Content & Trigger Warnings for The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999)
14 content warnings identified for this book.
Quick Summary
Yes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) contains 14 content warnings : Hate crimes (depicted), Homophobia / transphobia (depicted), Eating disorders, Forced institutionalization, Grief / bereavement (major focus), Suicide (discussed or ideation), Gaslighting / emotional manipulation, Incest, Alcohol abuse (depicted), Drug use (depicted), Child abuse / harm to children, Domestic violence / intimate partner abuse, Self-harm / suicide (depicted), Sexual assault / rape.
The most severe warnings are for Suicide (discussed or ideation) (severity 4/5), Incest (severity 4/5), Child abuse / harm to children (severity 4/5), Self-harm / suicide (depicted) (severity 4/5), Sexual assault / rape (severity 4/5).
Check the full breakdown below before you read.
Set up your trigger profile to see which warnings affect you.
| Warning | Severity | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity & Discrimination | |||
| Hate crimes (depicted) | 3/5 | Depicted | Hate-motivated violence against a gay couple |
| Homophobia / transphobia (depicted) | 3/5 | Depicted | Homophobic bullying and violence against a gay character |
| Mental Health & Emotional | |||
| Eating disorders | 2/5 | Depicted | Eating disorder behaviors referenced among characters |
| Forced institutionalization | 3/5 | Depicted | The protagonist is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility after a mental breakdown. |
| Grief / bereavement (major focus) | 3/5 | Depicted | The protagonist is deeply affected by the death of a close friend by suicide and the earlier death of a beloved aunt. |
| Suicide (discussed or ideation) | 4/5 | Depicted | Suicidal thoughts and self-harm are significant themes |
| Other | |||
| Gaslighting / emotional manipulation | 2/5 | Depicted | Emotional manipulation and repressed memories |
| Sexual Content | |||
| Incest | 4/5 | Referenced | A major revelation involves childhood sexual abuse by a family member, which is central to the protagonist's trauma and repressed memories. |
| Substance Use | |||
| Alcohol abuse (depicted) | 3/5 | Depicted | Underage drinking and alcohol abuse depicted |
| Drug use (depicted) | 3/5 | Depicted | Teen drug use including marijuana and LSD |
| Violence & Physical Harm | |||
| Child abuse / harm to children | 4/5 | Depicted | Physical and sexual abuse of a child depicted |
| Domestic violence / intimate partner abuse | 3/5 | Depicted | Domestic violence within families depicted |
| Self-harm / suicide (depicted) | 4/5 | Depicted | A friend's suicide is a major event; self-harm depicted |
| Sexual assault / rape | 4/5 | Depicted | Child sexual abuse is revealed as a traumatic core event |
Identity & Discrimination
Homophobic bullying and violence against a gay character
Mental Health & Emotional
The protagonist is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility after a mental breakdown.
The protagonist is deeply affected by the death of a close friend by suicide and the earlier death of a beloved aunt.
Other
Sexual Content
A major revelation involves childhood sexual abuse by a family member, which is central to the protagonist's trauma and repressed memories.
