BY AMY PHILLIPS

 

A complicated coming of age story about a young boy in early 1990s America growing up surrounded by drinking and drug use, relationships, prejudice, mental health and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a literary work that almost everyone has heard of as this 224-page novel was recently adapted into an award-winning film, garnering praise for bringing the story to another generation.

Reminiscent of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, this novel is a story told by Charlie - a young teenager who is an intelligent and unconventional thinker, yet also a shy and unpopular boy who has just started high school.

He meets Patrick, a senior, who introduces him to his social circle and soon Charlie finds himself living a life with friends he had not previously experienced. He tells his story in the first person through the means of letters, which he sends to an anonymous stranger. All dated days, weeks, and months apart from each other, the letters contain personal details and stories about his life, his family and his friends.

Charlie’s unique perception of the world around him results in laughs and tears and can take you on an emotional rollercoaster if you really allow yourself to open up to his experiences not only with himself, but his closest friends.

An all-time favourite book of mine and absolute classic originally published in the 90s, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is a perfect beginning of the year book with messages that are still relevant to the youth of today - overcoming adversity and life's complications, keep looking forward and embrace the positives – wrapped in literary brilliance.

That attitude is what we all want to start a new year with, and this book allows you the courage to put those demons to rest and move on with life.

After all, if Charlie can do it, we all can. Lastly, to quote Charlie: "We don't get to choose where we came from, but we can choose where we go from there."

 

This book was published by Simon and Schuster and is available to buy for £7.99. It can also be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.