I Am the Cheese

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Summary: Wonderful-A Must-Read!!!
Review: Visualize yourself uncovering the startling truth that your life has been a series of deceptions, fueled by the very people you thought were your allies. Your real identity has been a lie, kept a secret for fourteen years. Suddenly your way of life is filled with contempt and there is no one in whom you can put your trust, perhaps not even yourself. These are the thoughts that dwell in Adam Farmer's mind.

Adam Farmer is the main character on a bicycle with the urgent objective of reaching the hospital where his father seemingly is residing. Chapters alternate between Adam on his bike, and puzzling taped conversations between what appear to be a doctor and a confused man or boy.

The tape conversations are conducted in a curious manner, with the doctor-like character searching for something in his interrogations, and the mystery person constantly being agonized by headaches and weariness. The person is lost, can't remember any of his past, and doesn't know why he is being questioned. He doesn't know who to trust, or who not to trust, including the enigmatic doctor.

On his bike, Adam meets with a large variety of people, from a gas station attendant to a very troublesome boy and his gang. However, Adam is consistently intent on getting to his father, and seems to be blind to all other happenings. His only goal is to reach the hospital.

The two worlds of Adam's bicycle travel and mysterious conversations come together at the end of the book and clash violently. The sad secret of Adam Farmer's life is revealed, and the mysterious doctor's identity and intentions are unveiled.

I Am the Cheese is a shocking story of the barbarism of modern-day government, espionage, lies, and concealed identities. A thrill is waiting around every corner for the adventurer who dares to read this book. A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year, Winner of the 1997 Phoenix Award and a School Library Best Book of the Year, I Am the Cheese undoubtedly will be remembered by its reader.

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Summary: I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Review: I Am the Cheese is the story of a young boy who is trying to uncover his past while at the same time trying to comprehend it. It is an excellent book if you are looking for something new and creative that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. I had never read a book such as this one, and found it to be very intriguing. At some points, I just couldn't put the book down because of the way Robert Cormier weaves real-life, teenage situations into a captivating mystery. It stands out from other books in its genre of writing because of the way the clues are hidden deep within the text.
The story follows a 14 year old boy named Adam Farmer who notices strange things occurring within his home, and decides to investigate, discovering well kept secrets about his family history. Soon Adam's parents become strangers to him and his life as he knew it had been filled with lies and deceptions. As Adam struggles to find himself as a person, he tries to keep his secret hidden from his closest friend Amy, whom he confides in, and anyone else he comes in contact with. The story jumps back and forth from three different narratives of Adam's journey, which can be confusing at times but is mainly a creative way of reading a book. You get to look through both a narrator's and Adam's eyes as he tries to run from a past that will always be after him.
Robert Cormier created such amazing characters for this book, people that the readers can truly relate to, especially young adults. Adam's affiliation with his parents is one that so many people can understand because of the way he is isolated from them. His bond with Amy and timidity among his peers are situations that teenagers face throughout their high school years. Adam's parents are so well developed that at times I felt the mother's burden myself by the way she is described as so depressed in the story. Robert Cormier strays away from describing the characters physically in this book, but more emotionally and mentally. This, surprisingly, gives the reader a much needed vision of what each character feels, and thinks about. That is something that really stood out in the story.
There is excellent imagery in this story as Adam travels throughout New England in search of his father who is allegedly staying at a hospital. Adam encounters many different people who both help and destroy his chances of reaching his final destination. Many questions are left unanswered until the very end of the book when everything comes collectively together. Every small background character that is introduced in this book is important, as well as every setting Adam finds himself in. Paying attention is key when reading this story because of the clues that are given off very subtly. The ending brings everything that the reader once thought to be insignificant, to be very vital in understanding the plot better.
As certain instances occur, Adam learns that he cannot trust anyone, even the people that he once thought he could. He learns many things about himself during his adventure and even finds courage, something he never thought he possessed. Suddenly, he grows into this person that he had never known before, and does things that he never thought possible.
One very different part of this story was the tape sessions between Adam and his therapist. They were written so the readers could see the interactions between the main character and this doctor who pries answers out of Adam that he isn't even sure of. Adam really finds a better part of himself within the walls of the tape sessions because of what the therapist tries to dig out of him. Adam's faults are also very visible in this narrative voice. He is seen to be on medication and readers get a whole different out look on the character.
Cormier had some amazingly creative ideas in this book. The games that Amy and Adam play in public places, called "Numbers," were something that I loved about this book. They were ideas of Amy's which included having her and Adam play tricks on people in areas such as grocery stores and parking lots. They were so well planed and worked so smoothly that I found them so believable as if kids in my town played "Numbers" on townspeople. Amy and Adam would go into unlocked cars and turn up the volume on the radio and flip the switch of the windshield wipers on, so when drivers entered their cars and turned the key, they would be in for a surprise. This proved to me the real connection Cormier had with his characters, and how he knew what he wanted them to act, think and do.

