Rating: 
Summary: 2.5 stars - An MTV Novel for the MTV Generation
Review: When I first read this book, it came highly reccomended to me by a theater instructor I had at the time (around the time when the book first came out). Upon reading it I was highly entertained and believed this book to be a revelation of some sort.
Now I look back and understand why the sleeve of the book reads "MTV Books".Did it not occur to anybody how unbelievable oxymoronic the term "Music-Television-Books" is? It also seems like a hostile takeover of all forms of media from the corporate giant. Anyways, to the book... Basically, The Perks of Being a Wallflower will appeal an immense amount to two kinds of people: losers that listen to 'emo' and people that want to be losers that listen to 'emo' (in other words, high-schoolers). The book in no way, really, will reflect anybodys teenage life, which is a comment this book seems to be getting alot of. Yet, I'd like to see the person who has a nervous breakdown at age 16 and sits naked on his couch on account of the building pressure. Furthermore, this books portrayal of an 'alternative crowd' is rather sickening, as it once again enforces the idea to listen to music and watch certain movies not because of entertainment or artistic value, but because of the mere fact that they are not popular. Excuse me for being blunt and dogmatic, but it is not only lame to enjoy the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it is also downright disgusting. The book is basically an attempt at a modernized and generic Catcher in the Rye; only the character in The Perks of Being a Wallflower is such a sissy. Heres the basic rundown of why I cannot stand this book:
The main character is a huge sissy; I want a protagonist that can tell me something; not one that just rehashes out the same teen-angst that is already dished out in every movie and song in the first place...I'm sick and tired of this entire "it's cool to be depressed" thing that is happening in the United States. Stop whining and read a real book by a real author like Philip K. Dick or Graham Greene. Also, people need to start listening to real rock and roll again; not this 'vintage' garage crap or this horrible 'emo' music. This book is only enforcing the teen-angst idea that isn't real in the first place. Teen-angst is just as much a product as Crest toothpaste. It isn't real, it only exists because books, movies, and commercial music invented it. Stop whining and think about life for a second; stand up for yourself and stop being such a wimp. THAT IS WHY 'THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER' IS AN MTV BOOK FOR MTV VIEWERS.
Rating: 
Summary: A 'Non-Reader's' Opinion:
Review: The entire book revolves around Charlie's life; how his friends around him are, and how they betray him, his family and how much he values all of them. This book really has two different plots going for it at once. There are the scenes with friends (Sam and Patrick) and then the scenes with Charlie and his family. Now, in my opinion, the Sam and Patrick plot is more effective and worth while in this book and the family chapters were sentimental, but did not catch my interests nearly enough. I guess I look for stuff that I can relate to as a teenager and the high school plot is easier to follow. I also loved reading about Charlie learn about romance. Anyway, before I give anything else away, I give this book 5 big stars. It's rare that a book can hold my attention these days. This novel held my attention -- and made me very happy. Let me share the news about 2 other great books that I bought over Amazon.com: Dogrun by Nersesian, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez. These 3 books make up my new "home library" and I know I'll read them again and again. Coming from a big non-reader, that statement is pretty scary.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingely Wonderful
Review: I didn't like the writing style, and I didn't like the story...until the last forty pages. All of a sudden everything picked up, came together, and honestly floored me. I swear this book is worth your time. I literally had to stand up and move around a little while after finisheing it because it just plain old inspired me. I don't read often, I could read this book a couple more times. I made a new friend, and it is the main character in this book.
Rating:
Summary: One Amazing Novel
Review: I wasn't sure I was going to like The Perks of Being a Wallfower because of its lay-out; instead of being a continuous novel it was a series of letters. However after the first few pages I quickly found myself enthralled. I strongly reccommend The Perks of Being a Wallfower to any high schooler, and even those who have graduated from high school. I was able to so closely relate with Charlie, the writer of the letters, and found myself crying and laughing along with him. This short novel is an easy but life-changing read. It lets us relive those high school memories that we have chosen not to remember, and those high school memories that we will cherish for the rest of our life. I am sure you will find yourself reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower again and again.
Rating:
Summary: A Popcorn Novel That Reads Like a 200-page Ad for MTV
Review: Most teenage readers will undoubtably like this book--a lot. It resonates very strongly with the teenager who, like this book's protagonist, is angsty. That's not an inherently bad thing. This book reads very quickly, and I admit that I too enjoyed almost all of it. It's full of so many universal teenage situations, that I couldn't help but to apply it to my own life. That's a kind way of saying that this book is very trite. Chbosky plays with a particular image of the teenage years, and it just so happens that this image revolves very much around pop culture--especially music. It's really no wonder why MTV selected it for publication: It reads like a really long advertisement for the teenage, MTV-style archetype, and it's highly romanticized. Chbosky knows that in the 90s music world, anybody who's anybody listened to Nirvana, and if they didn't, they wish they had. I suppose the reader is supposed to feel a connection to the story's characters because they all listened to the same music. All-in-all, this book is often moving, in it's own overdramatic way, but it's nothing special. The letter format that Chbosky follows is just a device, used--again--to make the story seem applicable directly to the reader. The ending is a let down. In short, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is highly overrated. But hey, everyone's already read it, and in order to fit in, you should too (and listen to Nirvana, and watch MTV, and...). It is, for what it's worth, a relatively accurate (though very stylized and oversimplified) look at the teenage years in the 1990s. It's anything but a masterpiece, but many teenage readers will think it's the greatest book ever written.
