Though not everyone has acted in a gold speedo in front of a live audience, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky describes universal themes with which all teens struggle and is a very relevant novel to the lives of young people.

The main character, Charlie, is not only socially awkward, but tramatized from previous events in his life. His best friend committed suicide, leaving him alone as he started his first year of high school. He managed to make friends with Sam and Patrick who exposed him to a more interesting life style.

The book was written as a series of letters from Charlie to an annonymous recipient. This format allows a unique perspective on topics which are usually sensored such as teen sexuality, drugs, family relations, alcohol, and loss.

These topics were not glorified and therefore do not corrupt readers; they simply give an oppinion and describe an individual’s encounters with them.

Charlie discusses occurences in his life without dwelling excessively. This lack of focus is what makes the story seem so realistic and true to so many teens who read it.

The Perks of Being a Wallflowercan become overwelming at times and inflicts waves of depression as well as bursts of happiness on the audience. With a considerably simple vocabulary and featuring typical teenage themes, the audience may be urged to join Charlie and his friends as they live life to the fullest throughout the novel.