The whole premise of I Am the Cheese is very dark and gloomy because of what each of the characters must endure, most importantly Adam. It however incorporates the pleasant times that Adam shares with his girlfriend Amy into the misery and depression that he also experiences with the secret his family hides beneath their forced smiles and sad eyes. The story doesn't end on a happy note either, which is something I loved about it. Every book I read always ends with the main character where he/she belongs. This ending breaks the mode for stories everywhere and leaves you feeling empty and alone along with Adam, the whole idea of the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well written story with an intense plot, well developed characters, and a great mystery and ending. The only thing I would warn you is to pay close attention to everything you read, otherwise the ending will not make as much of an impact on you as it could.

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Summary: I Am Chesse Review
Review: I Am The Cheese, Robert Cormier
Brian Adamson, OH
ISBN=0-440-94060-5
PRICE=$5.50

This is an excellent adventure! Anybody who likes adventures would like this. Once I started reading this great book I just couldn't put the thing back down.
This book is about a kid named Adam. He goes all his life thinking his name is Adam until his father reveals to him a deep family secret that changes his life forever. He finds out that there are people out to get his family and that his name is Paul Delmonte. The story flips back and fourth though as when he's older talking about his childhood with a therapist. Also he thinks that he is riding out to see his dad in Vermont.
This was an excellent book and I recommend it to people of all ages. Mostly people who like adventure stories.

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Summary: I Am The Cheese
Review: I Am The Cheese is the story of an emotionally disturbed teenaged boy ( Adam Farmer ) who is trying to understand his mysterious past, as well as uncovering it at the same time. His memory gradually unfolds as the book progresses. I have never read a book as intriguing as this one; especially the way that Robert Cormier weaves in real-life, teenage situations into a captivating mystery.
We are with Adam as he rides his bike from Monument, Massachusetts to a hospital in Vermont where his father is. Intertwined with the everchanging emotional trip, we read excerpts from a taped interview between Adam and an ambiguous interviewer. These tape conversations are conducted in a curious manner, with he doctor-like character searching for something in his interrogations, and the mystery person constantly being agonized by headaches and weariness. Through these tapes, we find the horror that has existed for Adam and we learn of his eventual fate. Moreover, it becomes manifested that Adam's memories are full of gaps and that a doctor is trying to help him regain all of his memories. Thoughts and events deriving from the bike ride link with Adam's memories in the hospital, help to trigger off flashbacks through which the past is filled in.
The story jumps back and forth from three different narratives of Adam's journey, which can be confusing at times but is mainly a creative way of reading a book. You get to look through both a narrator's and Adam's eyes as he tries to run from a past that will always be after him.At one point near the end of the book, the two worlds of Adam's bicycle travel and mysterious conversations come together and clash violently. The sad secret of Adam Farmer's life is revealed, and the mysterious doctor's identity and intentions are unveiled. Adam encounters many different people who both help and destroy his chances of reaching his final destination. Many questions are left unanswered until the very end of the book which is something that I liked from this novel because usually, novels end with the main character where he or she belongs; and everything is happy and animated. This ending breaks the mode for stories everywhere and leaves you feeling empty and alone along with Adam, which is the whole idea of the story.
Robert Cormier created such amazing characters for this book, people who readers can really relate to, especially young adults. Moving on, Robert Cormier strays away from describing the characters physically in this book, but more emotionally and mentally. Paying attention is vital when reading this story because of the clues that are given off very subtly and quietly.
I Am the Cheese is a shocking story of lies, and concealed identities. This novel is bleak, cynical and depressing. A thrill is waiting around every corner for the adventurer who dares to read this book. It teaches you to question reality. Furthermore, this novel is a really absorbing book filled with suspense and drama. I would recommend this book to
anyone who loves a well written story with an intense plot and storyline. While the story is sometimes confusing, the subplots all come together cleverly and believably in the end.

