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The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

Narrator Noah Galvin

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Length 6 hours 23 minutes

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“Stephen Chbosky's acclaimed debut novel chronicles the life of Charlie, a self-proclaimed "wallflower," as he navigates the tumultuous transition from adolescence to adulthood. Through Charlie's experiences with first dates, family conflicts, new friendships, and cultural touchstones like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Chbosky crafts a poignant exploration of growing up. With its raw portrayal of love, loss, and life on the fringes, the novel delves into the complexities of identity and the universal challenges of finding one's place in the world.”
— The Spine bookshop • The Spine Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“This is one of my favorite books. I read it at a time when adolescence, finding your tribe and discovering who you are were all starting to take shape for me. And then I went and grew up and named my bookstore after it!”
— Alecia • Wallflower Bookshop

Summary
About the author

“A timeless story for every young person who needs to understand that they are not alone.” —Judy Blume

“Once in a while, a novel comes along that becomes a generational touchstone. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books.” —R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder

This #1 New York Times bestselling coming-of-age story with millions of copies in print takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory.

The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

A #1 New York Times bestseller for more than a year, adapted into a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson (and written and directed by the author), and an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2000) and Best Book for Reluctant Readers (2000), this novel for teen readers (or wallflowers of more-advanced age) will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps feel nostalgic for those moments when you, too, tiptoed onto the dance floor of life.

Classics Fiction Fiction - Literary

Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed the feature film adaptation of his award-winning novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He has worked in film and television, on projects including the film version of the smash-hit musical Rent; the TV show Jericho; and others. He also edited Pieces, a collection of short stories for Pocket Books. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chbosky graduated from the University of Southern California’s Filmic Writing Program. His first film, The Four Corners of Nowhere, premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Follow Stephen on Twitter @StephenChbosky.