The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a coming of age story of an awkward teenage boy (whom today would most likely be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome) named Charlie. The story is written as a series of letters from Charlie addressed to "Dear Friend."
The letters begin on Charlie's first day of school when he befriends his English teacher, gets in a fight and deals with the suicide of a friend. High school is looking pretty dismal for the wonderful Charlie until he meets a senior named Patrick and his stepsister, Sam. Before he knows it, Charlie is swept away into a brand new world of high school, complete with best friends, first love, drugs, alcohol, parties, infinite songs, sex, relationship drama and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
While he doesn't say much and proves to be innocent and naive, Charlie has a heart of gold and sees everything. As the letters span the length of his freshman year, Charlie learns deep dark secrets about his family, his friends, and himself; as well as the beauty of each and of life, itself.
Personally, I loved this book. The style was different than anything I had ever read before, but once I got used to it, I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried, I loved and I lost, just like you should in a fantastic book. Chbosky portrayed the beauty of life, love, friendship and heartache---especially when experience with the emotions of a teenager---as both simple and complex all at once.
My rating: 10 out of 10.
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