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Perks of Being a Wallflower
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Perks of Being a Wallflower
Unavailable
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Audiobook6 hours

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Written by Stephen Chbosky

Narrated by Noah Galvin

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

Most people think 15-year-old Charlie is a freak. But then seniors Patrick and his beautiful stepsister Sam take Charlie under their wings and introduce him to their eclectic, open-minded, hard-partying friends. It is from these older kids that Charlie learns to live and love.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives or to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music—when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive.


Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Editor's Note

Beyond a cult classic…

Quiet implications of deep distress and profound happiness litter this epistolary novel, penned by outsider Charlie, who makes inroads with various cliques to move past cliches. A modernized “The Catcher in the Rye”.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 28, 2012
ISBN9781470331795
Author

Stephen Chbosky

Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed the feature film adaptation of his award-winning novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He has worked in film and television, on projects including the film version of the smash-hit musical Rent; the TV show Jericho; and others. He also edited Pieces, a collection of short stories for Pocket Books. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chbosky graduated from the University of Southern California’s Filmic Writing Program. His first film, The Four Corners of Nowhere, premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Follow Stephen on Twitter @StephenChbosky.

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Reviews for Perks of Being a Wallflower

Rating: 4.016099426899212 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Better the second time around.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    When I first started The Perks of Being a Wallflower I didn't expect to like it. It's about people in high school and the turmoil of emotions they go though, been there done that, I've moved on. I ended up really enjoying the book because even though I have passed that age I can still remember what it was like from reading the book. I felt I was a lot like Charlie, a lurker/observer watching everyone else live life in high school. I felt Charlie was overly naive but I will give the writer the benefit of a doubt and assume it's a different time period and a different person, maybe some kids were that naive. I liked that the book was written in forms of letters, made it more personal, but it also included actual dialogue so it was a good mixture. I felt I had a good sense of Patrick and Sam from the way Charlie described them and his emotions towards them. The character the reader gets to know the best is of course Charlie. I normally don't like when authors describe their characters by listing what kind of music and books he likes, but it works for The Perks of Being a Wallflower because many teenagers feel that is what defines them. I liked how the beginning of the book did wrap into the end, it made it more of a story because before that happened there didn't really seem to be much of a plot other than seeing Charlie's world from his perspective for a year. With that said I wished that played a bigger role because it wasn't a big part of the plot that popped up here and there and "explains" why Charlie was a wallflower who didn't participate. I did feel that the book tried to be a little too deep with a message. Overall a good book and a fast read that I feel like many people will enjoy even if they aren't high school aged because everyone remembers those times, whether or not you were a wallflower back then there is still something relatable to it. I'm surprised this was turn into a movie, I don't know how well it will transfer over but I do look forward to seeing it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a wonderful story. It is written in the form of letters from the main character to someone he doesn't even know. The letters are incredibly touching and spoken in such a "true" manner. I loved it. Everyone should read this book, and damn all the people screeching for this book to be taken out of high school libraries. This is exactly the kind of book that teenagers need today.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Top three thoughts:
    1. Loved Charlie's narrative voice.
    2. The twist at the end seemed overwrought.
    3. The audiobook narrator sounded like he was about fifty years old, but he nailed the slightly nerdy tone.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is simply amazing. The writing is beautiful, and extremely unique. Charlie's thoughts are so innocent, but not naive. More like brutally honest. I can honestly say that this book has changed the way i think, and it made tears stream down my cheeks.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's been a long time since I've read a book I enjoyed so much and was able to savor so thoroughly. The humanity just oozes from the pages. It was highly refreshing and a soothing salve from the daily onslaught of crap coming from the current presidential race. I'm very sorry that it took me so long to discover it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A bildungsroman (I can't handle, but will forever remember, this word - thanks Mrs Allen) of high school in the early '90s.So emo, "Just tell me how to be different in a way that makes sense."But perceptive (if not Beatles inspired), "all the books you've read have been read by other people. And all the songs you've loved have been heard by other people. And that girl that's pretty to you is pretty to other people. And you know that if you looked at these facts when you were happy, you would feel great because you are describing 'unity.'It's like when you are excited about a girl and you see a couple holding hands, and you feel so happy for them. And other times you see the same couple, and they make you so mad [sad]. And all you want is to always feel happy for them because you know that if you do, then it means that you're happy, too."States the truth eloquently, "let the quiet put things where they are supposed to be." My quiet is nature, restores sanity - temporarily.And ends with hope, "believe that things are good with me, and even when they're not, they will be soon enough."OMG, this playlist. Spotify Charlie's List.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An epistolary novel, which is uncommon these days, this is the story of Charlie and his freshman year in high school. But more than that it is Charlie's experience of beginning to find himself through experiences that are awkward, difficult, yet sometimes rewarding in unexpected ways. The appeal of Charlie's voice makes this a great coming of age story while the twists and turns of the plot add to the reader's enjoyment, This is a thoroughly thought-provoking book for anyone who was once a young teenager negotiating school, family, friends and life in general.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    For some reason I've always thought this was written in the 70's or maybe earlier, so I was surprised to find its set in the 90's & has a modern voice. Its very innocently written, which brought a lot to what was a fairly simple story. I like it when adult authors revisit childhood or the teen years, & manage to fill in the gaps of perspective gleaned only in maturity whilst still retaining the personality & naive voice of the young character. I enjoyed this book a lot, & think its as good a place as any to get into (or continue to enjoy, as in my case) reading coming-of-age stories, which I have a huge soft-spot for.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    this book is on my all time favourite book list. it just captures you and you can;t stop reading. love it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I had to read this book for school as a part of the summer book reading program at my high school. I have to run a group discussion for it tomorrow with a group of 15 students - none of whom I have met. The story itself was up and down for me. I liked the main character as I felt like he was this smart kid who could never figure out how to act socially. The down parts were far too many though. This short book fit in about every teenage issue you could find from drugs, to abortion, to kids being molested, to fathers hitting children, to racist grandfathers, to boyfriends hitting girlfriends, to casual straight and homosexual sex - all of this in a quick 200 pages. I have no issues with any of these things being in the novel, but it was overwhelming and depressing to read them page after page. I am a bit terrified to have a discussion about these issues with teenagers I have never met, so let's hope for the best!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Wanted to read this before the movie comes out, and for banned book week.
    Enjoyed - don't see what the fuss is about re: banning - if you pay attention to your child what they read is not the most formative influence of their lives.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Chbosky writes an epistolary novel in which the main character, Charlie, writes of his teenage experiences to an anonymous reader. Charlie is an introverted, shy, and unpopular teenager who experiences the rites of passage to adulthood through observation. Charlie indirectly explores the world of drinking, sexuality, and drugs by hanging with his sister and his older friends. In fact, it is the subject matter and language that lands The Perks of Being a Wallflower on many banned books lists. The themes in the novel include body image, first love, suicide, eating disorder, and sexuality. The popularity of the text is attributed to the "real" language of the characters and the universal situations to which teens can relate. Although I think that this book is a good example of universal theme, I seldom use it. Since the book includes many references to pop culture, one potential use of the book would be in a unit exploring the effect of pop culture on society.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of those books you can read cover to cover on a rainy afternoon but be forewarned, once you hit the last page you will flip back to page one and start all over again. Charlie is a typical shy teenager on the eve of his first day as a freshman in high school. With a strong desire to unburden his life he's writing letters, diary style, to an unknown person he has chosen out of the phone book. Why he writes these letters we'll never know, but what emerges is a portrait of a sensitive kid just trying to make it in the world. Just like a diary we are privy to his coming of age, his intellectual growth, his emerging personality. Personally, as I got to know Charlie better and better I found myself constantly sucking in my breath, willing him to not get hurt. I came to care about him that much. Even though the ending is a clear as an oncoming rain storm I didn't want to believe in its terrible beauty.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Don't remember it too well, so the rating is how much I think I liked it. Sorry.

