Set against the background of a prestige American school, [The Chocolate War] explores the theme of corruption on various levels—the corruption of the adolescent through fear and group pressure, the corruption of those in authority who betray their ideals, ultimately the corruption of all institutions because of human weakness. The narrative is powerful and compelling, and Robert Cormier's portrayal of the psychology of a wide range of characters … is very impressive. Both language and events are frank and realistic, features which serve as an antidote to sentimental accounts of adolescence. (p. 26)
Walter M. Humes, in Book Window (© 1978 S.C.B.A. and contributors), Summer 1978.
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