blewis13

If you are searching for a creative, funny, imaginative book, look no further than Junk by Christopher Largen. He has created a future United States in which junk food (from pastries to red meat and everything in between) has been banned. The government refers to it as a domestic war that must be combated. Junk food users are treated as drug addicts or dealers are treated today - targeted, hunted and sometimes even killed for their junk food addiction. With junk food outlawed, a black market crept up through which citizens can purchase the banned goods and dealers such as the Candy Man can capitalize on the cravings of their fellow citizens. The dynamic between all the characters – cops, citizens and dealers alike – frames a society in which everyone is paranoid and no one is spared suspicion. Through the characters of Sergeant Belcher, Officer Justin Bailey, Billy Sweet and Reverend Moe Goodman, Largen demonstrates the moral dilemmas present in declaring war on something that imposes on American citizens’ inalienable rights. Belcher is dedicated and persistent in tracking down and incarcerating junkies. Bailey starts out committed to this domestic warfare, but begins to question his work and ultimately comes to his own conclusions. Billy Sweet is an underground pastry chef who offers a view from the world the officers are trying to demolish. Lastly, Reverend Goodman is a strong advocate for the war on junk until he, too, begins to question the very foundations the war is built on and the consequences of the actions. Junk provides humorous commentary on a serious social issue we face here in the United States. How far will the government go before we are stripped of all our freedoms and rights? They have already taken measures towards removing snack and soda machines in many schools across the nation. The intent may be good, but it certainly begs the question – is Largen’s world really as far-fetched as it seems?

fufuakaspeechless

Junk is a great look at current American society. People are waging war on food; laws are being passed to ban junk food in schools all around the country. I happen to be a victim of said banning. In Junk, unhealthy foods are banned everywhere. Junk foods are equivalent to drugs: if you get caught with it you get arrested. Junk food becomes a hot item on the streets. There are groups in support of legalizing junk, as well as groups who are for the junk laws. This book is very good. It gives insight to where this "war on obesity" can lead if we aren't careful. Is it really necessary to ban these foods from the public? There are plenty of people who aren't overweight, and yet they are being punished by these laws. At some point personal responsibility has to be taken into consideration. Junk is a great satire of current American society, and a great warning against taking it too far.

bibleeohfile

Junk is set in a future U.S. where the WAR ON DRUGS has turned into the WAR ON JUNK. In an effort to combat obesity, the U.S. government has outlawed all forms of junk food. Bakeries are closed, eating red meat gets you thrown in jail, and a kid will kill himself rather than be found with a Twinkie wrapper in his pocket. Gangs no longer sell drugs, instead pushing any and all forms of snacks, sugar, and salt on a huge black market. Europe is in on the banning too, although Amsterdam has a thriving tourist industry, since that country isn't banning anything. It was a very interesting story, made more so by the fact that Largen included "mockuments" on the WAR ON JUNK in his story, taken from newspapers, court documents, and apparently, letters from prison; all chosen from actual drug-war documents. The interesting thing about this book is that I can already see signs of something like this happening here in the U.S. Snack and drink machines are removed from schools and hospitals over health concerns, smoking indoors has been outlawed, chains are now required to post nutritional information on the menu board, and shows like "The Biggest Loser" are huge. Note, I'm not saying that removing overly-sugary drinks from schools is a bad idea, or that I like smokers, but I am pointing out that rights and privileges are being removed and not everyone seems to care. I mean, who doesn't want the right to own salt?