The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Steven Chbosky, is a compelling coming-of-age novel that follows 15-year-old Charlie, an introverted and observant teenager, through his freshman year of high school in the early 1990s.

The book is told through letters written by Charlie, although it is not specified to whom the letters are written. These letters show how Charlie’s life changes throughout his first year of high school, as he meets new people, experiences new things, and learns lessons through it all. Through these letters, he shares his experiences with the reader, telling the story of a young person discovering the ins and outs of teenage joy while also learning the ropes of the real world. However, what sets The Perks of Being a Wallflower apart from other similar coming-of-age novels is the way it discusses the intricacies of adolescence. Chbosky captures Charlie’s life in a raw and realistic manner, which lets readers empathize with the characters rather than simply “read” about them. When I was reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it felt as if I were watching someone’s life in front of me instead of reading text on paper.

The way Chbosky portrays Charlie in this story is one of the most important features of the book, since it is his perspective that depicts adolescence in a way other books do not. Charlie, like many of us in high school, is innocent and naive, easily trusting of his friends and open to new experiences. He also loses a close friend and struggles with his mental health, which deteriorates as the story develops. However, through his letters, readers get to see the world from his perspective as they get to know his new, older friends, who recognize him for the "wallflower" that he is and welcome him with open arms. Readers watch as Charlie tries to take the advice of his well-intentioned English teacher to “participate,” seeing things he does not expect to see and seeing others that he should have earlier. Acceptance from his friends is especially emphasized in a few scenes, such as when Charlie accidentally gets high with his friend Patrick. This is when Patrick identifies Charlie as a wallflower, telling him, “You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.” He explains how Charlie experiences the world from a distance, watching things happen and letting them pass.

Readers easily connect with Charlie's story because of the simplicity and bluntness of the writing, and the letters allow readers to empathize with Charlie and understand why he sees things the way he does. The novel does not hesitate to hit the tender spots of the heart, evoking sobs, laughter, and embarrassed chuckles.

Through Charlie’s voice, Chobsky effectively explores the complexity of people, and characters continue to develop as the book goes on. Charlie is not sheltered from bad people, and after seeing people do bad things, he tries to find out why they do it. He wonders why people behave the ways they do, and he wonders how much of that comes from their environment and the people around them. Instead of shutting negativity out, he actively sympathizes with people; an approach that is so heartfelt it entirely affects the way the book reads, as Charlie is not afraid of being as direct as possible about his feelings while making sure readers see everything in its true authentic form. On a personal level, Charlie’s authenticity resonated deeply with me, and reading the book felt more like reading my thoughts. The honesty with which Charlie shared his experiences especially strengthened that connection.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an especially important read for adolescents who may feel out of place in a fast-paced and unfamiliar environment like high school. Chbosky is not afraid to discuss heavy topics like sexuality, mental health, and abuse, but also makes sure to balance them with stories of love and friendship, making the book digestible yet memorable. Generally speaking, literature allows us to step into another person’s shoes, letting us experience the lives of people of different genders or sexualities, different places and times, and different values, which helps us to build empathy with one another. Sometimes, however, there is a character that so closely relates to something a reader has been through that it feels less like empathy and more like a reflection of your own life. Regardless of the reader’s background, Charlie in The Perks of a Wallflower serves as this kind of character.

There is much to learn from Charlie’s experiences, and his voice transcends context: inside every teenager is their own “Charlie,” and inside every adult is a fond memory of theirs. All in all, I would rate the book four out of five stars for its compelling expression of the high school experience. I would highly suggest any high school readers try The Perks of Being a Wallflower because it is a captivating, emotional, and relatable novel that offers a unique perspective on adolescence.