Post by NotSoPerfect on Jul 14, 2007 14:46:27 GMT -6
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When I found this book in my Aunt's closet, I thought that the title sounded vaguely familiar. I decided to give the book a read.
I loved it. It was very much like a required high-school read, a coming-of-age tale and all that, but without all of the flowery self-discovery and the triumph of good over evil. It was true to life and true to adolescent nature.
Set in a private all-male prep school, The Chocolate War follows several students from the beginning through the end of a corrupt fund-raising chocolate sale in which the school's secret society, The Vigils, has become involved.
Jerry Renault, the main character, is admirable and courageous. Brother Leon, the future headmaster of the school, is completely despicable, and Archie Costello is as clever and manipulative as we all wish we could be at times.
This book explores the major theme of standing out against the crowd - but not in a glorified way, but in a teenaged martyr kind of way. The characters were so well developed that I was happy when they were happy, and their struggles caused me pain.
I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Some parts were a little mature or violent for children and young teens, but certainly not in a glorified way.
So go read it and tell me what you think!