Rating:
Summary: A rare treat.
Review: You won't come across a gem like this every day. I'm 33 years old, but when I stumbled across this book almost by accident, it became an instant all-time favorite. Chbosky's protagonist, Charlie, pulls you into his world where his experiences are all too relatable. I won't compare this book to any other "coming of age" tales because "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" sets a new standard. I read it in two days and the book is still on my mind. Charlie is too real. He'll remind you of friends, relatives, and probably a little bit of yourself. Just read this book. It's honest and heartwarming. And brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Infinite;
Review: I don't think there was one moment through reading this book were i was not satisfied. After every letter i read, i found myself lying back down and just thinking "wow."
I read this book for the first time around ten months ago. One of those books that i picked up from the airport and then realising after i had purchased it, "why do i need to read a book in mexico?" But i picked up the book during a flight delay and fell in love. With Charlie. The book made me think about myself, and my place in the world. Not like other books on teenage angst that made me think, "where do I fit into everything?" but the perks of being a wallflower made me think, "where does everything fit in around me?" For that, i was grateful. "I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why." I think it was when the writer touched on the song "asleep" by the smiths. Which has always been one of my fabourite songs. And the way that he described it as 'the perfect song, on that perfect drive, on a road to feel infinite.' I was in awe. And i still am. And i yearn for the day where i can drive through a tunnel, with the wind in my hair, listening to a beautiful song, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and feeling infinite. I can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: *Not overrated in the least*
Review: Looking through the reviews I am baffled as to why some people hated this book. Sure Charlie's character was odd, nieve, and emotional, but he was also genuinly nice and caring, all of these things make him all the more endearing. He is unique and I really do truly think he made me change my outlook on life. Sam and Patrick are the friends you wish you had, and I find myself laughing aloud at Mary-Elizebeth's character. It is an excellent book for any age because I think everyone can remeber growing up scared and confused like Charlie. This book also introduced me to some truly beautiful music and literature. Though it was a quick read i'm sure you will find yourself reading it over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Struggles of being different
Review: As I read other reviews of this book, I see that one aspect of the story has been left out. I can plainly see that along with Charlie's struggle with growing up, he also faces much depression and anxiety. Throughout the story, he finds himself fearing for his well-being. Charlie will often find himself wondering if there might be something wrong with him. His thoughts are randomn and out of control. He obsessives over things and he finds himself blaming himself for much that happens around him. As an avid observer of people, Charlie wonders about why certain things are done the way they are and why things are the way that they are. I feel that many people who find themselves struggling with these types of things will be able to truly relate to this story as I have.
Rating:
Summary: English Crtique
Review: "the perks of being a wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky is made up of letters that a boy his freshman year of high school writes to a stranger that does not know him. Throughout the book you learn everything about Charlie's life and all the troubles he goes through and how he handles them. Charlie has many hard situations that occur to him, but by the end of the book he realizes that everyone has troubles and that no matter how big or small those troubles may be they are still a persons troubles.
Charlie starts of with his letters when his only friend commits suicide and continues on throughout his freshman year. He tells of how his Advanced English Teacher, Bill, gives him extra books to read and eventually he finds out why, because Bill thinks he is "special". He talks about how he makes friends and they are all seniors. He writes about everything he does with them and how sad he is when they graduate. He tells of his first relationship with a girl and how the one girl he really is in love with he cannot have.
The author, Stephen Chbosky, wrote this book in the only way I see possible. He wrote from Charlie's point of view; everything he was feeling and how little things affected him. Chbosky never tried to hide any of Charlie's feelings from the readers, he treated Charlie like he was a person that was having a conversation with him and he was taking down everything he was saying. Chbosky portrays Charlie perfectly in the way he wrote this book.
"the perks of being a wallflower" speaks for itself. The title alone tells you what the book is about. I myself being a "wallflower" know there are perks to being one. Charlie learns this throughout his letters he writes. Charlie's story teaches readers a lesson, whether or not they know it or think it would. Charlie learns that yes he has problems and he knows that people in the world have a lot worse problems than he does, but he knows that he needs to deal with his problems before he needs to think about other people's problems. I agree with that. Every person needs to take care of him or herself before they can actually help someone else without making him or herself feel worse.
Charlie's story speaks to anyone who has felt left out of a group of friends or has just not had many friends. Charlie grows a lot throughout the book and while he is learning a life lesson the reader is learning a life lesson also. The lesson from this story is to be true to you, take care of yourself first, and then worry about things that are affecting other people.
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