Welcome to The Cheese Monkeys
Wiki Page "Not only sharp and funny. It's also one of the year's most original American novels."
-Toronto Globe and Mail
"[The Cheese Monkeys] will open your eyes. You may still be reading left to right and top to bottom, but you'll be looking at the world from a whole new angle."
- New Orleans Times-Picayune The Cheese MonkeysWiki Page Brought To You By: Eric O'Neil
Author Chip Kidd (Video Below) has brought us an instant classic, a book that truly nails the role of a fun read and well written novel at the same time. The story is described as a "Novel In Two Semesters". This sharp and witty book teaches and reminds people of the youth and experiences that come with it. Grow up with this fantastic tale that with every turn of the page sparks a new lesson that is always a pleasure to find.
A short video including Author Chip Kidd in an interview about his past and future projects and a few opinions in between. -Enjoy
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Chip Kidd was born in Reading, PA in 1964. He lives in New York City and Stonington, CT.
About the Book: The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd is a story about the Spring and Fall semesters (Reason for Subtitle), at a large university in the 1957-58 school year. Kidd decides to take the reader on a journey with a main character who remains unnamed throughout the novel. This protagonist is in his first year and experiences a raffle of friends and foes including a alcohol loving art student and his revolutionary art teacher. Kidd uses these characters to relay his own experiences in a way that always has the reader thirsting for more.
Author Chip Kidd... Providing an example of why his readers love he and the stories he tells. Click picture or link below to travel to Chip Kidd's Wikipedia.
Art... It's Different For Everyone Art is expression that can come in many forms. Paintings, collages, photography, but also literature. This is what Chip Kidd does so well in The Cheese Monkeys, he is able to capture the right amount of swing between his own expression of art and that of his story's. In many ways art is dying, but in many more it is growing larger than ever before. In a world of clutter, repetition, and lack of creativity comes Kidd. Chip Kidd is a young writer who began his career in the publishing world by creating book jackets. It's safe to say he has come a long way since his introduction to the scene. Look for Chip Kidd's sequel to The Cheese Monkeys in The Learners. (Available now!)
Analysis: Kidd does a great job of providing Irony, character depth, and symbolism in this book. Lets break down these areas a little bit more shall we?
Irony
Characters
Symbolism
Kidd uses a lot of irony in his characters and events that adds to the flow and depth of the novel. For example the plot of the book, the irony is in the fact that the story is about a student who decides to major in art because he hates it.
(Kidd, Chip, 3) " Majoring in Art at the state university appealed to me because i have always hated Art,"
Ironic that the narrator's choice for easiest major turned out to be the most challenging?
As the project lists pile up for the characters each does less than the next, receiving a better grade.
Winter's enlightening statements...
Winter: "Kiddies, Graphic Design, if you wield it effectively, is Power. Power to transmit ideas that change. Power that can destroy an entire race or save a nation from despair." is said in lieu of the class being cut.
"Nameless" Yes, the main character and narrator does not have a name. For over 275 pages the reader is forced to attend state university with a no name. How much stronger can you make a name than having none at all? He is a stubborn and naive character who's sole means for graduation is to major in the easiest course at the university.
Himillsy Dodd, an older, hard-drinking art student, a student who becomes sought after by our protagonist. Sometimes called "the Birthday Cake with Legs" Dodd's character's antics provide many of the bright spots in the novel. Her free spirit and spontanaity is applauded as she slithers her way past the other two main characters.
The other main character is Winter Sorbeck, the professor of Art 127, introduction to graphic design. He is by far the most mysterious character whose wisdom is often challenged by those who know him well. Sorbeck is a fascinating man whose assignments push his students through a gauntlet of humiliation and heartache, shame and triumph, and enlightenment. With Sorbeck, Kidd is able to recreate the path that led him to his love for graphic design.
There is a lot of symbolism in the book with characters.
Himillsy Dodd
Represents the girl of the narrator's dream. Pretty, smart and rebellious, Dodd symbolizes the girl that can only be chased, never caught.
