The perks of being a wallflower

Book - The perks of being a wallflower

Author - Stephen Chbosky

Publisher - Mtv books

This book describes the life of Charlie who is a sixteen year old wallflower (shy person). When he was a kid, he was very close to his Aunt Helen (mother's sister). But she passes away in an accident and this impacts his brain. When he was small, one of his friend, Michael commits suicide and it effects Charlie. He sees a Psychiatrist for this. 

Charlie's family is not as close to him as his Aunt Helen. But after she passes away he becomes close to his family especially his brother. When he supports his sister in her early pregnancy, she also becomes close to him.

Charlie makes friends with two of his seniors, Patrick and his step sister, Sam. Later he comes to know that Patrick is a gay and was in a relationship with a boy named Brad. Charlie also starts to have feelings for Sam. Due to Patrick and Sam, he becomes friends with some of the seniors. He indulges in a relationship with one of the seniors called Mary Elizabeth which ends up in a nasty way. His teacher, Bill thinks that Charlie is very good in English and gives him a lot of books to read. Charlie also has a very good taste in music.

When his seniors are graduating he feels that all of his friends will be gone and he will be left alone. When Sam is about to leave for college after graduating, he understands that she also liked him and indulges in sexual activity with her. But he stops Sam and acts really weird. It is later understood that his Aunt Helen had sexually abused him as a kid which had left a mark on his brain and he was suffering from PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder). He is admitted in a hospital and recovers after some months.

This book is in the form of letters to an unknown person. It is not till the end one understands that Charlie was sexually abused as a child. This book shows the impact of major events like passing away of a friend and sexual harassment on the mind of a kid. It tells us about the problems faced by Charlie as he suffers from PTSD. It also showcases the love and support of his family and friends which helps him to recover. This book is also adapted in a movie starring Logan Lerman as charlie, Emma Watson as Sam and Ezra Miller as Patrick.