Review- The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Goodreads Summary:

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. 

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-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. 

But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

REVIEW:

I am not going to say that The Perks Of Being A Wallflower left me speechless because it didn't. If anything, the book has only made me think, think and think some more.

I wasn't even aware of the book until I read that Emma Watson will be starring in a new movie, the on-screen rendition of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. As insane as it may sound, anything I do is partially, if not entirely, decided by  Harry Potter. So just for Emma Watson, I decided I should read The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. And thank you so much, Emma, for simply being in the movie and for making me read this marvelous and absolutely priceless piece of literature.

I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved the book. And Charlie. Oh, dear God! The lovely, precious and truly special Charlie! I could connect with Charlie on such a personal level that I feel elated and blessed to have come across him. I seriously wish Charlie were real. 

Charlie was genuine. He was pure, innocent, sensitive, emotional, and just lovely. It was like I was right there, with Charlie, as Charlie, around Charlie, near Charlie, or whichever makes sense. 

On his journey, Charlie encounters friends who let him in and accept him for who he is. Sam and Patrick were simply superb. I loved them both. They were loving, kind, friendly and absolutely adorable. 
Sam was unique and mad in her own way. She made Charlie look at things with a new and clean perspective. She added a spark to the story. 
Patrick, on the other hand was so much of fun to have around. His life was a slight drama but his hilarious sense of humour brought freshness into the lives of others. 

Charlie's family was great too. I loved his warm and kind parents and his nutty and totally nice siblings. 

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is all about high school, drugs, parties, fitting in, being accepted, finding your place and most importantly it is about finding yourself. Finding yourself in a chaotic, emotional and utterly different world. It is a mature read because drugs, alcohol and homosexuality, although not the major focus, have a lot of prominence in the story.

Stephen Chbosky has done a stunning job. Although an old publication, the book is fresh, clean, delicate, light hearted, tender, tragic and truly hypnotic. It really is. You have to believe me.

I am in complete awe and I feel so delighted to have stumbled upon the world of Charlie, Sam and Patrick.

You know you've read a great book when you know it's going to stay with you for long. Long seems so short in this context. And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower wasn't just a great book, it was a supremely lovely and adorable book.
I'll just end by saying that The Perks Of Being A Wallflower was a special read and will remain so always. 

RATING: