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I remember, assigned it at school, loathing The Chocolate War. It is probably a great book because of it, but I found the "Can't win, will never win, don't bother trying, we will destroy you if you step out of line" theme monumentally depressing and alienating. I couldn't figure out why we were assigned it. Perhaps the teacher did not competently handle it, but I almost felt that instead of it teaching about oppression and the dangerous courage in being out of step with the mass, it was a warning to us to keep in line or suffer the consequences, from our peers and from authority. It affected me greatly at the time (young, very shy, closeted, gay lad).
Which tells me I should reread it, I guess. Perhaps there was hope, and less defeat, in there than I remember. To be so affecting, I do have to recall it with respect.
Cheers,
Marc (It was over 25 years ago, I think. I was young, memory is hazy)
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