The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Why You Should Read This Book in PDF

The Perks of Being a Wallflower: A Coming-of-Age Novel by Stephen Chbosky

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think, you might want to check out The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This novel, published in 1999, has become a cult classic among young adults and adults alike. It tells the story of Charlie, a shy and sensitive freshman who writes letters to an anonymous friend about his experiences in high school. In this article, we will explore what the book is about, why it is popular and acclaimed, and how to get it in pdf format.

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What is the book about?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a novel that covers a year in the life of Charlie, a 15-year-old boy who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a wallflower, someone who observes life from the sidelines, rather than participating in it. He is also dealing with some personal issues, such as the death of his aunt and his best friend, his sexual abuse by his aunt, his crush on his friend Sam, and his experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Through his letters, he shares his thoughts and feelings about these topics, as well as his insights on literature, music, movies, and philosophy.

The plot summary

The book begins with Charlie writing his first letter to an unknown recipient, whom he calls "Dear Friend". He explains that he chose this person because he heard that he or she was nice and did not sleep with someone at a party. He also says that he will not reveal his real name or anyone else's, to protect their privacy. He then introduces himself and his family: his parents, his older brother who plays football at Penn State, and his older sister who is dating a boy named Ponytail Derek.

Charlie starts his freshman year at high school, where he feels lonely and out of place. He does not have any friends, except for his English teacher, Mr. Anderson, who recognizes his talent for writing and gives him extra books to read. One day, he goes to a football game to watch his brother play, and he meets two seniors, Patrick and Sam, who are step-siblings. They invite him to sit with them, and they become his first friends. They also introduce him to their group of friends, who are all misfits and outsiders in their own way. They include Mary Elizabeth, a feminist and Buddhist; Alice, a shoplifter; Brad, a closeted gay football player; Bob, a drug dealer; and Dave, who likes LSD.

Charlie quickly becomes attached to Patrick and Sam, especially Sam, whom he develops a crush on. He learns that Sam has a troubled past, involving sexual abuse by her father's friend and bad relationships with older men. He also learns that Patrick is secretly dating Brad, who is afraid to come out because of his conservative father. Charlie joins them in their activities, such as going to parties, watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show, driving through the tunnel, and making mixtapes. He also starts to experiment with drugs and alcohol, which sometimes make him black out and remember his aunt Helen, who died in a car accident on his seventh birthday. He reveals that she was his favorite person, but also that she molested him when he was a child.

As the year progresses, Charlie faces some challenges and changes in his life. He gets into a fight with a bully who insults Patrick, and he becomes popular for a while. He also gets his first girlfriend, Mary Elizabeth, who asks him out during a game of truth or dare. However, he does not really love her, and he ends up kissing Sam at a party, causing a rift between him and his friends. He also witnesses Patrick and Brad's relationship fall apart, when Brad's father catches them together and beats Brad. Patrick becomes depressed and reckless, and Charlie tries to help him by being there for him.

Charlie also grows as a person, thanks to his friends and his teacher. He learns to express himself more, to participate more in life, and to cope with his emotions. He also discovers his passion for writing, and he decides to pursue it as a career. He also realizes that he loves Sam, and that she loves him back. They share a tender moment on her graduation night, before she leaves for college. Charlie then suffers a mental breakdown, and he is hospitalized. He remembers that his aunt Helen was not only his abuser, but also his first love, and that he blames himself for her death. He also learns that his friends knew about his letters, and that they are his "Dear Friend". They visit him at the hospital, and they tell him that they care about him and that they will keep in touch. Charlie then writes his last letter, in which he says that he is hopeful for the future, and that he feels infinite.

The main characters

The book has several characters, each with their own personality and backstory. Here are some of the main ones:

• Charlie: The protagonist and narrator of the book. He is a shy, introverted, intelligent, and sensitive boy who writes letters to an anonymous friend. He has a history of sexual abuse by his aunt Helen, who died in a car crash on his birthday. He struggles with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and low self-esteem. He is also kind, curious, loyal, and compassionate. He loves reading, writing, music, and movies.

• Sam: Charlie's crush and friend. She is a senior girl who is Patrick's step-sister. She is beautiful, smart, fun-loving, and adventurous. She has a troubled past involving sexual abuse by her father's friend and bad relationships with older men. She wants to study psychology at Penn State.

• Patrick: Charlie's friend and mentor. He is a senior boy who is Sam's step-brother. He is witty, charismatic, flamboyant, and rebellious. He is gay and secretly dating Brad, a football player. He suffers from homophobia, rejection, and loneliness.

• Bill Anderson: Charlie's English teacher. He is a middle-aged man who is kind, wise, and supportive of Charlie. He gives him extra books to read and encourages him to write more. He also gives him advice on life and love.

• Aunt Helen: Charlie's aunt and abuser. She was a young woman who was molested by her father as a child. She became addicted to drugs and alcohol, and she had several abusive boyfriends. She was Charlie's favorite person when he was little, but she also molested him when she babysat him. She died in a car accident on Charlie's seventh birthday.

The themes and messages

The book explores several themes and messages that are relevant to young adults and adults alike. Some of them are:

• Coming-of-age: The book shows how Charlie grows from a naive and passive boy to a mature and active young man. He learns about himself, his friends, his family, his sexuality, his trauma, his dreams, and his place in the world.

• Friendship: The book celebrates the power of friendship as a source of support, joy, learning, and healing. Charlie finds his first friends in Patrick and Sam, who accept him for who he is and help him overcome his challenges.

• Love: The book explores the different forms of love that Charlie experiences: romantic love with Sam; platonic love with Patrick; familial love with his parents; brotherly love with his siblings; teacher-student love with Mr. Anderson; self-love with himself; and twisted love with Aunt Helen.

Identity: The book 71b2f0854b