Cherry (novel)

Cherry is a 2018 debut novel by American author Nico Walker. It concerns an unnamed narrator's time in college, as a soldier during the War in Iraq, and life as a drug addict and bank robber after returning from the war during the midst of the American opioid epidemic. It was published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 14, 2018.

Cherry
AuthorNico Walker
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
August 14, 2018
Media typePrint
Pages336
ISBN0525520139

Plot summary

A young man drops out of college and enlists in the United States Army. He comes home in a poor state, becomes addicted to opioids, and starts robbing banks.[1]

Development

Writing

Walker has been in a federal prison in Ashland, Kentucky, for bank robbery since 2013,[2] and wrote the book on a typewriter over the course of several years. He was released from prison early, in October 2019. [3][4]

Cover

Janet Hansen, a designer at Alfred Knopf, created the book cover, which features a skull originally by Swedish graphic designer Daniel Bjugård.[5][6] Walker’s literary agent dismissed an earlier version as it "[looked] like it should be sold in Hot Topic".

Reception

The book was published to positive reviews and "near-universal praise" as per the review aggregator website Book Marks and Vulture.com, respectively.[7][8] Book Marks reported that 54% of critics gave the book a "rave" review, whilst 31% of the critics expressed "positive" impressions, based on a sample of 13 reviews.[7]

Cherry debuted at number 14 on The New York Times bestseller list.[9]

Film adaptation
Main article: Cherry (2021 film)

Due to Walker’s imprisonment, his consideration of offers to adapt the book into a film took longer than usual when he exhausted his allotted phone time.[10] Days after the book's publication, the production rights were acquired for $1 million by Joe and Anthony Russo's studio AGBO, with the brothers planning to direct and produce, and the script to be written by Jessica Goldberg.[11][12] In March 2019, it was confirmed that Tom Holland will take on the lead role.[13] Filming began in October 2019.[14] Ciara Bravo, Bill Skarsgård, Jack Reynor, Jeff Wahlberg, Kyle Harvey, Forrest Goodluck and Michael Gandolfini were added in October.[15] Filming wrapped on January 20, 2020. Netflix was in early talks to distribute the film.[16] However, in September 2020, Apple TV+ acquired distributon rights to the film, and will release it theatrically on February 26, 2021, and on the streaming service on March 12, 2021.[17][18]

References
  1. Alter, Alexandra (August 10, 2018). "How a Young War Veteran Became a Serial Bank Robber, Then a Novelist". The New York Times. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  2. Kaplan, Ilana (September 5, 2018). "Army Medic, Addict, Bank Robber, Novelist: How Nico Walker Wrote New Book 'Cherry'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  3. Heisig, Eric; clevel; .com (October 17, 2019). "Imprisoned Cleveland-area author moved to halfway house while production commences for movie adaption directed by Russo brothers". cleveland. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  4. Wong, Collin. "Nico Walker: The veteran who wrote his debut novel from a jail cell". The Observer. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  5. Charles, Ron (August 17, 2018). "The alternative covers for Nico Walker's hit novel 'Cherry' look nothing like the final version". Washington Post. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  6. Hansen, Janet (August 16, 2018). "THE TROUBLE WITH DESIGNING A BOOK WHEN ITS AUTHOR IS IN JAIL". LitHub. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  7. "Cherry". Book Marks. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  8. Rathburn, Daniel (August 22, 2018). "Nico Walker's Cherry Got Near-Universal Praise". Vulture. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  9. "First a Decorated War Vet, Then a Bank Robber, Now a Best-Selling Novelist". The New York Times. August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  10. Fleming Jr., Mike (August 16, 2018). "Hot 'Cherry' Book Auction Handcuffed Because Imprisoned Author Has Run Short Of Phone Call Minutes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  11. Fleming Jr., Mike (August 24, 2018). "AGBO Nearing $1M 'Cherry' Book Deal; 'Avengers: Infinity War's Russo Bros Eye Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  12. McNary, Dave (August 24, 2018). "Russo Brothers Close Deal to Direct PTSD Drama 'Cherry'". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  13. Kroll, Justin (March 11, 2019). "Tom Holland Reteams With Russo Brothers for 'Cherry' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  14. Clark, Anne Victoria (July 21, 2019). "Tom Holland to Star in Russo Brothers' Rated-R Film Adaptation of Cherry". Vulture.com. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  15. Ciara Bravo Joins Tom Holland in Russo Brothers’ Next Film (EXCLUSIVE)
  16. Fisher, Jacob (September 16, 2019). "Netflix In Early Talks For Distribution Rights For Russo Brothers' 'Cherry' (EXCLUSIVE)". Discussing Film. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  17. Breznican, Anthony. "Tom Holland in the Wild and Woeful 'Cherry': Exclusive First Look". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  18. Apple Makes Big Deal For Joe & Anthony Russo-Directed ‘Cherry;’ Tom Holland & Ciara Bravo Drama Becomes Oscar Season Entry
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