This site is a guide to the book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.
It will take you through each section of the book, from a simple synopsis, to chapter breakdowns, and a psychological analysis of the story and characters.
Each section is defined in the navigation bar to the right, with links throughout to relevant sections, and the references page will forward you to other useful sites, videos and articles on the book.
This is NOT written by a professional, simply an autistic dude with a special interest of this book.
This means you should NOT cite this page in any academic writing, simply use it as a guide and inspiration leading you to more thorough resources.
At times throughout this site, the book will be referred to as "Perks", purely to save me typing out the name each time.
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publication: 1999
Genre: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Epistolary
Setting: Early 1990s, suburban Pittsburgh
Format: Written as letters from Charlie to an unnamed friend (also known as an Epistolary format)
This 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. 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 the perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.
Stephen Chbosky is best known as the author of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", published in 1999 as well as being the screenwriter and director for the highly successful 2012 film adaptation. This was his his debut novel, in fact, he has only written one other book ("Imaginary Friend", a psychological horror published in 2019)! Chbosky also directed the 2017 film "Wonder", as well as the 2021 film adaptation of "Dear Evan Hansen". He has worked on a number of different films and television shows, however I feel that these are the most well known of his works.
"Perks" was first published by MTV books in 1999, with critical responses being mixed- it was banned in many American schools due to it's controversial themes. In fact, it became the tenth most banned and challenged book between 2000 and 2009 according to the ALA.
With the book being set in the early 1990's, there are many references which may seem outdated to a modern reader, including callbacks to cultural markers, such as mixtapes, typewriters and popular 90's music (including The Smiths- a personal favourite of mine).
The literary style and simple language used reflect Charlie's voice clearly, showing both his innocence and trauma. The intimate and confessional tone make it feel almost like you are reading a diary. The epistolary style is used in many other novels, perhaps the most famous being Bram Stoker's "Dracula" or Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (although epistolary form is just one of many used in the latter).
"Perks" fits into the mold of many genres, whilst still feeling unique. It can be classified as a Coming-of-age novel (also known as a Bildungsroman), as well as a Young Adult book, however there is a clear crossover into the adult audience. The mix of realism and psychological exploration makes it a compelling read for any audience.
In the 1990's there was limited awareness of mental health in teens, and LGBTQ+ acceptance was very rare in highschools, which is perhaps why Patrick's struggles resonate with the audience. The novel reflects real issues teens faced (and still face) including, but not limited to, depression, peer pressure, identity and belonging.
So why is this book still relevant today? Why does it still resonate? Is it perhaps due to the honest depiction of adolescence? Or is it the still rarely seen accurate exploration of trauma and healing? I believe that the novels relatability is what makes it a must read today, even 25+ years after publication. Not only that, but also it had a massive influence on young adult literature, and paved the way for more open discussions of mental health- particularly in teens.