This book review was written by Kaylee Ray-Williams of Northwood High School
TRIGGER WARNING: This book depicts abuse (emotional, physical, verbal, and sexual), abusive relationship, anxiety, car accident, death/loss of a loved one, drug/alcohol use, homophobia, hospitalization, mental illness, panic attacks, pregnancy/abortion, PTSD, sex, suicide, trauma, toxic relationships, and violence.
DISCLAIMER: This review contains spoils.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is an authentic piece of young adult literature that encompasses the struggles and triumphs of adolescence. This novel is truthful to the teenage experience and explores the hardships of mental illness that many teens (and adults alike) undergo. Chbosky sprinkles in many humorous aspects throughout the story to balance the serious incidents that the narrator and his peers face. He tackles grim issues like mental illness, trauma, homophobia, abuse, and suicide, while staying sincere and realisitic. Chbosky manages to intensify this feeling of nostalgia that the narration brings, while also giving his input on existentialism and what it means to be alive. This book is truly a work of art that should be read by every teenager.
“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” -Charlie Kelmeckis, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
Chbosky’s groundbreaking novel is set in the early 1990s and follows the letters written by Charlie, who addresses an anonymous reader about his fears of beginning high school. The novel opens amidst Charlie’s coping with two heartbreaking deaths of his loved ones: his Aunt Helen, who died in a car accident on Charlie’s seventh birthday, and his best friend Michael, who committed suicide the previous school year.
Charlie begins his first letter with “I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand…” Charlie is anxious about beginning high school, which is a big transition for anyone, but considering recent events, is an even more considerable adjustment for him. All he wants to feel is a sense of belonging and acceptance, which he severely lacks. In relation to his family, he just feels there. He always feels that he has nothing special or discernable about him compared to his siblings. This causes a lot of self-doubt in Charlie about his relationship with his family. Shortly into the new school year, he finds kinship in the most unlikely people: his advanced English teacher, and high school seniors Sam and Patrick, who are step siblings. Even though he’s found these people, Charlie still struggles with the traumas of his past.
“Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve.” -Bill Anderson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
As the novel progresses, Charlie’s relationships with his friends, his English teacher, and his sister deepen. Sam and Patrick take Charlie to parties, Rocky Horror Picture Show showings, and long car rides through their favorite tunnels.
A significant milestone for Charlie and his sister was when he took her to get an abortion after getting pregnant by her abusive boyfriend. This brings Charlie and his sister closer, which adds to his emotional support, something that he desperately needs as the school year comes to a close.
Abuse and long-lasting trauma are recurring themes in this story. The cycle of abuse is explored throughout many people in Charlie’s life, including Sam, his Aunt Helen, his sister, and himself (which is revealed at the end of the novel). By including this heavy recurring theme in the novel, Stephen Chbosky is not attempting to normalize abuse. He seeks to diminish the stigma created around victims speaking out. By creating a story that wonderfully explores difficult topics, Chbosky is hoping to further the conversations that many ignore.
Another issue explored in this book is homophobia and the environment for LGBTQ+ teens in the 1990s. Patrick, Charlie’s friend, is gay and has a secret relationship with the star quarterback of their high school football team, Brad. Patrick is forced to deal with being in love in secret, while Brad is forced to camouflage his true self to stay safe from his homophobic father. In addition to the abuse faced at home, Brad is outed at school, which would lead to humiliation and bullying, especially during that era. The timing in which this novel was written is relevant to the themes. In the 1990s, homophobia wasn’t taken seriously. There were hostile attitudes towards anyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Stephen Chbosky creates a loveable and relatable character, who is also gay. Similar to the topic of abuse in this novel, homophobia was not glorified. It was discussed in order to create a safe environment in which victims of homophobia could speak out.
“So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” -Charlie Kelmeckis, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
At the climax of the story, Charlie is increasingly worried about his friends graduating and the effect it would have on himself. While Sam is packing for college, her and Charlie begin to make out, which he quickly stops in a panic. This brings a repressed memory to the surface of Charlie’s mind, during a dream. He remembers that when he was young, his Aunt Helen had molested him, just as she had been when she was young. This sends Charlie into a downward spiral that leads him to voluntarily commit himself to a mental hospital over the summer.
The final letter takes place two months later, after Charlie has recovered from his catatonic state, and explains many things that were never covered in previous letters, mostly due to Charlie’s repression of memories that were unearthed during months of therapy. The novel comes to a close with a final ride through the famous tunnel with Sam and Patrick, where he calls back to the beginning of the novel and says he feels “infinite” once again.
“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” -Charlie Kelmeckis, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
The Perks of Being A Wallflower stands out amongst many young adult novels about adolescent experiences. It is the most realistic novel about teenagers. It’s uncensored, blunt, and marvelous. However, it is not a novel to read lightly, as it delves deep into many poignant, yet necessary, topics that many people struggle with.
Moreover, Chbosky develops this story to be a personal experience, finding a way to relate to every reader. The writing style puts you into the life of the narrator and makes you feel as though you are the recipient of these letters. You will feel that you are witness to the tragedies of the characters, yet are unable to help. I believe this feeling of helplessness was intentional; Chbosky wanted the readers to feel the same desperation that every character in his novel feels. You begin to develop a personal connection with Charlie and every other character.
“Enjoy it. Because it’s happening.” -Charlie Kelmeckis, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
Chbosky’s intention is to put you through a heart-wrenching story and suspend you helpless to the events that transpire. This heavily relates to the stigma around mental illness in society. Mental health is massively overlooked, which creates this negative atmosphere around mental illnesses. Chbosky uses The Perks of Being A Wallflower as a social commentary on the neglected struggles faced by modern-day teens. Even though this book is set in the 1990s, it still has a great deal of reality with which 21st century teens can connect. The Perks of Being A Wallflower created a sanctuary for misfits and outcasts in which to seek refuge. Chbosky’s delivery of all these separate issues creates a perfect harmony of realism and guidance. All Charlie wants is to feel less alone. Isn’t that what we all want?
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