REVIEW: Thoughts on "Perks of Being a Wallflower"

By Quinn Gorannson - Eagle News Staff Writer

Perks of Being a Wallflower is a beautifully written novel about an introverted teen boy who is going through the struggles of starting high school along with past traumatic events. This book was published in 1999, and then 13 years later The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie was premiered. The question is, which is better?

"Perks" is yet another example of the book surpassing the movie. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

After watching the movie and reading the book I would say the book is better. It’s so beautifully written, and it definitely has to go on everyone's reading list. It’s my favorite book ever, but while reading you might as well grab a box of tissues because this book is an emotional rollercoaster. Looking inside the mind of this troubled teenage boy through words on a page brings a lot more understanding. Some moments of the book left me feeling like my soul was lighter, like I was remembering what the best moments of friendships can bring. Other moments just made my gut wrench into pieces. It really captures every emotion of what it’s like being a teenager.

Unlike many other books talking about teenage life and mental health, I find this book to be very accurate. All the emotion and pain every different character has to go through makes this more than just a normal teenage book. Not only did reading this book make me feel better about having mental health problems, but it made me realize the struggles of being a teenager are not all the same. It’s one of those books that punch you in the heart. There were things I saw coming but there were things I definitely didn’t predict.

The movie version of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" premiered in 2014. (Photo Used Under the Fair Use Provision of the US Copyright Code)

When reading the book you feel something different than watching it physically. The way it’s written and the way it's all put together in letter form is very interesting to me. Compared to the movie, there’s a lot more events that take place in the book. You feel more when reading it; the whole vibe of the book just differs from the movie. I think there’s a huge difference between reading thoughts and watching thoughts.

Don’t get me wrong, I love every aspect of the movie and in no way is the movie bad at all. It’s honestly probably one of the best coming-of-age movies I've ever seen in my entire life. I do wish that some of the events that were taken out were a part of the movie. But just like most books that turn into movies, the book is better.