Rating: 
Summary: Running out of steam?
Review: I was heartbroken when I got about fifty pages into Chuck Palahniuk's latest novel, Choke. The entire novel seemed more an awkard and hastily pasted together collage of leftover ideas from his three more powerful, and more intriguing earlier novels than a novel itself. Although, by the end, the reader has the sense of some point being reached - of something more than just under-processed ideas and philosophies - the book just doesn't hold together as a whole. Before even thinking of reading this novel, all Palahniuk fans should read Invisible Monsters, by far the best work of this writer. I only hope that Choke isn't a sign of a writer out of ideas
Rating: 
Summary: interesting, but...
Review: palahniuk has an interesting, sad, and depressingly accurate vision of his surroundings... so accurate that it forces you to laugh. it isn't really going to blow your mind with anything new, screw with your head the way fight club did when you first read/saw it, or make your top 5 favorite books list, but his skill is hard to ignore. an enjoyable and fast read.
Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious, couldn't stop reading
Review: I was laughing out loud reading this book. Palahniuk's deadpan humor is at it's best in this book. His writing and insights continue to be similar to all his books, so you either love him or you hate him. I recommend this book highly.
Rating:
Summary: tasty, but hard to digest
Review: "Choke" demonstrates Chuck Palahniuk's strong points in full effect--namely a flowing, involving narration combined with harsh bits of truth-telling about modern life. This, like any of his other novels, is the type of book you whip through in a frenzy, although once the end is reached it feels unfulfilling.But for a while, "Choke" is very excellent. It's the tale of Victor Mancini, a con artist who fakes choking spells in public restaurants to make any given person feel heroic (he's also in it to exploit people's generousity for $); he views himself as a saint, and with the assistance of an alleged doctor and his dying mother, he's convinced that he's the second coming of Christ, put on the earth to do good. But at a certain point he begins to resent this and has no desire but to be the dirtiest SOB ever, something he achieves through sex with a succession of loose women and a growing lack of remorse. Palahniuk's approach to religious themes is anything but subtle; he's at the pulpit, belting out line after line of faux-derisive, faux-uplifting platitudes. The last hundred pages, especially, are hampered by an over-saturation of this Bible-thumping hooey. The strongest points in "Choke" involve flashback scenes of Victor as a child, being carted from adventure to adventure by his loon/hippie mother; in these passages, Palahniuk offers up refreshingly liberated viewpoints on life and all that could be, without being schmaltzy. Also, the scenes which take place at Victor's job (a historical reenactment park) are priceless--right down to his description of what drug every employee is on. But alas, Palahniuk's key problem is bringing up too many subjects and not giving them an equal amount of attention. Not to be trite, but he seems to be biting off a bit more than he can chew with "Choke." A subplot involving a friend of Victor's who collects rocks to build an obscure sculpture is too dull to provide any lasting symbolism. An extended passage about sex in airplane bathrooms seems out of place and goes nowhere. And the scenes which show off Victor's addiction to sex--while often very funny--feel almost gimmicky. And in keeping with the twists that occur in the last 20 pages of "Fight Club" and "Invisible Monsters," Palahniuk somehow feels the need to tear down everything at the end of "Choke," as well. Only here the revelations aren't as exciting as they are trite and manipulative of the reader's intelligence. For what it's worth, "Choke" is a novel that flows beautifully and can zip by quickly, and furthers Palahniuk's status as a more intellectual and eloquent version of Bret Easton Ellis. The man can write well, there's no doubt about it, but he needs to work on evening out the rough edges before going to print.
Rating:
Summary: Reality
Review: This book follows Chuck Palahniuk's style very much. It is entertaining, yet I think the story gets lost at times with all the underlining messages. All things seem to reflect our society as in his other books. It still is good and woth a read.
