In this town, you are what you hear. Candor is the perfect place to live. Not a thing ever goes wrong in this Florida suburb. The children are every parents' dream. All of them are academically superior and flawlessly mannered. Outsiders would think this is the result of the town's social environment or the fact that they never eat anything unhealthy. These people would be wrong. One thing people will notice about Candor, second to the well-behaved children, is the constant music being played. Everyone listens to it every second of everyday. The music plays in the schools, the stores, homes, and cars. Many would think this is strange, but what they do not know is the music is what makes Candor so ideal.
When Oscar Banks' brother died and his mother left, Oscar's father created a place where nothing goes wrong. The music that Oscar's father has playing everywhere contains subliminal messages that control all the kids of Candor. If the music were to ever stop and force them to think for themselves, they would go crazy and commit suicide. Oscar had created CD's with counter messages so that he or a select few may be able to retain at least some of their free will. When Nia moves to town, Oscar must decide whether it is more important to save the one he loves and be caught, or watch her slowly deteriorate into a robot.
Candor was written by Pam Bachorz who was inspired to write the book while staying in Florida. I admit I do judge books by their cover, and I am glad that Candor's intriguing front caught my eye. It is well written with well-rounded characters. During the book we get to see our main protagonist, Oscar Banks, go through some major changes. He starts out being exactly like his father, selfish. Although, by the end, Oscar understands the meaning of sacrifice and what it means to truly love another. I recommend that anyone pick up this book. There is a little something for everyone. From me, Candor receives four and half stars out of five.
