Charlie is a young, socially awkward high schooler trying to find his way through life since his one true friend killed himself. He's a wallflower, not unpopular but popular by no means. Will first love, mix-tapes and new friends help him carry on?
Will he be able to make it through this oddball, strange world?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a wonderful coming of age story which packs in so many of today's cultural problems: the struggle to be accepted and coming to terms with the reality of life and what it throws at you, along with a realisation of what has happened.
Sad but happy, this book was officially brought to the eyes of many (although it had already had its fair share of popularity) when the director and writer Stephen Chbosky turned it into a film – a great idea. These are the kind of books which should be made into films because they are interesting and convey a good message. The novel also brings up a multitude of problems. It's fun and not your average run-of-the-mill teen book where everyone falls in love and everything turns out all right in the end.
It is also a beautiful romance in its own way. We see the way you can feel about another person while simultaneously restricting yourself from being around them; the way you can feel with them (being a couple, etc) and also reflecting the way we feel about ourselves in that relationship.
For standing out, being a great example for today's generation and for being a generally good book, I give it an 8/10.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!
