Charlie is the protagonist of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The story is expressed through his letters anonymously sent to an unknown person, whom Charlie simply addresses as Friend . He explains his personal fears, problems, secrets and joys to this stranger. Charlie is a high school freshman from Western Pennsylvania that is suffering through the aftermath of his best friend's suicide and the death of his beloved Aunt Helen, all while being a wallflower . When he is struggling with family insecurities and forming new friendships, two high school seniors, Sam and Patrick, and their friends Brad and Mary Elizabeth, befriends him. His new friends expose him to a new world of drugs, sexuality, love, parties, relationships, death, friendship, lies and culpability.Charlie gradually evolves from a shy, innocent wallflower that lived in books to an adventurous high schooler that learns that life needs to be lived and not watched. Through the exhilarating highs to the despairing lows of the year, Sam and Patrick show Charlie the perks of being a wallflower. Show less «