Robert Cormier (1925–2000)

Robert Cormier’s “I Am the Cheese” is apparently a YA staple, or was at one time. A quick search online reveals that our diminishing culture has caused it to become a regular assignment in older classes as well, appearing on the syllabi for freshman-level English classes, even.

And that’s because it’s a good book. As an introduction to unreliable narrators, allusion, critical thinking about government, formalistic experimentation, character development, pacing, conflict resolution, bullies, the effects of prescription drugs, stranger danger and other beginner’s lessons for life and literature, it’s a strong piece of writing. If you’re above the age of 13, however, and it brings anything new to your life, I’d be worried . . .

Except me. I had a key gap in my knowledge that greatly diminished my enjoyment of the book. It’s possible that I didn’t have this gap at the age at which I should’ve read it. It’s a simple little thing: “The Farmer in the Dell.” I only knew the first two verses. You need to know them all. And now I know, and knowing is half the battle.

Just remember that this book is for kids. Smart kids. Smart kids in the ‘70s, specifically, so some of it is a bit dated. There aren’t a lot of kids these days going around talking about how they have to go to the “john,” for example. Which this kid does a lot, for some reason. He always has to go to the john. Not just the bathroom. Johnny john john. That was the only annoying little quirk in the prose that I got hung up on.

The troubled hero seems mostly appropriate for modern readers. He’s less of a troublemaker than the other young characters at least, although those are limited to three cookie-cutter bullies and a love interest. The latter is a self-described mischief maker, and she engages in the kind of mildly destructive hijinks that people overreact to these days (although they are genuinely annoying and not as charming as the author seems to think).

The romance, such as it is, is perhaps a little squalid and straightforward. I could see an uptight parent getting squeamish about our hero getting to second base without a long diversion about whatever the current social concerns about such things are. But then, they might also have a problem with a young hero who shows this degree of independence in the first place.

Otherwise, the novel proceeds in a brisk, direct, coherent way toward its circular ending. Some might view it as a cheap cop out, but these clichés exist for a reason, and this is as good a primer for this type of story as any. As a kid, it would’ve blown my mind.

… (lisätietoja)

"They don't actually want you to do your thing, not unless it's their thing too."

Every year Trinity Boy's School runs a chocolate sale. Each boy 'volunteers' to sell a quota of boxes in a fund-raising effort that is also a display of 'school spirit'. But this year is different, because new boy Jerry Renault has refused to take part. Initially he does so for ten days at the command of a secretive student group the 'Vigils' but once those ten days up he decides unilaterally to continue with his stance.

This book was first published in 1974 and has spent most of it's time since on the 'top 10 banned books list' in American schools because of it's content, in part sexual (masturbation), in part religious (it is a Catholic school and some of the teachers are good and some are bad) but mainly because it features bullying.

The book is relatively short but packs a punch. It features some of the best and worst facets of human nature. Jerry is idealistic, Archie is egocentric, Brother Leon is manipulative abusive whilst Goober who is privately supportive of Jerry's choice isn't willing to do so publicly and Carter has a false sense of control.

I found that I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I loved the way that it sucked me in, made me think and how I struggled to put it down. I hated the fact that Cormier felt the need to write it, I hated the fact that the story was realistic and represented real life for some students the world over, I hated the fact that Jerry's ostracization was easy to relate to, I hated the mob-like attitude of the other students, I hated the fact that even the 'good' teachers were willing to intervene, I hated how disturbing the norm was shown to be dangerous and brave but most of all I hated being asked if I would have been strong enough to say 'NO'. The book ended inconclusively despite my fervent hoping that somehow Jerry would gain some sort of reprieve and hating the fact that it had to do so to be realistic.

Personally I would have liked to have seen a little more in depth characterisation but despite being many decades beyond the book's intended market audience I found it a powerful and moving piece that made me sit up and think, as such I would highly recommend it. However, I doubt that I will read the sequel in the fear that it won't be as good.… (lisätietoja)