Symbolizes the "free spirit" that the Winter teaches and the attitude the narrator wants.
Winter Sorbeck
Establishes himself as the "light" that allows the narrator to "see".
"Show me something I've never seen before and will never be able to forget — if you can do that, you can do anything."
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Theme
Kidd has done a great job with his novel in making it a story that holds a strong purpose throughout. Each chapter holds a different piece to unraveling the moral that Chip is trying to portray. This theme is about making sure that no matter what situation you are thrown into, always make the best of it. In the beginning it seems as though the pages are dead because the main character is. It's hard to latch onto a character that never succeeds. However the reader needs to quickly adapt when finally a feeling of hope is felt for the characters. Chip Kidd is a writer who wants to do his part in sharing what he can, in this case he shares a story. The Cheese Monkeys starts slow but builds up into one of the most rewarding modern reads out right now. A definite recommendation for anyone who is looking for a unique read.
Wiki Page
"Not only sharp and funny. It's also one of the year's most original American novels."
-Toronto Globe and Mail
"[The Cheese Monkeys] will open your eyes. You may still be reading left to right and top to bottom, but you'll be looking at the world from a whole new angle."
- New Orleans Times-Picayune
The Cheese Monkeys Wiki Page
Brought To You By: Eric O'Neil
←
The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd is a story about the Spring and Fall semesters (Reason for Subtitle), at a large university in the 1957-58 school year. Kidd decides to take the reader on a journey with a main character who remains unnamed throughout the novel. This protagonist is in his first year and experiences a raffle of friends and foes including a alcohol loving art student and his revolutionary art teacher. Kidd uses these characters to relay his own experiences in a way that always has the reader thirsting for more.
Art... It's Different For Everyone
Art is expression that can come in many forms. Paintings, collages, photography, but also literature. This is what Chip Kidd does so well in The Cheese Monkeys, he is able to capture the right amount of swing between his own expression of art and that of his story's. In many ways art is dying, but in many more it is growing larger than ever before. In a world of clutter, repetition, and lack of creativity comes Kidd. Chip Kidd is a young writer who began his career in the publishing world by creating book jackets. It's safe to say he has come a long way since his introduction to the scene. Look for Chip Kidd's sequel to The Cheese Monkeys in The Learners. (Available now!)
To Learn more about Chip... Go to Kidd's Wikipedia
Analysis:
Kidd does a great job of providing Irony, character depth, and symbolism in this book. Lets break down these areas a little bit more shall we?
- (Kidd, Chip, 3) " Majoring in Art at the state university appealed to me because i have always hated Art,"
- Ironic that the narrator's choice for easiest major turned out to be the most challenging?
- As the project lists pile up for the characters each does less than the next, receiving a better grade.
- Winter's enlightening statements...
Winter: "Kiddies, Graphic Design, if you wield it effectively, is Power. Power to transmit ideas that change. Power that can destroy an entire race or save a nation from despair." is said in lieu of the class being cut.Himillsy Dodd
- Represents the girl of the narrator's dream. Pretty, smart and rebellious, Dodd symbolizes the girl that can only be chased, never caught.
- Symbolizes the "free spirit" that the Winter teaches and the attitude the narrator wants.
Winter Sorbeck*
Kidd has done a great job with his novel in making it a story that holds a strong purpose throughout. Each chapter holds a different piece to unraveling the moral that Chip is trying to portray. This theme is about making sure that no matter what situation you are thrown into, always make the best of it. In the beginning it seems as though the pages are dead because the main character is. It's hard to latch onto a character that never succeeds. However the reader needs to quickly adapt when finally a feeling of hope is felt for the characters. Chip Kidd is a writer who wants to do his part in sharing what he can, in this case he shares a story. The Cheese Monkeys starts slow but builds up into one of the most rewarding modern reads out right now. A definite recommendation for anyone who is looking for a unique read.
↓Check Out Chip's Music Video!
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