The Chocolate War ~ Robert Cormier

Reading this book was a harrowing experience. Totally harrowing. I wonder if I am just a wimp…. Have I become really sensitive and weak in my old age, not up for the reality of the meanness of human nature? I really would like to know what other people think. If they are as “disturbed”, or find this as dark a read as I did. [I think I need to credit Mandy here, I think it was she who first used the word dark to talk about this book. Or, was it Katie Rose?]

Nevertheless, I have to say, I am glad that I kept reading. Sure, part of that is just so I can say that I read it, that I read this book, which is a book that people seem to “talk about.” And, part of it is so that I can feel like I read a “challenge” book. And, really, it was a challenge.

The weird thing is, I was sort of gripped throughout. It was one of those books where I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to find out what happened. Yet, at the same time, while reading, I really would not say that I was having fun (as opposed to say, the actual reading experience of Maniac Magee, during which I really was having fun).

Not sure if my reasons for being glad that I kept going are all that valid or make much sense. But, I wanted to at least note that.

This book did make me think: some questions…

*Why was this book so popular? I don’t actually know much about its popularity, I just have this general sense that it is a much-recommended, often taught, sort of canonical YA lit book. I do also know that Cormier is considered big, a huge presence in the field, and this is one of his signature books. In that sense, I am glad I read it.

Is this book still popular? I am curious about how much it is now taught, or read. Does it still have the weight it apparently once had? Assuming kids in the 70s really liked it and thought it was good, would “kids today” have similar reactions, or would they think it is sort of dated and old and not so great.

I definitely also could see elements that would lend themselves to classroom use, as it were.
There’s that T. S. Eliot quote about "daring to disturb the universe". Seems to me there’s some conversation to be had there.

Related, but not completely, the main character Jerry reflects on what seems to him to be his father’s incredibly dull life. Is this all there is, he wonders… Now, as an adult, reading a kids’ book, and “listening” to the kid look at the adult world, I am intrigued by Jerry’s questions and reactions to his dad there. Do we seem so boring to our kids, I wonder?

Also, essential questions about things like physical versus emotional abuse, perhaps. And, about standing up to peer pressure, or, standing up for what you believe in.

Sorry for not doing more by way of summary. I just needed to sort of react… reflect…