Publisher: Algonquin Books 2004
Hardback 266 pages
I love chocolate. I'm not ashamed to admit this. I would gladly sell my soul at times for a piece of German or Swiss chocolate... especially if it has hazelnuts in it. As a child my obsession with chocolate, and for that matter all types of candy, was such that I saw no problem begging, borrowing or even one time taking money from a stranger to buy a bar of sweet, sticky perfection. I would have secret stashes all around my room, locker and desk at school. Open any random container in my room and you may find it filled to the brim with a conglomeration of Whompers, Lemonheads, Sixlets (which are awful but I can't help to buy them anyway) and a variety of unidentifiable sugary bits. Those whose obsession for candy is as strong as mine will immediately identify with the author of Candy Freak, Steve Almond. (And such an appropriate last name!!!)
Almond deftly intertwines his childhood love of candy with a history of the smaller candy producers in America. Anyone looking for a complete history of candy production in America will be satisfied with Almond's in depth look at the smaller confectioners, while noticing the glaring omission of Mars and Hershey. The book does get weighed down towards the end with Almond's personal failings and at times his self depreciation can be a bit much. However it still is an amusing read and worth it for those who, like me, are candy freaks.
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