Main Characters
- Charlie Kelmeckis: Charlie is a shy and extremely thoughtful freshman navigating his freshman year of high school, friendships, and mental health. He's also the story's narrator.
- Sam: A senior Charlie meets at a foot ball game. Sam is kind, free-spirited, and complex. She becomes one of Charlie's closest friends.
- Patrick: Sam's stepbrother, known for his humor and confidence. He helps Charlie feel like he belongs.
- Bill: Bill is Charlie’s English teacher who sees something in Charlie, and encourages him to write and think deeply, while also giving him advice.
Synopsis (No Spoilers!)
The book follows Charlie as he begins his first year of high school. Through letters written to you, or an anonymous friend, he explores friendship, love, trauma, and personal growth. As Charlie is introduced to new people, music, books, and experiences, he begins to better understand both the world around him and his own emotions. It's a heartfelt coming-of-age story.
Fun Facts
- The book was published in 1999 and has become a modern classic among young adult novels.
- It was adapted into a film in 2012, directed by the author Stephen Chbosky himself!
- The title refers to Charlie's tendency to observe life rather than fully participate in it — like a "wallflower."
- It's written entirely in the form of letters from Charlie to an anonymous friend.
- The story is set in the early 1990s, featuring lots of music references from that era 🎶