The Perks of Being a Wallflower

infobox Book |
name = The Perks of Being a Wallflower
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Stephen Chbosky
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Young adult novel/Epistolatory novel
publisher = MTV Books/Pocket Books
release_date = 1 February, 1999
media_type = Print (Paperback) and Audiobook
pages = 256 pp (first edition paperback)
224 pp (regular edition paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-671-02734-4
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is an epistolary novel written in the 1990s by American novelist Stephen Chbosky. It was published on February 1, 1999 by MTV. The story takes place over a series of letters to a friend written by the narrator, a teenager named Charlie. The story explores topics such as introversion, teenage sexuality, abuse, and the awkward times of adolescence. The book also touches strongly on drug use and Charlie's experiences with this. As the story progresses, various works of literature and film are referenced and their meanings discussed.

The story takes place in a suburb of Pittsburgh during the 1991-1992 school year, when Charlie is a high school freshman. Charlie is the wallflower of the novel. He is an unconventional thinker, and as the story begins he is shy and unpopular.

Chbosky names J. D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" as an inspiration, [Beisch, Ann. [http://www.layouth.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issue&action=IssueArticle&aid=1393&nid=19 "Interview with Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower"] , "LA Youth", November-December 2001. Retrieved on 2007-07-10.] and he pays homage to Salinger's work by naming it as one of the books Bill gives Charlie to read. As of|2005|12, Chbosky has been working on a screenplay for the novel. [ [http://movies.ign.com/articles/673/673041p1.html IGN: 10 Questions: Stephen Chbosky (December 1, 2005)] ]

Charlie's lists

Books

In the novel Charlie's teacher, Bill, assigns him various books to read. Charlie describes them all as his favorites.
*"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
*"This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie
*"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*"A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
*"The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger
*"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac
*"Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs
*"Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
*"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
*"The Stranger" by Albert Camus
*"The Fountainhead" by Ayn RandThe book also references "The Mayor of Castro Street" by Randy Shilts.

Films

The novel references these films and television shows:
*"Rocky Horror Picture Show"
*"The Graduate"
*"Harold and Maude"
*"My Life as a Dog"
*"Dead Poets Society"
*"The Unbelievable Truth"
*"A Perfect Paradise"
*"It's a Wonderful Life"
*"Reds"
*"The Producers"
*"Hannah and Her Sisters"
*"M*A*S*H"
*"Saturday Night Live"

And Balonie Sandwitches.

ongs

The novel references these songs:
*"Asleep" by The Smiths
*"Vapour Trail" by Ride
*"Scarborough Fair", a traditional folk song popularized by Simon and Garfunkel
*"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
*"Time of No Reply" by Nick Drake
*"Dear Prudence" by The Beatles
*"Gypsy" by Suzanne Vega
*"Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
*"Daydream" by The Smashing Pumpkins
*"Dusk" by Genesis
*"MLK" by U2
*"Blackbird" by The Beatles
*"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
*"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
*"Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II" by Pink Floyd
*"Something" by The Beatles

Challenges

The book has been challenged for its depiction of adolescent sexuality and drug use. Chbosky has pointed out the positive effects that the book has had on youth: [http://www.wordriot.org/template.php?ID=552 Word Riot ] ] cquote|A 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-boy wrote to me and said they didn’t commit suicide because they read the book.

During an interview with Chbosky, author Marty Beckerman stated: cquote|Part of the reason why "Perks" connects with so many kids is because it's "real". It’s comforting, because the situations described in the book are so universal and happen to so many teenagers, but it seems like the people who challenge the book don't want to admit these things "happen".

References