LitPick Review
Seventeen-year-old Sherman Andrews wants nothing more than to be a great journalist. The Missouri Scholars' Academy accepts him, and he is determined to find the ultimate story. As a high school kid on a college campus, Sherman must face growing up quickly. He becomes involved with Charlie, a chubby yet cute librarian, and his journey to journalism begins.
After several disappointing leads, Sherman’s adventure starts with a photo of four men from 1935 that is inscribed with a scripture verse from the book of Job. He begins to uncover mysteries of the past (deaths, cover-ups, and wrongdoings), and someone in the present is determined to keep him quiet. Suddenly, not only is his life in danger but those close to him are threatened as well. Sherman wants to run but continues to investigate with the help of Denton, a mental patient who mysteriously shows up when needed. This investigation leads him to discoveries that no one could ever imagine, and in the end, Sherman questions the existence of good and evil.
Opinion:
Everyone Dies in the End keeps the reader engaged; it is as if the reader steps inside the story and is investigating with Sherman. It is a little confusing in the beginning; the story begins with a prologue describing the attack on Reverend Gowen in 1935, in which he loses one of his eyes. Then chapter one begins with Sherman talking about his dreams of becoming a journalist. He is a very relatable character; he comes from a broken home and has very little self-confidence. The story goes back and forth between the present (Sherman’s investigative journalism) and the past (written in what seems to be crime reports). Katcher uses vivid descriptions that enable the reader to visualize these often-horrific crimes. The reader makes connections along with Sherman as the same symbol appears throughout the story, a sideways E with an X over it. This mystery slowly reveals itself as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together. It is a story about love, growing up, and exploring the unexplainable. After reading this story, one is likely to say, "Wow." One might even look at the world in a whole new way.
