Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Description
Told through emotionally-charged letters from a 15-year-old freshman in high school, The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of Charlie's high school experience. Chbosky addresses the issues of homosexuality, abusive relationships, and falling in love, all while exploring what it means to be growing up in contemporary America. It tackles the ever-common issues of teenage angst, finding your place, and friendship in high school, as Charlie makes friends, falls in love, and discovers what it means to be "infinite."
Author Background
Stephen Chbosky was born on January 23, 1972 in Pittsburgh, PA. A graduate of University of Southern California's Filmic Writing Program, he wrote screenplays for Rent (2005) and The Four Corners of Nowhere (1995), which he also directed. Chbosky was the lead writer as well as producer for the television series Jericho (2006 - 2007). The Perks of Being a Wallflower was published in 1999, shortly followed by Pieces in 2000. Chbosky now lives in New York and is reportedly working on a screenplay for the screen adaptation of Perks.
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Bookclub Questions
Questions for Book Clubs or Solitary Readers
1. How does the style of the book change the way you look at Charlie?
2. What role does the Rocky Horror Picture Show play in Charlie's group of friends? Does this have anything to say about their dynamic or relationship to one another?
3. Charlie says "So this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." How has Charlie progessed to this point? What about him has changed to allow this statement to be made?
4. Music plays a very large role in developing the characters of this book. Name some of the main characters and what their music of choice has to say about them. Are there some songs that you identify with in that way?
5. Sam functions as Charlie's love interest in this work, but how does she contrast with Charlie's sister and the other women in the book? What were your feelings towards her?
6. Perks makes some pretty bold statements in the areas of homosexuality and abuse. Do you find them essential to the plot, or are they just a commentary on Charlie's life?
7. Charlie's observations are unique and on a variety of subjects. Why do you think he writes them down?
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