![]() ![]() ![]() He's going to do something great." There's all this anticipation and then nothing happens. Then you meet Jerry and think, "Oh, there he is. ![]() The opening scene shows you the school bullies plotting some scheme that has danger written all over it. Robert Cormier's writing was beautiful and poetic. I liked the idea of a kid who went against the grain, despite all the peer pressure. Many parents need to hear it to understand that the occasional anachronisms in the story do not mean these issues have been left in the past. The worst part was the replacement of the usual "This is Audible" with four-year-old voices chanting "Audible Kids." This is NOT a "kid's book." This is extraordinarily well-crafted fiction written for, and about, young people. A highlight is the introduction by the author. By turns amusing and appalling, I found it absolutely riveting. This tale of a Roman Catholic boy's school is a sort of American "Lord of the Flies." It's about courage, cruelty, control and the chaos that occurs when the people who are supposed to be in charge just don't care. I especially like the moments when a bit of exposition suddenly makes you hit rewind while saying, "What was that?" because a significant plot point has suddenly, unexpectedly been laid in your lap. "Chocolate War" is an elegantly written book. But I can't imagine anyone else reading this one. I have friends who swoon at the late Frank Muller's voice I've usually found him to be overeager. ![]()
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