Beyond the Chocolate War

My 12 year old daughter loved this story. Very thought provoking. Book arrived on time as described.

Anyone familiar with Cormier's books knows of his pitch-black view of human nature, so the outcome of this follow-up to TCW will not surprise in that regard.However, this predictability does not go far in making this book a compelling read, especially when you figure out the themes are pretty much identical to the first installment.I had very high hopes for this book. Cormier's writing is top notch, as is his character development, and even by the first 3/4 of the book, you are primed for greatness. Even the back of the book leads you to believe that some monumental (no pun intended) retribution lies in wait for Archie and his evil minions. But, instead, we get the same old denouements in a different wrapper.Now, I like dark books and don't particularly enjoy happy endings if they're not believable, but this book's unhappy endings are no more plausible. At the time and place of the original book --- before the horrific "showdown" on the athletic field --- it was somewhat imaginable that things would remain status quo at Trinity. But after those events, and the subsequent seismic rumblings that follow (which the sequel expends great effort at communicating to the reader), it is unimaginable that here be no real repercussions (aside from the suicide of one character that, while masterfully drawn, doesn't address the vileness of the school and it's roots of evil --- or where that evil comes from).I would have preferred some interaction from the many mute parents (including David Caroni's parents or Jerry Renault's dad) that could have really ignited a powderkeg under the whole affair.Good fiction contain lots of conflict, and there just isn't enough to warrent the amount of text here. It's a lot of energy to expend only to see the same scapegoats hauled out and abused again and again. Real people --- at least not all --- are seldom so cowed by tyranny, unless it's executed by a more omnicient force, such as goverment. And the Vigils aren't on that caliber, not even close.

Great book. Received in perfect condition.

Robert Cormier is a gloomy but fantastic author. I read this book and i am only 13 but loved every bit of it. Although some parts are a bit inappropriate it was nothing that the average child couldnt handle. Personally i like the original better than the sequel but overall it was a good read .

In the sequel to the "Chocolate War", Archie retains his position but, on the other hand, he's a senior now and must pick his successor. Who will it be? Brother Leon also remains an arch villain.