The Chocolate War

Title: The Chocolate War

Author: Robert Cornier

Narrator: Frank Muller

Date Finished: February 2, 2009

Personal Book Count: 10/100

Rating: 3/5

Genre/ Subject: Young Adult (audio)

Summery: Stunned by his mother’s recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker-"Do I dare disturb the universe?
Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school society-the Virgils-and master of intimidation. Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event-a chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school. In the inevitable showdown, Archie’s skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast, to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable. (Summery copied from chapters.ca)

Why did I pick this book? : Had read reviews on other blogs.

Review: Hmm. This book was obviously not written for me, as I’m not a teenage boy. I get the conflict, the feelings and where they come from. I even found the characters more or less believable. I didn’t find the ending particularly satisfying either. In fact, I had to listen to it twice. Something about it that I can’t put my finger on is sitting wrong with me. Would I have been able to appreciate this when I was younger (and still not a boy)? Probably, but I’m not sure I would have put in the time. Would I have put it down if I was reading it? Probably. But, as it was on audio, and I was multi- tasking, I found it enjoyable enough. This was the first audio I had listened to in years, and my first ever download from the library. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed listening to a book. The library web site made it easy to download, and the software was a pleasure to use with book marks, and fast forward, rewind, ect. (So much easier then tapes or cd’s). I think this will defiantly be something I do on more of a regular basis.

Agree? Disagree? Recommendations? Any insights, suggestions, or comments on the book or format, or blog at all are most welcome. If you have read this and/ or review it yourself, please let me know. Can you think of any books like this? Give me a recommendation! =D