The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; narrated by George Guidall | 1993; originally published 1974 | Recorded Books | Audiobook $ 12.60
Does Jerry Renault dare to disturb the universe? You wouldn’t think that his refusal to sell chocolates during his school’s fundraiser would create such a stir, but it does; it’s as if the whole school comes apart at the seams. To some, Jerry is a hero, but to others, he becomes a scapegoat — a target for their pent-up hatred. And Jerry? He’s just trying to stand up for what he believes, but perhaps there is no way for him to escape becoming a pawn in this game of control; students are pitted against other students, fighting for honor — or are they fighting for their lives?
The Chocolate War is apparently one of the most frequently banned and challenged books in the U.S.; it even had more challenges at one point than Harry Potter. I love a little bit of literary controversy and am obviously anti-book-banning, so of course it had to go on my list for Classics Club.
I honestly had a hard time getting into this one. A book about a bunch of teenage boys acting shitty to each other is just not my cup of tea, I guess. But I’m glad I kept with it through the end. The writing is solid, in some cases almost poetic in a kind of bleak way. And the story somehow stuck in my head for several days after finishing it.
That said, it’s a little hard to square the undeniably somber ending of the story with what I’ve read is supposed to be the overall message, one of “[daring] to disturb the universe” and standing up to abuse or corruption. The overall vibe seemed to me to actually be a sense of hopelessness in the face of a greater, bullying power.
This book could be a good choice for readers who are into dark YA, or I guess just anyone who’s interested in depressing themselves for a day or two on purpose.
Links:
- Official website of Robert Cormier
- Review at Kirkus
- The Cormier Censorship Collection at the Fitchburg State University Digital Archive
- Robert Cormier: Censorship and Intolerance from the Fitchburg State University Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
- Obituary of author from NYT
- Obituary of author from Publishers Weekly
Publication information: Cormier, Robert. The chocolate war. Landover, MD: Recorded Books, 1993. Audiobook.
Source: Public library, via Hoopla.
Disclaimer: I am not compensated, monetarily or otherwise, for reviews of books or other products.
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