Movie adaptation alert: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Let me just state for the record that I am total nerd fan when it comes to Stephen Chbosky’s controversial coming-of-age story The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It ranks right up there with Cather in the Rye among my personal collection of “most epic novels that have shaped my life.”

Now, the book is being adapted for the big screen — and Chbosky himself is writing the screenplay & directing. That’s a total coup for authors in the book-to-movie adaptation world. Total coup. (So, yay Stephen — although, technically, his background is in filmmaking.)

Now MTV reports that Harry Potter actress Emma Watson and Percy Jackson star Logan Lerman are in talks to star in the adaptation:

The stars of “Harry Potter” and “Percy Jackson” may soon share the screen. Emma Watson and Logan Lerman are in talks to star in an indie drama adaptation of “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” The book’s author, Stephen Chbosky, wrote the script and will direct himself. If cast, this would mark the first live-action feature outside the “Potter” universe for Watson, who leads the cast as know-it-all-wizard Hermione Granger. Lerman, who was rumored to be in the running to star in the coming “Spider-Man” reboot, was recently cast as d’Artagnan in Paul WS Anderson’s treatment of “The Three Musketeers.”

If you have not read The Perks of Being a Wallflower I highly, HIGHLY recommend it. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read (and in fact, I’ve reread it a couple times — it’s that good). Okay, yes, sometimes it’s considered “controversial” and it is one of the most frequently challenged books brought before the American Library Association due to some of the content. But I think you should be the judge. I was in 11th grade when I read this book, and it changed my world.

So do it. Check it out. Read it.You can even get a free preview of the book from Google Books.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Standing on the fringes of life…

offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

For the comments: Have you read The Perks of Being a Wallflower? Tell us your thoughts on the book, and what you think of the potential casting news!