Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

196 reviews

daydaybookbay's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I rated this book an 8.5 out of 10. I really enjoyed following Charlie's story through his mind and seeing how he ticks. I felt conflicted about the other characters and wish 1 had just a bit more. Multiple tramatic stories are touched on without much focus. I will definitely reread this unique story.

I really liked the format with the letters. It is such a unique idea that brings the reader to be more involved with the story. It's as if Charlie left these letters to the reader directly, so you are more emotionally invested in his life.

I didn't catch a particular running plotline, but more watching Charlie grow over time. There are a lot of events noted, but none of them are more important than the others. It's really just "Hey, here's what happened the past couple of days!" It's really the reader catching Charlie's vibe and finding what he found important for the day.

There are quite a few bits of traumatic experiences involved in his letters. Most have little detail. Part of me wishes we knew more of the details to aid in character development. The other part appreciates the way it is because Charlie's letters would not include those parts anyway. It feels more authentic and true to his character to make a statement so the reader understands but respects his friends/ family by stating the minimum.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Car accident, Abortion, and Outing

jasminrain's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've wanted to read this book for ages but I don't think I really ever understood how big of a cult classic it was and how big of an impact it has had on pop culture. It was fascinating to bump into phrases that I keep seeing and hearing all over social media that originated from this story. While it wasn't the most groundbreaking book I have ever read in my life, I think it would have been if I had read it fifteen years ago when I was still a teenager and topics that this book touched on were less explored in YA.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Medical content

sageparty's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

thejazziestbean's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

mary_mcknight's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

mayaeatsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book made me dissociate in a good way. The ending is terribly sad and yet hopeful and positive, and throughout it the whole book made me think differently about the world a little bit. The only thing holding back a 5 star is the writing style in a series of letters, it isnt bad necessarily but sorta made it hard to get in to in the beginning and sometimes i found it challenging for some reason. For now this is my favourite book, because it’s the last one I read. 💕

P.S: this book tackles a whole lot of traumatic events, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and others. Be aware of that.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexual violence

hansenillustrations's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

mandycantsleep's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Suicide, Abortion, and Alcohol

Minor: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Pregnancy

leah_tracy's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, and Sexual harassment

themelaniewaite's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There’s just something about re-reading a book that you love and having the chance to revisit the story and all the ways it once made you feel. Though this is far from a comforting storyline, taking the time to read it again, through an adult lens and distanced from the teen that once needed this story, it’s like visiting an old friend that made you feel safe and seen in their presence. 

I have so much love for this book (and the movie tbh), and have been recommending it from the moment I first read it. Even all these years later, it holds such a special place in my heart. Charlie will always be a character I resonate with. The storytelling format being in the style of letters - as though the reader is the receiver - makes it so much more personal, and adds a layer of relatability to Charlie’s character. He shares and expresses so much I wish I had been brave enough to share at fifteen - or even when I first read this (and now!). 

It is such a unique method of writing and truly captures the turmoils in those formidable coming-of-age years. I do wonder how life may have turned out if I had the chance to read this earlier sooner, but I truly believe this story found me just when I needed it and I will be forever grateful to Stephen Chbosky for this remarkable, beautiful book. 

TW: 

There are a lot of heavy themes within this book, including (but not limited to): SA, r-pe, child SA, mental health, homophobia, ab-se, ab-rtion. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, and Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism