Book Reviews of Choke

This book was refreshingly different from what I have been reading recently. Palahniuk's writing style was enjoyable although I found it very similar to that of Vonnegut. I have yet to decide whether this is a good thing.

The story was bleakly humorous and interesting, but I thought that the repetition of certain sentences for effect was somewhat irksome, especially when they were being used on every page. Luckily, this began to ebb after the first half of the novel.

"Annoying isn't the right word, but it's the first word that comes to mind".

Underneath the satire and occasionally excessive sexuality is a story about a guy wading through his problems while attempting to discover himself; problems that he essentially blames on his deteriorating, archetypal philosopher mother.

I have to disagree with the book's opening sentence- "If you're going to read this, don't bother". I recommend Choke to anyone interested in reading Palahniuk. My first novel by him, but certainly not the last.

This was my first taste of Palahniuk. I'm not real sure what to think of it -- the book had something in it to offend everyone! It was very strange and bizarre but also quite creative. The main character is a compulsive sex addict (the book goes into great length describing his addictions. So be warned. Maybe a little too much information) who creates heroes by purposely choking at restaurants and getting himself saved. This book is not for the easily offended, but it is interesting and has a moral of sorts in showing the impermanence of material things. The story itself is also extremely funny and the situations are outlandish. I'm not sure if I would go out my way to read other Palahniuk books, but I did enjoy the book overall.

Like others, I saw the film Fight Club but had not read any of Palahniuk's books before. This book had been sitting on my TBR shelf for a while, and with the upcoming release of the movie I figured it was time to give it a try.

The word "sick" seems to occur frequently in reviews of Palahniuk's work. After reading this book I understand why. Many of the images in the book are quite disgusting, but "sick" is also a good word to describe the world as Palahniuk portrays it. Despite the high gross-out factor, this book is at times laugh out loud funny - indeed I could not decide if some of the scenes were for shock value or attempts at dark humor.

The protagonist Victor behaves in an appalling manner, but because the book is written in first person we can almost understand why and feel sympathetic towards him. However, whenever Victor starts to become likable, Palahniuk quickly does something to make us gag or laugh again. What a strange book.

Palahniuk is one sick, twisted individual--I loved this story--no one else can come up with the crazy ideas he has written about. This one is definitely xxx rated.

After having this book on my Wish List for months, I am posting this book without even reading past the first chapter; it did absolutely nothing for me, other than bore me to tears. I cannot believe that this is the same man who brought us Fight Club. The first line of the book is: "If you're going to read this, don't bother." I only wish I had listened.

Hilarious. Seriously, if you like dark humor, if you have a nihilistic streak, if you are a sucker for satire-- you want this book. I laughed, I felt sick from emotional attachment, and I enjoyed this book immensely.

Choke was able to grab my attention from the very start and was one very interesting read all the way through. I was never quite sure what to expect in the next chapter and was very amused at the quirks this character had to offer. I particularly liked how Choke was finished. I would suggest this book to anyone, over the age of say 17-18.

Could not get into this book enough to finish.

Hated it. had to be one of the worst books I ever read!! Just awful.

This book is really strange. A med school dropout sex addict whose day job is working at a colonial theme park supports his mother in elder care by choking at expensive restaurants and receiving the Heimlich Maneuver from patrons who then feel heroic and responsible for him and send him checks forever after. Distinctive, disturbing, gleeful, I kept shaking my head in disbelief - but I couldn't stop reading it. Neither for the prude nor the prurient, not as delicately perfectly hysterical as Hitchhiker's Guide but almost as strange.

I regret spending money on this book and I won't read it again. I just had to find out for myself. The end was the best part. Overall, I don't recommend it.

Listen to the author when he tells you to stop reading on the opening pages. This book is obnoxious, crude, and disgusting!

I couldn't get into this book. I felt it was to racy and to all over the place. Not my type of book

I had seen this movie and was curious. It is a odd little window into a life I could never understand. I did enjoy it. It was unlike anything I had ever read. Its slightly pornographic but I didn't seem to mind. Other than feeling oddly uncomfortable reading such things while in the presence of family. The over use of the word "dude" is a little irritating but otherwise the writing is really good. He writes scenes with no detail overlooked.

I felt so dirty after reading this book I had to take a shower and burn my bookmark. At just under 300 pages I read this book in about a month because I couldn't stomach much more than a chapter at a time. Shockingly uncomfortable at best. But- a really original story and entertaining like watching Cops is entertaining... I found myself often shaking my head and saying, "not good choices, not good choices." I feel like the whole rock episode was some type of metaphor I didn't get. If you liked Beavis and Butthead or Ren and Stimpy, you'll love this book.

This book is - different. It ended up being just OK for me. Not what I was expecting. Not a bad story, just a strange way to tell it. There are some similar elements to Fight Club, like the addiction meetings, characters with low self-image, ect., but the central story line was different enough. The characters are just strange, at the same time,they are both honest and not really beleivable. There's also a lot of weird images. I also felt like a lot of things were left unfinished at the end.

Well, I've never read a book where I didn't like the main character. What can I say, I guess it's just not my style.

