Cherry by Nico Walker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cherry is a work that dispels American myths. The myth of the U.S. soldier as a moral and ethical compass, as the best of society, as an inhuman idol that we can send our prayers. "Thank you for your service." This is probably why there are so many reviews denigrating the main character (and, by extension, the author). It is easy to dismiss the character as a junkie, a non-hero, etc. The truth is that every soldier who reads this book can likely see parts of themself in the character's experiences, thoughts, and acquaintances.

It is interesting to see how the writing style changes over the course of the novel. The later sections, which involve the character's return, reintegration, and spiral, involve the use of even simpler language than what comes before. This could be due to several reasons: less editing, deadlines, etc. However, I believe it could be related to the author's shame in how they have processed this period of their life. The simplification of language reflects a desire to merely navigate and survive the past, rather than wrestle with it.

Overall, the novel tells a great story, very much in the same manner that only veterans can tell. To reject this story is to reject a common military experience: an average kid, driven by America's poor economic conditions, enlists in the service of Empire. In exchange, his outlook, relationships, and pathways are forever stained.



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