Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a riveting look into the life of Charlie, an introspective high school freshman with a traumatizing past. Unlike a typical novel, the story of The Perks of Being a Wallflower unfolds through letters that Charlie writes to an anonymous friend. Much like a wallflower, Charlie is an observer. He examines his fragile new high school friendships, struggles with the complexities of love and sex, and tries (as we all do) to triumph over the roadblocks of being a teenager.

I admit that I am a literary snob. I am trying to get over my snobbery, but it’s a slow process. I almost counted out The Perks of Being a Wallflower because of its association with MTV. DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!

For me, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was nothing short of a page-turner. I found the tragedy of Charlie’s story fascinating. Moreover, Chbosky’s writing succinctly captures the humanity in so many of Charlie’s experiences, and gives a real taste of what its like to feel infinite. This book is perfect for teens in the trenches of high school, or the rest of us who want to look back and smile at how it was for us.

One reoccurring criticism that I hear about Perks is that it attempts to be the new Catcher in the Rye. Admittedly, there are similarities between the two novels, and Charlie even reads Catcher in the Rye in the novel (obviously Chbosky’s tribute to Salinger). Yet, Holden Caulfield and Charlie are very different. Details of the contrast worth debating, but from one Catcher in the Rye fan to another, I promise that The Perks of Being a Wallflower will not disappoint.

Overall Grade: A+

A note for parents and teachers: The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a fantastic and engaging book for young adult readers, but I would encourage parents and teachers to read the book before or with adolescence under the age of 16. Though I would argue that Perks stays true to the experiences of many young teens, drug use, sexuality, domestic violence, rape, and homosexuality are all discussed in detail. Just FYI.