🟩 The Chocolate War (1974) Review - Scary Accurate Masculinity

 

The Chocolate War book cover

The Chocolate War (1974) written by Robert Cormier

Rambly narration that works. Disturbingly relatable teen masculinity.

There was one passage in particular that was my childhood to a tee:

He thought of his own parents and their useless lives--- his father collapsing into his nap every night after supper and his mother looking tired and dragged-out all the time. What the hell were they living for? He couldn't wait to get out of the house. "Where're you going all the time?" his mother asked as he fled the place. How could he tell her that he hated the house, that his mother and father were dead and didn't know it, that if it wasn't for television the place would be like a tomb. He couldn't say that because he really loved them and if the house caught fire in the middle of the night he'd rescue them, he'd be willing to sacrifice his own life for them. But, jeez, it was so boring, so deadly at home---

There were a couple contrived hiccups that held it back. Like how the evil analytical mastermind conveniently forgets a plot point. Very odd.

Even so, it's a solid read.

🟩 Rating: 8/10 

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