Rating: 
Summary: same song, different charactes
Review: I'm a fan of Chuch Palahniuk. I've used Fight Club in my freshman level lit class. Unfortunately, Choke confirmed my fears: Chuck P. is a singer of one song (so far, anyway). Other than substituting sex for violence, the themes (and characters) are no different from FC (except FC is far superior). For example, in Choke, Victor refers to his boss as "His Highness" and "His Lord High." Tyler uses a similar "tone" when referring to the president of the union: "Mister His Honor." These comparisons may sound minor, but, reading Choke, I couldn't help but to think of FC and Survivor, to a lesser extent. No new ground is covered here. If you have never read Palahniuk, buy Fight Club or Survivor. This book is little more than a "re-tread" of his previous works but done with less brilliance. I do think that FC is a modern classic. I just hope that the author will move on to new territory and explore some other issues of modern life.
Rating:
Summary: Choke
Review: I thought this book was great, but after reading Chuck's other recent work I am begining to expect this level of straight forward social satiare. If you are always asking why, to social problems that no one seems to see or care about you will love Choke. Choke and Fight Club are perfect examples of what happens when one has hade enough, but is talented enough to get those in the mainstream and those just below the mainstream to listen. If you are searching for a book with as bold of a message, but speaks to the twenty something crowd or want to better understand the twenty something crowd then try Glorious Failure by Ben Jonjak
Rating:
Summary: Unique Story of a Sexaholic
Review: "Entertaining" isn't the right word, but it's the first word that comes to mind. Although I thought Fight Club, the novel, was much more edgy, entertaining, and compelling, I still believe Choke is worth reading especially for ANY fan of Palahniuk's style. Chuck Palahniuk has a style that captivated many through his novel Fight Club. Choke, like Fight Club, deals with the problems of one man. The story is told from his point of view so you get his opinion on everything. Choke, however, is less about physical and mental destruction and more about one mans semi-fight to stay sober as he is a sexaholic. Victor Mancini, the sexaholic, attempts to attend numerous meetings with others that have the same affliction, but he fails as he is usually side tracked in some closet with a female sexaholic. When Victor isn't working at the Colonial Historical Park he uses his spare time to "earn" money in a very unique way. Victor must use this money to pay for his mothers $3000 a month hospital bill as she is somewhat sick and confused. Many twists and turns makes this a good fiction read for most who are looking for something different. On the other hand, Choke is a must for fans of Palahniuk's special style. I'm definitely looking forward to his next novel. Oh yeah, and about Victor being the next coming of the Messiah...
Rating:
Summary: Chuck does it once again
Review: Having read all other books by the author,I was greatly pleased to see and read that he onve again has brought another tale of warped human pysche and woe. From the under-devolped, mishapened chickens to the building to nowhere for nothing,Palahniuk seems to take modern nihilism and satire as well as a bit of deconstructonsim to dizzying heights before leaving as all with his trademark what in the Hell was that ending. Truly he has become one of America's best authors.
Rating:
Summary: amazing story of identity and belief
Review: Yeah, yeah. I couldn't think up any good nihilistic title. Sorry. I've read everything except Invisible Monsters, and I think this is the best of Palahniuk's work. The structure, alternatively fragmented and beautifully symmetrical, lacks nothing, contributing greatly to the story. Victor Mancini is not always a believable character, but the meaning behind the story, which I found a little hard to grasp with Fight Club and Survivor, is right there, in your face. Who are we? What determines who we are? Can we ever truly redefine ourselves? I think the essence of this book is 'finding yourself' but it's hardly conventional. See also: Fight Club Fight Club was an amazing book. To gain anything, you have to lose everything. One of my friends said it was like "warrior buddhism." Choke is even more visceral than Fight Club. This is good. The imagery is sometimes painful. Sometimes very painful. But it all works. As Mancini spirals downward, you'll follow. I enjoyed the two different narrations...Mancini speaks for most of the book, but occasionally the author cuts in and attempts to destroy his own character. I think that's neat. Yeah. So. Go read it. It's short, it flows, and you'll like it. I did.
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