I have never read a Chuck Palhniuk novel..so of course I had to see what all the hype was about. I am so glad that I did. This book is not for the faint of heart. Warning: this book is very sexually explicit. Everyone has an addiction but to me his is a little strange. But I think that is what makes the book so amazing. He also tells us things about how messed up his childhood was and I am pretty sure that there are some people in the world who had a messed up childhood...it may not be as bad as his. This book is crammed full of sarcasm and dark humor. I never thought in a million years that I would love reading a book like this. It was impossible to put down and I feel like I stepped out of my comfort zone with this book. In some kind of weird way it has motivated me to do something to change myself for the better in some slight way. Also the characters are all unique and have there own crazy personality traits. I am highly recommending this book to everyone and there brother. I leave you with a quote from the book:

"We spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane or Insane. Saints or sex addicts. Heros or victims. Letting history tell us how good or bad we are. Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves. And maybe its our job to invent something better."

This is an interesting story about an interesting character. I was expecting the story to have more of a "point" or "purpose", but felt that it was sort of a wandering plot without any real sense of direction. One thing is for sure, though...the author definitely has a way with words. This is my first book by Chuck, and I definitely like his writing style. I guess I was just looking for "more" from his story. Overall, I'd recommend the book...it just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

* * * * . A man unloved in boyhood fakes choking incidents at restaurants and scours sex addict meetings seeking new techniques. This books is a wild ride as the narrator tells his story of self discovery, uncensored. While the book is disjointed, it is often hilarious and shocking that you find yourself reading more. Original. Prudes: Beware.

Ugh, I agree with many of the other reveiwers...boring and irksome. Yeah, it's outrageous but it's also incredibly disjointed and annoying, could not muster anough interest to finish it

Great writing. As usual with Palahniuk, some passages will gross you out, but the overall effect is that his books make you think.

This book is well written and funny, but not for the weak hearted. There is quite a bit of sexual content in this book.

A quirky novel from the author of Fight Club. If you like Fight Club's uncomfortable, dark corners, you love this well-crafted story of a man looking for human connections.

This book has a unique sense of humor and a refreshing style. Palahniuk manages to bounce between explicit sex, the narrator's off-kilter self-evaluation, and bits of insight about humanity without missing a beat.

What a great read from a great author! The perspective in this book is unique. The main character isn't someone class, but kinda the world's underdog. The storytelling of his life fills in with... I wouldn't say brilliant scenes, but with very believable details. You think you know him, then you KNOW you know him..... and then you're wrong. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone who wants something out of the norm and a bit twisted.
See also: Creative
See also: Sordid
See also: Page Turner

Wow. This book will boggle your mind with its depictions of over-the-top characters that are the same time despicable, endearing, and ultimately human. If you thought the movie was outrageous... The book is even more so! (And why didn't you read it FIRST?)

enjoyed it

A very strange but surprisingly entertaining book about a sex addict who fakes that he's choking to death in restaurants in order to earn sympathy money from the person who "saves" him. After the first couple chapters, I could tell this wasn't going to be one of my favorite books of all time, but I continued with it and was pleasantly surprised. There are some dull parts, and my chief complaint is that I felt like the book didn't have much of a beginning, middle, climax, resolution, etc. The entire story is basically a few-month long glimpse into the daily routines of the main character, Victor. Despite being a dispicable and directionless sex addict who takes advantage of people's sympathy to earn money to care for his mentally ill mother, you find yourself actually sypmathizing with him by the end of the book.

The writing itself was great. There is a lot of sarcasm and some really interesting and insightful points are made by Palahniuk, through Victor's observations and confusion about the meaning of life -- particularly, his own.

This is the first book by this author that I've read and I can see why he's so popular. It was totally strange but in a good way. It was totally original and had a very unexpected ending.

This book was weird and ridiculous. But I do like the author

This book leaves you guessing to the very end. I definately recommend it.

My first Chuck Palahniuk novel..and loved it! His writing is so crude that you just crave more. I really see why his novels are turned into movies. His writing is so different from other authors, it is very unique. I have some of his other books and can not wait to start them.

Messed up, not the right phrase but the first one that comes to mind.
See also: crazy, insane, heartwarming, inspiring, and creepy.
To date this is probably the craziest book Ive ever read. Its the story of a guy who is trying to make money to pay for his ailing mothers medical bills by pretending to choke on food in restaurants. People save him and then want to take care of him for the rest of his life. Its full of surprises and twists and turns and never lets you stop to breath. It gets a 5 out of 5.

typical Palahniuk novel....some rambling...some thought provoking...always sexually charged...

about a sex addict who makes his living doubling as a teacher from the 18th century, wishing his mother dead, and making it a practice to choke at every meal....

Fabulous book by the same guy who authored Fight Club, upon which the movie with Brad Pitt and Ed Norton was based. This is a raw and edgy tale (with some comedic and endearing moments) about accepting oneself, IMO. The author has a great talent for creating dark and memorable characters.

Needing to pay for elder care for his mom, the antihero devises a scam. He pretends to choke on food in upscale restaurants.

Bizarre.

Interesting was listed in the 1001 books you must read before you die

Classic Palahniuk.

One of the best of Palahnuik's works.Graphic, but human- and pointed less graphic than Haunted, his most recent book.

Sick, bizarre, twisted...my favorite qualities in a book. I really liked this one, grossness and all!

Pretty standard Palahniuk fare -- male protaganist, strange things happen to him. Rather forgettable. Not as awful as Haunted, but nowhere near as enthralling as Invisible Monsters.

I just couldn't get into this book. I tried to read it, thinking there would be more to the book beyond the main character going around and pretending to choke in nice restaraunts. But it just wasn't going any where for me.

I didn't think I'd like this book, but once I got started I didn't want to put it down.

Honestly I was a little disappointed with the simplicity of this book. I still enjoyed it though.