues and relationships and who is committed to breaking cycles on a societal and/or personal level and wants to support others in doing so as well. My main takeaway from this book is that it's really important for people to have safe spaces to discuss their feelings, experiences and childhood traumas and to break down any shame bubbles or feelings that may be preventing them from doing so. 

Also as a sidenote, I listened to the audiobook version and the voice actor does a really great job of bringing the characters to life! I especially enjoyed how he slowed down the pace of conversation when the topics got difficult because it conveyed how tough it is for the characters to discuss these issues sometimes.
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