    ETA - I keep seeing people talk about this, and I still can't remember much of it. I'm taking another star off, from 3 to 2, because I judge books as weaker if they're not memorable. A good book should stick with a reader.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Actual Rating: 3.5
    POV: 1st Person
    Genre: Fiction
    This book is written as a series of letters from the MC, Charlie, to an anonymous "friend." At the beginning, it seemed like it may be a bunch of mundane musings of a teenage boy about his life, but as the story progressed, you get sucked into Charlie's life and real issues arise. Charlie struggles with typical teenage problems such as starting high school and making friends but also with a lot deeper and more serious matters. I really enjoyed that the MC's voice comes across as the 15/16 year old boy he is; it makes the correspondence sounds more realistic and believable. Overall, this was a quick read, but still a potent one.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Okay. I am one of those people. We watched this movie in the theater, and I liked it enough that I demanded Andrew take me straight to the bookstore after the movie, where I raced around trying to find a copy before close, not exactly remembering the spelling of the author's name, and forgetting if this was supposed to be fiction or a memoir, and absolutely refusing to ask for help because I was chagrined about buying a movie tie-in book in the first place. (When I finally found it I was elated there were no actor's faces on the cover, but then I saw the promotional emblem -- Now a Major Motion Picture! Curses!) I had to pick two "serious" books before I checked out in order to "redeem" my image in the eyes of the booksellers, who only cared that I finished my purchase before closing time.

    I blew through this book in a day. It is a relatively slim volume, but still, I'm not entirely sure how I made that happen. It is certain that I enjoyed the book more because I was already emotionally involved with the characters from the movie. Which helped smooth over some of the scenes and situations that were either too much or too distant. But in between there were enough moments that were truly delightful, or so achingly familiar that it mostly managed to live up to my expectations.

