Rating: 
Summary: Character development!
Review: This book was so impressively written. Chuck provides the reader (if paying attention) with everything they need to really understand this complicated character.....whether you like him or not isn't the point. What "happens" to him throughout the course of the book is an absurd sequence of events that in and of themselves mean nothing really.....but what does matter is how this character reacts to them. Reading choke reminded me of Camus' "The Stranger" except way more human.
Rating: 
Summary: Great start, now finish the book!
Review: I loved Palahniuk's first three books. Like the first three, "Choke" is funny, irreverrant and brilliant social commentary. However, it reads as if the author had a deadline to finish a book by. I was just getting to know and enjoy the characters when the book came to a screeching halt. So many of the story lines could have been better developed and a few of the characters could have been more fully drawn. I'm still glad I read "Choke" and I think people who enjoyed any or all of his first offerings will like it as well. But I hope Palahniuk doesn't feel obliged to crank out a book a year. He's too important a voice to rush his words.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting premise that falls flat
Review: Palahniuk's unique prose that first came to light in "Fight Club" seems to wear out in the first few pages of "Choke". The main character, Victor is a stand-in for Jack from "Fight Club" it seems. Same frustration with commercialism and corporate power, same working class drudgery, same quirky angst. Yet the gentrified universe that Jack reacted against that Palahniuk created in his first novel seemed plausible through its absurdity. Victor never achieves that "everyman" status that creates strong empathy from the reader. His lonliness which manifests itself in the need to be sexually compulsive and to fabricate a false sense of closure for elderly people is not done well enough to hold interest. The book has its moments and they are usually on a chapter by chapter basis. Palahniuk's style forms a short story of sorts out of each chapter which, if taken as such, is extremely well written. However the story is not successful when each chapter is woven together. Story elements are either not taken far enough or just do not make sense. That Victor might be the Messiah or that his love interest might be from the future (a point brought up way too late for the reader to even care) never solidify and contribute to the haphazard construction of "Choke." Palahniuk clearly has something to say. If he could only mold less repetative characters and maintain that kick in the teeth that he is capable of.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and thought provoking
Review: Reading "Choke" allowed me to live the life of a scumbag vicariously. I learned alot about sex addicts, altheimsers disease, slug traps and colonial theme parks. I thought that this book tackled some issues that were extremley controversial, yet managed to stay somewhat lighthearted and funny. I found myself laughing out loud at many places in this book. I enjoyed the character of Denny and his "rock" addiction, I thought this was hilarious, meaningful and useless all at the same time. I thought the worstcase scenario medical allusions were both hysterical and frightning. Overall, I enjoyed this book a great deal. I would suggest this book to someone who is interested in being intrigued.
Rating:
Summary: Illicit thrill and original narrative
Review: This book is a intimate picture of characters you will both revile and glorify. To quote the text: "freaks, legends". Palahniuk's brilliance of observation will take you further into this twisted world which toys with reality and perception.
Rating:
Summary: Original to say the least
Review: Great novel. Right up there with "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The Fountainhead."
Rating:
Summary: Palahniuk amazes me again...
Review: Oh jeez, I was completely dumbfounded when I finished reading CHOKE, and that means Palahniuk has done it again. I've read all his books, more than once, and CHOKE is a masterpiece none the less. It is hard to say if CHOKE is better then FIGHT CLUB, I really can't tell. But with such a original and plot twisting story as CHOKE it is bound to make your top ten list. Trust me on this, Chuck Palahniuk is my own personal Jesus Christ.
Rating:
Summary: another great one
Review: Choke is different from other books by Chuck Palahniuk in certain ways. It did not start at the end. Less emphasis is paid to consumerism. But it is definite Palahniuk, no one can argue about it. Victor mancini is modern day saviour and he lives up to it in certain ways. The most impressive character is his mother, Ida mancini. Mr Palahniuk is definitely one of best writers alive. Atleast he made me buy the hardcover. I can't even remember when was the last time I bought hardcover fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Good book vs. good ending
Review: Ever since I carried my jaw out of the theatre from "Fight Club" I've been a fan of Chuck's (even though he didn't make the movie.) After readig Choke, I'd have to say it's his most entertaining book since...well since Fight Club, of course. But don't expect this book to be Fight Club 2, because Choke's structure is the complete opposite of Fight Club. Fight Club was only great because of its ending, yet Choke is great because of everything but the ending. Choke was one of the only books I was able to read without looking to see what page I was on. I enjoyed reading every page. The chapters are extremely short (about 4 pages), each bouncing back and forth between situations which I found rather refreshing. As I approached the last two chapters, I was afraid he might try to tie the book up into a drastic ending like Fight Club, but, instead, it ends without really having an ending at all. This might sound like a waste of time to read, but I would, personally, rather enjoy 250 pages than a 5 page ending.
Rating:
Summary: Could've been a lot better.
Review: I have read all of Palahniuk's previous books and was looking forward to the release of Choke. However, I was a little disappointed when I read it. Is worth the read but definitely not one of his best books. Hopefully the next one will be better.
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