The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an emotional story about a freshman in high school, Charlie, experiencing the transition of a boy into a young man. It deals with many first experiences, such as sex, drugs, alcohol, parties, and everything else one could possibly experience in high school. He also encounters many struggles with how to make friends, family tensions, and sexuality. Not only does Charlie have to deal with these hardships, but his best friend committed suicide just a year before.

The story is written in a series of letters written to an anonymous person. The first of the letters reveals that Charlie's best friend committed suicide and how much it changed his life. The rest of the book is filled with happy stories that make a huge grin form on your face and sad stories that break your heart.  Charlie's letters are caustic and humorous. We never find out who Charlie is writing the letters to, all we know is that they are supposed to be going to someone who is honest and unjudgmental. The whole reason for Charlie's letters is so he has an unbiased person to talk to. 

There aren't too many books that can affect you the way The Perks of Being a Wallflower can. It is a truly heart-warming story that almost everyone can relate to because everyone has experienced those awkward transitions years in high school. There is no limit to the type of people who should read this book, age is the only factor. For one to really appreciate the story you have to had some sort of high school experience, so I would recommend this book to anyone that is 15 and up. 

Stephen Chbosky created an outstanding coming of age novel that will bring tears to your face, but also make your heart melt. The story will bring anyone back to their high school experiences and days of growing up, even if you don't want to revisit them.