    I know this is something of a cult novel, and that for many, this is one of the best coming of age novels of all time. I wouldn't go that far, and not just, I think, because I was five years or so too old when it came out. But there were plenty of moments of recognition to appreciate -- about being introverted, being trusted with secrets, feeling "infinite" (no matter how hokey that sounds, I know what he means), feeling trapped by others' expectations and desires. Enough to forgive nearly anything in the moments in between.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is a heartwrenching tale about a high school freshman named Charlie who is dealing with a friends recent suicide, experimenting with drugs, having a crush, and not being the "popular" kid in school. This story is one I think many students would be able to relate to it feels so genuine the way the tale is told through Charlies letters to an anonymous friend. I am an adult and I could still relate to this story, I felt it to be very compelling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the most optimistic, hopeful book I have ever read. It is beautiful, and gorgeous, and... infinite.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is my second time reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the first time being for a class on young adult literature, and it is just as powerful the second time around.Here we have Charlie, probably not his name as he is writing letters to a stranger he thinks will understand him but also wishing to remain anonymous and informs this stranger from the start that names have been changed. Charlie is just starting high school and needs someone to share things with, someone not family. He finds this someone in a stranger he heard about from a friend at school. He thinks this stranger is a good person so he begins to write letters to him, starting each one "Dear friend."And, in the place of this "friend," we enter Charlie's world and follow his life for the next year. He's a quirky, quiet kid with issues. Some we know, some we're about to learn. But reading about Charlie's experiences, at least for me, made me think an awful lot about my life in high school and my life since. That's the beauty of Chbosky's book, the reader will more than likely find something to connect with.This is one I actually find hard to write about because the story is just so impactful that I want people to experience it for themselves instead of reading what I thought about it. Just, really, if you haven't read it yet, please do. It's worth your time.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of the single most beautiful books I have read. It made me realize that life is full of possibilities, if you just remember not to set on the sidelines of life. You have to be yourself and not apologize for it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    teen boy recounting his freshman year experiences both inside and outside of school through a series of letters to a stranger. Quick read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This was a surprisingly effective coming of age story and a gripping "listen." It has some melodramatic elements; packs a lot of "issues" into a fairly short space; yet communicated, for me, some of the emotional intensity of adolescence and the moments of magic and menace. Being an intensely shy, withdrawn kid myself (lo, those many years ago), I related to the call to "participate!" Still have to tell myself that, actually...
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    yes, it was amazing. And you have to read the last 20 pages or so to see why. It got very emotional at the end. From the first page, I connected with Charlie, I thought he was a she! Yes, until later it was that I realized that it was a boy. I was enjoying reading it. But the ending gripped me, I even started shaking a bit, and held back my tears. Not everyone might feel that way, because not everyone can connect to what the characters went through, but I believe that many would. And this is a great book, I am VERY glad I have read it :)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    If I could force every single human being to read a book it would be this one. One of my favorite books of all time, Chbosky captured the essence of being a teenager, even though this book was written years ago I could still relate to it. I remember reading it 2 years ago in my junior year and to this day, I still can't seem to put it down.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    When I finished this book, I just sat and stared at the floor, allowing this epistle to fall around my mind and settle in its place. It is very affecting. It is very dark. While it has doses of humor, the feelings that it employs are very real, piercing and difficult to feel ... again.

    Everyone tells me that high school makes "the best years of your life". Well, I am not sure where these people went to high school, but I wouldn't go back to those years for any amount of money or fame. The years of a high schooler are grueling, confusing, treacherous and painful. You are growing mentally, academically, physically, emotionally and independently. Like a moth becoming a butterfly, tearing yourself out of that cocoon is quite a feat, and not all survive, some are damaged and very few of us see those years as our best.

    This is a clear and concise account of a teen making the transition from boy to young man. The fact that he has a mental issue on top of it makes the story even more poignant rather than out-of-touch. It adds to his struggle. The solid family life, the teacher who reaches out to him and his coping mechanisms are very real and true. I loved the constant references to books (and the fact that read them over and over), and his need to provide a meaningful soundtrack to whatever circumstance in which he found himself.

    This book is a period of time of a real life; a real boy; a real situation. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Such a pretty book. Charlie is such a unique & thougthful character. The way that he talks is his own way, I just fell in love with him, his messed up world, his love for his friends that was almost tragic. The way he talks about a photo only being pretty because of the girl in it, or how his mom should be celebrated on his birthday cause she was there too, or the feeling of being "infinite". I could read this book forever and still love it every time.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It's like Catcher in the Rye before Holden lost his innocence.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The main character seemed much younger than his sixteen years would suggest. Initially, I couldn't figure out if that was because he had mental issues, or to blame on bad writing. The more I got into it, the more I enjoyed it, and realized it was the former. Not nearly as funny as other reviews suggested, but a good book nonetheless with an ending I didn't see coming. Quick read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Dear Friend, ...Begins this haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion. This story told through letters more intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.