Writing as a form of therapy. Advice that many of us have heard at some point in our lives, although few have actually taken it. Except Charlie. Charlie Kelmeckis, a fifteen-year-old high school student, writes letters to his ‘Dear Friend’ almost daily.

In these letters we’re privy to his intimate thoughts about teenage life. Charlie brings readers into a world of school, parties, and loyal friends. Including his new best friends, Sam and Patrick, who he meets at the homecoming football game. Sam is gregarious, beautiful, and daring. Patrick, a cool, fun guy ready for anything. Together they teach Charlie to get out of his shell and live.

The source material of The Perks of Being a Wallflower is much grittier than its movie adaptation. Themes such as suicide, child molestation, sexual abuse, and trauma among others are discussed in the novel. However, none of these serious topics are given the proper amount of time they deserve. Sam is the most fleshed out of all the characters.  Charlie seems to barely stand alone as a character, serving instead as a vehicle to other interesting people. The novel is only worth a quick skim, but the epilogue manages to tie everything together, if rather haphazardly.