Candor

Candor

Pam Bachorz

Synopsis:
Candor is the worlds only perfect town. Every lawn is always mowed, people are never late to work, and everyone knows each other. All kids excel at school, do their chores, and are courteous all of the time. The town's founder, Campbell Banks, is very proud of his town, and especially of his son, Oscar, the town's most gifted student who everyone wishes their child could be like. What Mr. Banks doesn't know is that Oscar is trying to rebel as much as he can. Oscar knows the town's secret: the music that plays throughout the town is filled with messages that brainwash your subconscious, making every citizen into one of the crowd, not an individual. Oscar has figured out how to resist, and he know sells this talent to rich kids to get them out of Candor before it is too late. One day, a new girl moves into town, and captures Oscar's heart with her rebellious attitude. Oscar is torn between trying to get her out before she loses herself to Candor, or keeping her for himself. When Oscar starts breaking his facade as the perfect student, people begin to get suspicious, and his cover is nearly blown...

My Thoughts:
This was a very hard synopsis to write well, so I am afraid it does not do this book justice. This was a VERY good book, one of the best I read this month. Even though the book was rather easy-going, I was hooked and hated when I had to stop reading. The concept of the perfect town sounds so wonderful to many people, but the way that it happens here in Candor is very disturbing. It reminds of The Compound in the way that I almost believe that Mr. Banks is somewhat mentally twisted like Eli's father. I ran into this website made by either the author or the publishing company about Candor that I though was very cool and worth checking out: http://www.candorfl.com/ By the end of the book, the action is very intense, and I must warn you that the ending is VERY sad.

NOTE: This book did have some brief sexual references, so it should be cautioned against younger readers.

Questions for Thought:
1. Were you Oscar and you found out about the brainwashing, would you leave, or stay?

2. Would you just ignore Nia and let her meld into the community, get her out immediatly, tell her about the messages and try to help her resist, or run away with her? Or another option?

3. Do you think that the messages would be ethical in any situation?


Please leave your comments and answers!

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