Choke is a novel by Chuck Palahniuk about Victor Mancini, a medical school dropout who lives off his inheritance by conning people in restaurants and casinos. He meets Dr. Sherman Maria condescendingly throws money away at the casino tables he frequents spares her feelings with various subtle put-downs. She agrees to treat him for free after she learns of his compulsion to choke himself unconscious during sex supposedly as an act of mercy so that he never has to know true disappointment or failure: Victorino’s mother became pregnant with him while working as a prostitute; she then developed cancer and refused treatment because it would have required chemotherapy, which would have interfered with her ability to work as a prostitute. To support herself and Victorino, Mrs. Mancini turned tricks alongside her son from the age of twelve onward – until the day she died giving birth to him (not realizing until too late that this was actually due only partially ). From early childhood on Victorino heard graphic storiesof all sorts direct from his mother mixed inextricablywith retellingsof TV shows , booksand movies: “Mommy’s cunt smells like cabbage tonight because three sailors took me out for Korean food before we went to the movies.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in. It’s a story about struggling to find your place in the world, and ultimately realizing that you don’t have to belong to any specific group to feel whole. It’s also an LGBTQ+ themed book, which makes it particularly relevant and relatable for many readers.
Pros :
- The book is well-written and easy to read
- It effectively tells the story of a complex character
- The plot is interesting and unpredictable
Cons :
- The author’s unique writing style will keep you engaged throughout the entire book.
- The story is well-paced and provides a great plot with intriguing characters.
- You won’t be able to put this one down!
Learn more about the author
Chuck Palahniuk is the author of Lullaby, Fight Club, Survivor and Choke. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Reader Reviews
“Palahniuk vividly renders the way in which Mancini’s grim past dictates his present, and yet there remains within him glimmers of hope and redemption. This is a bleak but mesmerizing novel.”
“Raw, dark and beautifully written with an unreliable narrator you can’t help but like. Palahniuk paints a picture of desperation that is impossible to look away from.”
“The writing is hilarious and disturbing all at the same time. Palahniuk has a way of making you feel like everything he’s describing could actually happen, which makes for a very creepy but compelling read.”
“If you’re a fan of Palahniuk’s work, then you’ll love this one. A dark and twisted tale that will keep you hooked until the very end.”
