Tolog Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
reviewed by Emily Gomez

Stephen Chbosky beautifully portrays the life of teenager going through high school with an acute perception of his surroundings in his novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The author addresses sensitive yet relevant issues throughout his novel, such as depression, drugs and alcohol, sex, and relationships. The novel, written in the first person, gives the audience a clear account of what high school is like for some. Also, the author does not use the real names of the characters. This leads to anonymity amongst the characters and the audience. Chbosky details the life of Charlie, the main character, through describing his actions, but more importantly, his thoughts. As Charlie finds friends and experiences high school, he finds himself through understanding that he is unlike the kids around him. Therefore, his high school experience will be different, as well.

In the beginning, the reader ascertains that the book is a collection of letters written to someone when Chbosky starts with, “Dear friend” (2). By writing the novel in letters, it gives the audience the ability to understand the main character’s thoughts more clearly. Also, it leads to the question, who is this character writing to? Thus leaving the reader turning every page in order to find out. In addition, the author forms the plot around the first letter. Chbosky writes, “I will call people by different names or generic names because I don’t want you to find me” (2), to inform the audience that no one in the book is called by their real name. This statement, also, leaves the reader curious about why the author of these letters does not want the recipient to know who he is. Both of these examples shows that the reader is immediately left questioning the novel in the very first lines. By doing this, the author is able to keep the audience reading so he/she can determine who the book is meant for and why the main character does not want the receiver to know who he is. 

Through the questions Chbosky leaves the reader with, he produces an invigorating novel with new perspectives on the issues that teens face throughout high school. I would recommend this novel to those who are looking to understand others’ high school experience and what goes through some people’s minds over the course of those four years. Also, this book offers the audience the ability to question his/her own high school life. Chbosky provides the reader with the capability of interpreting the opinions of the main character.