I’ve read a fair share of young-adult books about teenagers who face normal problems, such as parents, drugs, love, fitting in, and keeping up in school. They’ve all held my attention, but they all had a similarity that I quickly grew bored with. When I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, I was expecting another story about the unfortunate teenager. I’m happy to say my expectations were not met.

Charlie is starting his freshman year of high school and is understandably feeling uneasy about it. His only friend from middle school has killed himself. He begins writing letters to someone we as readers know as “friend”. “I just need to know that someone out there listens and understands and doesn’t try to sleep with people even if they could have. I need to know that these people exist.” Charlie just needs an outlet and I think it’s comforting for him to know that someone will listen and not judge him. He explains what it’s like to be in high school by taking us through the different events that occur, leaving out none of the awkward details. Chbosky guides us through the unrefined life Charlie leads and gives us a new perspective on love, what it means to be happy, and how to fit in with new people.

The beginning of The Perks of Being a Wallflower is anything but dull.

Charlie tells us why he is writing, and what he expects to have relieved by writing these letters. He speaks very directly about his family, his lack of friends, and lets us know that it’s okay to cry. He tells us about his Aunt Helen whom he greatly admires, but she passed away years ago. He mentions an accident being the cause of her death, which is unknown to readers until the end. Charlie has two siblings: an older sister and an older brother. His brother plays football at Penn State University and his sister is a senior at the same high school Charlie has just started. They both view Charlie as their brother and nothing more; as far as Charlie knows, he’s unimportant to them and accidents are his fault. Charlie has an incredible insight on some issues and knows exactly what people are expecting. The strange thing is, he completely misses the point in other similar situations. Chbosky writes simplistically, although mature, releasing us into the realms of Charlie’s developing teenage mind. His authenticity is almost tangible, because Charlie’s writing strongly improves over time, as would most high school students’.

Charlie meets two friends at a school football game: Patrick and his stepsister Sam. They understand Charlie and embrace his awkwardness. He grows an inseparable bond with them, and together they embark on the journeys most high school students do. Charlie, though a bit socially awkward, finds himself in love with Sam. Sam knows this, but for Charlie’s sake will not become more than close friends. Readers yearn for Sam and Charlie to be together because we all are rooting for Charlie’s happiness.

Patrick and Sam are not only beneficial to Charlie, but Charlie is beneficial to them. He helps Patrick keep his relationship hidden and doesn’t ask questions, because Patrick is happy. The three friends form an amazing bond that I think most high school students really look for and need. Chbosky explores an issue overlooked by a lot of people: the difficulty of saying goodbye. Because Patrick and Sam are seniors, they head off to college towards the end of the book. It’s hard for Charlie, as it would be for anyone, but he really shows us how.

Charlie becomes our best friend from the way he treats other people, and us undying desire for everyone around him to be happy. “I don’t know. I just had a great day. I hope you did, too.” I don’t think we ever see him very clearly as a person because it is all from his point of view. You wonder if the way Charlie recognizes people is the way those people really are. It leaves you curious and wanting to learn more about the characters.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an incredibly accurate account of an average teenager’s life. Anyone from the age of thirteen to twenty-five could relate to this book. What Charlie goes through and how it’s portrayed has us sitting in the backseat of the car with him. I’ve never quite experienced a writing style like Chbosky’s. He writes realistically and bluntly tells the reader exactly what we need to know. The plot stays strong throughout the book; there is never a dull moment.  It’s awkward frankness compels us to keep turning the pages to journey on with Charlie. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a fascinating novel, curious and times, and satisfying throughout. I would recommend it to the naive, the experienced, the confused, and the helpless. Finishing The Perks of Being a Wallflower is satisfying, but one can’t help feel a bit sad about leaving Charlie behind.

This was Chbosky’s first novel, followed by two others: Pieces, and Vielleicht lieber Morgen. He is also a screenwriter, and wrote the screenplay for the movie Rent. I have yet to be disappointed by Stephen Chbosky and don’t expect to be. I fell in love with the Perks of Being a Wallflower, and hope others will too.