Citation: Chbosky, S. (1999). The perks of being a wallflower. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
Impressions: I really enjoyed how realistic this book is. I also like how Charlie, the narrator, is very honest. I think that is the only way you can really trust him because everyone throughout the novel discusses how brutally honest, almost an innocently, Charlie is. This is an adult novel and I would only recommend it to older teens.
Reviews:
“Charlie is an observer. A bright loner, the new high school freshman becomes the mascot and confidant of a group of older students. In a voice that is both naive and omniscient, he records the tragic and mundane events in the lives of his friends and family, using a series of remarkable letters addressed to his "dear friend." From Charlie we learn about one friend's suicide, experiments with drugs, heterosexual and homosexual love affairs gone wrong, bitter family memories, and his own mysterious Aunt Helen. Chbosky never falters, always maintaining Charlie's perspective perfectly. By getting to know Charlie's pals, would-be girlfriends, teachers, and family, we find out a great deal about Charlie himself. In the same matter-of-fact voice, Charlie describes watching the rituals of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, taking his sister for an abortion, and being hospitalized for acute depression. Even when he is urged by his English teacher to become a participant and not an observer, he remains oddly detached. Only at the very end of the story do we learn the real reason for Charlie's detachment. The novel has the disjointed and almost dreamlike quality of a music video. Charlie's freshman year provides a framework for the story, with flashbacks to his childhood. Designation of this title as an "MTV Book" should ensure wide readership. I would recommend this coming-of-age story to readers who enjoyed Catcher in the Rye.”- Jamie Hansen
Hansen, J. (1999).The perks of being a wallflower (book review). VOYA, 22(5). Retrieved from Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.
Library Setting: Since this is a mature novel, I would probably set up a book talk. I would discuss with teen patrons about some questions they may have from reading the book. I would also ask the patrons what songs would they put on a mix tape to give another person. Have them design an album cover and shares the music that they would like to give to another person.
