The Chocolate War

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Summary: Youngster's Reality is in Chocolate War
Review: I, as a youngster, can tell how the book is similar to us. This book is almost an exact copy of what we can do and also how we risk many of our privilages to do somethings that we may risk it all. And this book is also a great example of how we talk and express ourselves not boring anyone. I recommend it to everyone that likes youngsters' adventures.

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Summary: Not that bad, but overrated.
Review: Cormier's best-known work was required reading for my sophomore English class, like it's been for English classes all over the country. First, let me set this straight--"The Chocolate War" is not a classic. It isn't a masterpiece. What "The Chocolate War" is, is a melodramatic juvenile novel, with some sub-par characters (Brother Leon is the best exception, though, and I only wish the rest of them, Jerry especially, were as interesting) a rickety plot, and irritating prose. To its credit, though, Cormier manages to build sympathy for Jerry (his mother's death was trying a little too hard, especially for as little grief as he showed in the story) and the ending, which isn't 'happily ever after' thank God, makes up for a lot of what's missing. "The Chocolate War" shouldn't be banned, and it shouldn't be censored, because the language is part of what saves the book. But it's not good for anything besides required reading in sophomore English.

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Summary: Disturbing The Universe
Review: I truly enjoyed reading this book in my English I class. Although some schools may call it controversial, I think it helps people to understand school life in some situations and the outcomes.The characters are very indepth and I get a vivid image of each of them. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who wants to read a good book and although you may be dissatisfied by the ending, you must remember thats the way Robert Cormier wanted it to be.

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Summary: Chocolate War Reviiew
Review: The Chocolate War was a truly inspiring book. I believe this book was excellent, especially for teens my age. (9th grade) This book showed a great similarity between the real life of modern day teens and the fictional characters in the book. I suggest to any Freshmen in high school to get this book.

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Summary: great book! a must read!
Review: i have realalized that these things help people and that is what this is for. this is an amazing book and children of all ages must read it! great for teenagers al alike. a must read for it's plot sensory imagry and thoughts of popularity + the world

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Summary: The Chocolate War Rules
Review: I love this book so much, it made me laugh and i enjoyed it very much. Cormier describes the characters in a very specific manner. The book would be a great book to show to teenagers who love to read

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Summary: The Chocolate War
Review: This great book depicts the everyday situations a teenager would go through. It greatly attracted by attention, and I was able to easily imagine the various situations. School activities, use of language, and even the way their minds operate are very close to a typical teenager. I particularly enjoyed reading about certain problems an everyday teenager would be experiencing. I would definitely recommend this book toward any teenager.

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Summary: Disturbing the universe is not always negative
Review: I would say that The Chocolate War was a terrible book, but I cannot say that I enjoyed the book either. Although the book contained many details neccesary to make a book interesting, and enough information about the characters to make them understandable, I thought that many of the details were not needed due to the fact that the characters were only introduced once. I also thought that although Cormier may have not meant to, he gave forth the message that individuality has a negative outcome, and that those who choose to due what they believe in are those who suffer. I don't think that this message should be given to the high school audience that this book is meant for. Although I did not like that part of the book I thought that the description of the corruption in high school was very true to life. Many of the characters in the book remind one of the people that they knew in highschool or in the case of the student the people that they know. Overall I had mixed messages about this book and the message that it gives forth.

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Summary: Not for the weak of heart
Review: Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War, is a book of intense magnification into the dark side of human nautre. The book is a constant barrage of sexual references, perversion, pain, violence, mind games, greed, power, and corruption. Jerry Renault finds himself pitted against this dark side of man's nautre and must struggle just to survive. Archie, (archenemy) the personification of eveil, preys on the weakness of the faculty and students of Trinity. Archie never seems to be wrong in his ability to take advantage of people's weaknesses. He undermines the moral fiber of the school for his own self gratification. Although he loves what he does, he hates it at the same time. With the help of his flunky Obie (obey), who hates and admires Archie, and Father Leon (Lion), a hateful, power hungry, sadistic man, he makes his evil plans. In Archie's quest for absolute control and power, he must break the will of Jerry Renault, who has dared to defy him with his new-found belief that, "Do I dare to disturb the universe?" Maybe I do dare. Robert Cormier's ability to create psychological scenarios takes a great amount of skill and talent to keep the story interesting, believable and flowing. The author lets us peek into the minds of the many charaters, helping us to discover what makes them tick. Despite the violence and sexual remarks adults will find in it, this book transcends those things adults may find objectionable. It illuminates some very important issures about life that we often are too inhibited to talk about such as masturbation, peer pressure, violence and death. This book will relate to young adult readers. One of the most importan issures focuses on the fact that people should stand up for themselves when they know they are right. People acting like sheep allowed the Nazis and Hitler to take control of Germany and kill millions of Jews. It is also true that street gangs which are prevalent in today's society can be just as vicious, using the same tactics as the Nazis. This book can also be looked at on a religious level. At the end of the book the reader can see where Jerry can be viewed as Christ being sacrificed on the cross. There also have been other passages that made reference to religion, such as parting of the student as if Moses was parting the Red Sea. Also I felt that Goober could have been Paul when he shut himself off from Jerry when things started to get tuff. But he was there in the end of the book for Jerry after he had been severely beaten. Janza could be viewed as the Roman soldier or the SS for Hitler. Either way he enjoyed inflicting pain, in a perverse way. Robert Cormier does not end his book on a happy note. By making the ending so graphic and violent, it forces the reader to doubt Jerry's decision to refuse to sell the candy at all cost. The reader is forced to take a hard look at the wisdom of Jerry's decision. Did he do the right thing or not? I think he did do the right thing.

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Summary: The Chocolate War- my review
Review: Every day a student walks into their high school environment, he/she is placed in many of the same situations that the characters of this book are faced with. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, is a exceptional book, that deals with peer pressure and individuality; problems many high school students face today. Since this book adds realistic aspects to every day situations, I would recommend a high school student to read this book. The theme of this book is to "disturb the universe" and despite the many critics who claim that this book is inappropriate, its main purpose teaches an important lesson: To be an individual. In defiance of the disgusting things added to the book, when reading this book, you should look pass those and interpret it in a positive sense instead of a negative sense. All in all, if you wish to travel through a story which is realistic, meaningful, and suspenseful, I'd definitely recommend you to read this book!