The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Stephen Chbosky. Recorded Books, 2005. 6 discs/6.5 hours. $19.99 (Audiobook-CD) Grades 9-12.  

It is often easier to watch life happen and not live it, especially when you feel out of place. Fifteen-year-old Charlie never had many friends, and the one he did have left the world without him. Charlie spends his days being observant, listening, and questioning his surroundings until he meets upperclassmen Patrick and Sam. He finds acceptance in this group of liberal and passionate misfits and begins to feel at home. Running with an older crowd forces him to grow up quickly, however, and he is confronted with repressed feelings and harsh reality.  Chbosky poignantly portrays the challenges of high school, being different, and a variety of personal battles in an honest, open way that readers can relate to. The personal, conversational style creates a bond that allows the audience to feel the character’s emotion and narrator Johnny Heller brings Charlie’s thoughts to life in an entrancing way. Abuse, sex, drugs, suicide, homosexuality, rock and role and life are all expressed and experienced in a way that teens will understand and appreciate despite the controversy. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a frank and candid look at growing up with baggage and learning to lay it down and live. A great read or listen for teens. Highly Recommended  

 My Thoughts…

I remember my roommate going on about wanting to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower and I didn’t respect her taste in literature so I brushed it off. When she accidentally ordered the audio book she gave it to me, since I am the one who takes road trips. Well, I am so glad she did, because I couldn’t wait to get in the car and find out what was going to happen next in this interesting, dark and engaging look from the outside. While learning about this title I ran across articles debating its appropriateness in classrooms and curriculum. While I see why parents’ jaws would drop while reading this book (mine did a few times), it should not be pulled from the shelves because the issues discussed, drugs, sex, homosexuality, abuse, and suicide are the sad and true facts of life. Unfortunately teenagers get caught up in issues like this and often have no where to turn or how to respond. I think this is a great book for strong readers to undertake, however, because some of the crucial moments would soar right over the heads of some students. In that regard I could see how this book could cause more harm than good.  

I couldn’t help comparing Charlie’s high school experience with my own while reading, and I think the stark contrast from the story and my life made me appreciate the story even more. I was as straight laced as they come in high school: no smoking, no drinking, no sex, no this that and the other. Granted, this could have been because I lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone else and what they drove. I know, however, that some of my friends had this insane, mixed up time, and I wondered if their experiences were similar with Charlie’s. My guess is no, due to the other circumstances in Charlie’s life, but that made me think further…Charlie internalized his abuse to the point where he almost forgot it happened but lived differently anyway. I wonder how many other teenagers are affected by something similar. I fear that in the ‘real world’ these kids won’t find friends like Sam and Patrick to help them. Since I was listening to this book on CD at intervals I feel like I missed some of the key details that I would have paid more attention to had I held the book in my hand. For example, I am a little confused to what Aunt Helen did exactly, I know there was some sort of abuse, but I can’t pinpoint what happened. Since the book fell on 6 different CDs there is no way I can find the right track to remind myself, and even if I had the book finding that same part would be difficult.

Another key thought that I had while listening and while reflecting on this book is how Charlie bonded with the people three years older than him. He never really fit in with his own classmates, except Michael, who didn’t make it. This idea seemed questionable to me, since in high school you rarely see seniors befriending freshmen, but it also seemed familiar to me. I have always bonded with people older than me. My best friends from childhood were 5 and 7 year older, and now my boyfriend/best friend is 11 years older than me. I get along better with my older coworkers than I do those my age as well. I don’t think I am especially mature or have the need to converse with those more life experience or intelligence, it just seems that it works out better that way. When I stop to think about it, however, I realize I grew up too fast like Charlie, but in a completely different way. I really enjoyed this book because it spoke to me personally without even trying and it opened my eyes to what I haven’t seen before. I have a hunch that I am not the only person who would react this way too.

Potential Reaction…

Due to the controversial topics in this book (sex, drugs, abuse, homosexuality, etc.) as well as the hype surrounding it, I think that teens would be interested in reading the book. I think that once they delve in they will forget about the superficial thrill and excitement of these things and become part of the story. Of course, this may only be true of stronger, more observant, or more mature readers. I do think some young adults would gloss over the coming of age, emotional turmoil and overall  story and just focus on the ‘drama’ of break ups, highs, and hook-ups. I think this would be more likely to occur if the book as was assigned, however, because I think if students were recommended this book or found it on their own they would want ‘to get’ the story. I also wonder if readers without a personal connection to any of the themes in the story or those who may be on the younger end of the spectrum may be disillusioned or blind sided by the experiences of Charlie and his friends. For example, I would have never known that things like this went on if I was homeschooled or if I came from a much more rural town. I think while these readers may be shocked or confused, I think it would open their eyes to what does go on outside their walls.

I think other readers will be able to relate to Charlie or some of the other characters and find comfort or a friend in this book. I think the text not only shows teens dealing with some difficult issues, but it also offers hope of them coping and reaching a better place. I loved how it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies crap too, and that every thing worked out, because it isn’t like that in the real world, and I think readers will appreciate the honesty of that. I don’t think teens who have ‘been there’ would appreciate reading something sugar coated and I think Chbosky does a good job of avoiding this. I would hope or wonder if readers who may have been abused would reach out for help after reading this. I don’t think all readers, especially if they are too young, will understand this book at all, and may just not like it. There are subtle points and plot twists that may not get picked up on and alter the message of the story completely. I think that most negative reactions could be avoided if the reader is of the right age and approaches this book with a positive attitude.  

 Reminds Me Of…

I wish I knew of more books like this when I was a teenager, or even now for that matter. While I know they exist (since I was curious and started poking around) I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of them. I am certain that I will run in to similarly themed books, however, over the course of this independent study.

I have read books that deal with some of the many topics explored in this title, however, and would recommend those to readers interested in that specific aspect of the book. For example, I read and loved The God Box and then Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez. These titles feature high school teens struggling with accepting themselves and their diversities, primarily their homosexuality. Abuse (physical and emotional) as well as struggling with internal conflicts are also found in these books, and like Charlie found comfort in reading and music, characters in these titles find other outlets. When I was a young adult I also read the David Pelzer series starting with A Child Called It, The Lost Boy and finally A Man Named Dave. I would not classify these books as young adult materials, that is for sure, but the struggles of growing up and dealing with abuse were in the back of my mind. I wonder, however, is some teenagers would be ready to read such heavy titles if they have been in a similar situation. I was also reminded of Marcelo in the Read World by Francisco Stork as I listened to this book. In this title the main character observes the world and lives differently due to a mild form of autism. While Charlie is not autistic, Marcelo and Charlie both experience life and see the world in different ways, and they both are introduced to aspects of life in nontraditional ways. I think if readers enjoyed watching the mental and emotional growth and experiences of Charlie, they too would enjoy watching Marcelo begin to experience life.