The Perks of being a Wallflower
book report by Aditi Mahadware
The Perks of being a Wallflower is a coming of age epistolary novel authored by American writer Stephen Chobsky, published on February 1, 1999, by Pocket Books. The Bildungsroman follows Charlie, a 15-year-old nervous high school sophomore, who writes anonymous letters to someone he knows to feel at ease. Taking instances from his own memories, Stephen Chobsky worked on this book for 5 years. The Young Adult found itself to be one of the New York Times Bestsellers and bagged multiple awards such as ALA Best Books for Young Adults award for the year 2000.
Stephen Chobsky showed the journey of Charlie as he transitions from the fringes of life, being a wallflower, to the middle of the dance floor as he finds himself participating in life. The book deals with mental health, rape, toxic masculinity, drug use and, sexuality. Marginally, the book also highlights domestic violence, underage pregnancy, friendship, love, underage drinking, and, suicide. The book is also heavily filled with music and literature references.
The reader can observe Charlie evolve as a writer after vital engagement with his English teacher and mentor; as the book progresses, his letters can be noticed having better sentence structures and better vocabulary. The book attempts to answer poignant questions as Charlie navigates the troubled waters of adolescence and trauma from non-consented sexual relations. The book will make you laugh, cry, and ponder over lingering philosophical questions. In Charlie’s words, it will send you shooting through a tunnel of emotions and you could swear that you feel infinite.
chewed pencil 