Ahh. Another book about normal weird kids. Charlie is a highschool freshman writing letters to someone he doesn’t know, just to vent his thoughts. Charlie is timid and eager-to-please. He dwells on the deaths of his aunt Helen and his friend Michael. In 9th grade he befriends a pack of seniors: homosexual Patrick (aka Patty, aka Nothing), the beautiful Sam, Mary Elizabeth, Alice, and Bob. Charlie writes to his unknown recipient about drugs, books, movies, and anything else that floats to the top of his head. It feels like Stephen Chbosky wrote most of this book by jotting in letter format what came to mind.
I was not disappointed by “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. I felt bad for Charlie over and over again. I rejoiced with him when he befriended his teacher Bill, and when he felt infinite. I cried when Charlie cried. I was amused when he was high. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” took me through emotional ups-and-downs and friendships and inside jokes that could have been the life of any of my friends, with the exception of the details. Charlie’s hesitations and ponderings were believable. His strongest assets were also his biggest problems. I know Charlies, Patricks, Sams, Mary Elizabeths, and Bobs. Mr. Chbosky has written a very enjoyable and occasionally touching book about coming to terms with yourself, a book that I try to read as often as possible. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” earns two strips of duct tape, a piece of Kleenex, and a place on my Christmas list.
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