Choke by Chuck Palahniuk Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Choke
Book Review: A rewarding chore
Summary: 4 Stars
Chuck Palahniuk is a clunky idea stylist. I initially found the writing to be stilted and laborious but later warmed up to it. This is a quick read, even at near 300 pages. While the overall book does have some structure, most of it only becomes apparent after the 150 pages or so. Unfortunately, this makes the beginning feel like you're wallowing in misery along with the apathetic lead character - Victor Mancini. Victor is like many people in that he's never really live up to his expectations. In fact, he's quit trying. He's a listless sex-addict with an addled mother in the hospital, a poor mindless daily job, a con-artist by evening, who has a friend with even less direction than himself.
Victor is happy to take the blame for other people's misfortune, even when he has nothing to do with it - a real sadomasochist. This story is about what happens when Victor's reality gets pulled out from under him and he has to come clean to everyone he's deluded - especially himself. It's also a story about inspiration and how it can be found in the strangest places. Stick through this one to the end. It's worth it. I would think that fans of Irvine Welsh would really like this book.
Book Review: A roll in the gutter.
Summary: 1 Stars
I slogged through this tedious, ugly story hoping that there would be, as I found at the end of Fight Club, some redemption in it; --some payoff at the end that would justify the time spent listening to Palahniuk's interminable compendium of abject filth, sordid sick-mindedness, and general depravity.
Alas, there was no payoff. It was a journey to nowhere, offering only a vivid view of ugly, trashy scenery along the way.
What a waste of time and effort it was to sit through this insipid book. You could accomplish the same effect without spending the money by going out tonight and rolling in a gutter!
Book Review: A side splitter for those with strong stomachs.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is perhaps Palahniuk's funniest book. It may read like porn but is in fact a pitch perfect tour de force that only Palahniuk could write.Book Review: A thematic sequal to fight club
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the knocks I have heard about this book is that Palahniuk writes books that are all in the same vein, and this one is a lot like Fight Club. I agree that this book is a bit similiar...but I fail to see how that is a bad thing. This book is filled with Truth about our modern society. Anyone who thought that Fight Club was cool because they turned out to be one person might not like this book. Anyone who thought that Tyler Durden was making more than a little sense, will find this book informative.Book Review: A truly deep book that is easy to get into
Summary: 4 Stars
I wish I could have truly given this book 4.5 stars, but that is not an option. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 is the fact that when reading book by Chuck Palahniuk, you know to expect the unexpected, so the surprises are not as surprising.That being said, this is one of the deepest novels that Palahnuik has written. In his first three novels, Palahnuik writes about the wickedness of society and ways to obscure and change it, but in this book he looks at someone who is looking for a place in society and their desire to be needed.
This is not a first in Palahniuk's work, but here it is most prevelant. The main character, Vincent Mancini, does everything he can to be wanted and needed, but tries to put off the persona that he could care less. Vincent goes as far as doing things that he knows is wrong, but in the back of his mind he knows he is good person that wants to be liked and needed. He goes as far as taking blame for all possible wrongs and believing things that are improbable, all in the name of being needed.
Two-thirds the way through the book, you may begin to have problems believing what is being told and the way things seem to be turning out, but stay true to the book and you will be rewarded.
The ending may not be for everyone, but it suits the story and Pakahniuk's writing style well. From reading all of his books, you can definitely see a writer who is growing in his craft.
At just under 300 pages, this is a good read and well worth the time.