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Perks of Being a Wallflower

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Perks of Being a Wallflower
Perks of being a Wallflower
Perks of Being a Wallflower is the novel I am going to be reviewing today. This novel is written by Stephen Chbosky, born on January 25, 1970. He is also a screenwriter and film director but is best known for writing the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which was released in 1999. He also did the screenwriting and directing of the film version of the same book.
The Perks of being a Wallflower is my all- time favorite book as it covers many teenage difficulties and experiences which I find both relevant to myself and some of my friends and acquaintances. Reading about Charlie’s journey, from his best friend’s suicide through to falling in love with Sam, then remembering being molested by his beloved aunt, sends the reader on an emotional roller coaster. Charlie is a freshman and is shy, introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, yet is socially awkward. He is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is very insecure but when he meets his new friends Sam and Patrick, a whole new world opens up for him. He is finally a part of a group who except him for who he is. He gets to enjoy being a teenager and all the adventures it has to offer, from parties, first dates, dancing, alcohol, drugs and sex. It also helps him realize that everyone has issues they need to deal with and when we share our worries, they are easier to cope with. Like his friend Patrick being gay and secretly dating a high school footballer Brad, who doesn’t want anyone to know about him being gay and being with Patrick. Ultimately Charlie sees Patrick’s struggle with this and helps him when his heart gets broken, and shows how loyal he is by standing up for Patrick.
His friend Sam seems to have it all together but underneath is just like all teenagers, battling her own insecurities and struggling to believe she is enough. Charlie falls for her, feeling safe and comfortable in her company. Their journey to

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