In honor of Banned Books Week, I reread Stephen Chbosky’s cult classic The Perks of Being a Wallflower to see how it has stood up over
time. In this short, epistolary
novel, Charlie is a socially awkward teenager, fearful of entering high
school. His only friend has
recently committed suicide, and Charlie feels his family does not really
understand him. He becomes friends
with Sam and her stepbrother Patrick, a pair of seniors who take Charlie under
their wing and introduce him to all that is ugly and beautiful in high
school. Charlie’s coming-of-age
journey also includes a young teacher who supplies him with great literature to
read and write about outside of class. As Charlie watches the world spinning
around him, he struggles with his ability to “participate.” His lingering depression coupled with a fear of upsetting
others make it difficult for Charlie to figure out who he is and what he wants
in life, but literature and friendship help him grow in small, believable ways.
My feelings for this novel have changed little over the
years, though I have developed a greater appreciation for Chbosky. I was in college when Perks came out. While I thought the writing was a
little too simplistic, I felt that I understood Charlie. I now realize how adept
Chbosky is in his character development. Charlie’s letters sound completely
authentic, even today. He never came across to me as autistic, as some have
characterized him, just really bright, observant, and kind. His lack of
friends, somewhat cold parents, and self-absorbed siblings explain his
nativity. He loved his aunt, and when she died, he was left emotionally stunted. I did not think Chbosky went
overboard with the teen issues. A
lot happens in this novel (suicide, physical abuse, homosexuality, drug abuse),
but Charlie is just observing the world around him. He has sought out the most interesting people in his school,
and he is better than most of us at paying attention to what is really
happening. The overall message is fairly simple: be yourself and don’t be afraid
to tell others how you feel.
This novel is not life changing for me, but I do think it’s
insightful and interesting. For the past 10 years, it has been among the top 10
most challenged/banned books in the United States, and my rereading has
convinced me Perks is worth a good
censorship fight. The issues presented are handled realistically without judgment. I look forward to seeing the film
adaptation.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Grades 9 and up
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