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Summary: "I Am The Cheese" takes the cake
Review: Adam Farmer is on a journey. A journey back in time, into his mind where he discovers his worst fears.

In this psychological thriller Adam, a young boy is being interviewed by a psychiatrist who is trying to prise information out of him to help him. On his journey to Rutterburg he discovers many things. Things that place him in great danger and from which he desperately tries to hide. He is in many places; at home on the road and with his doctor. His family is hiding from something and are always running away from danger. He remains brave throughout his journeys where he receives many shocks and surprises.

Cromier keeps the reader in suspense by giving clues in places where you don't expect them. You slowly unravel the story by adding the clues together which basically only start to make sense in the second last chapter.

Adam is all over the show which might confuse you. The book is unusual and so many characters enter the story that it is hard to keep track of them all. The book has a hidden message. It is critisizind the government, telling you about corruption and the "safety" of its citizens. The author is trying to show us how serious the evil and danger is out there. The government used adam and his family and when they were done with them simply did not protect them anymore. He is teaching us that the people who are supposed to be trusted are the ones that will turn against you.

"I am the cheese" is a compelling book which keeps you in suspense until the end. It allows you to solve the clues on your own and really makes you think. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recomend it to people who like mysteries and thrilling books.

Rating:
Summary: I Am Chesse Review
Review: I Am The Cheese, Robert Cormier
Brian Adamson, OH
ISBN=0-440-94060-5
PRICE=$5.50

This is an excellent adventure! Anybody who likes adventures would like this. Once I started reading this great book I just couldn't put the thing back down.
This book is about a kid named Adam. He goes all his life thinking his name is Adam until his father reveals to him a deep family secret that changes his life forever. He finds out that there are people out to get his family and that his name is Paul Delmonte. The story flips back and fourth though as when he's older talking about his childhood with a therapist. Also he thinks that he is riding out to see his dad in Vermont.
This was an excellent book and I recommend it to people of all ages. Mostly people who like adventure stories.

Rating:
Summary: Blair at Richview Middle School
Review: Possibly the worst thing I've ever set my eyes on. This is a story about a boy on an expedition to give his father a parcel of some sort. The main characters in this book are Adam the main character in this story,Amy Adams girlfriend,Adams Father,and Adams mother.Adams expedition begins when he delivers a gift.His Father is ill in the hospital . Oh yeah the plot of the story he rides a bycycle.He finnaly reaches his destination and finds that his faters is dead.Wow what a great book . I dont see why people praise over this book.

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Summary: Hi Ho the Dairy Oh
Review: Chilling. Sometimes authors can be separated into "Authors That End Their Depressing Book Hopefully" and "Authors That End Their Books In Deep Dark Dank Despair". Robert Cormier is of the latter category. In his remarkable, "I Am the Cheese", Cormier tells the technically adept tale of Adam Farmer. Cutting between scenes in which Adam tries to remember the events of his past and scenes of him riding his bike on a small quest to find his father, the book is a deft portrayal of what is real and what is imagined.

More than anything else, this is one of the rare psychological thrillers written specifically for youth. As Adam realizes what has happened to him, so too does the reader. And as Adam starts to mistrust his interrogator, ditto the reader. Clues to Adam's past come to him slowly, their subtlety impressive. For example, Adam discovers that his has two birth certificates. One says his correct birthday. The other, a birth date in a completely different month. This is a small discovery on his part, but a perfectly chilling one. He doesn't understand the significance of this discovery, nor does the reader, but we're compelled to discover what it all means.

If you've a kid who'd be interested in a book with an unreliable narrator, you couldn't do much better than this. Adam is sympathetic, but ultimately not in control of any of the forces that guide his travels. He is the world's victim, a fact explored fully at the novel's shocking close. DO NOT read the last page of this book if you want to be surprised. I, myself, caught an accidental glance and knew more than I ever wanted to as a result. This is not a book for anyone who likes their protagonist to overcome his/her personal struggles and triumph in some small way in the end. Nor is it a book for those who like the protagonist to use his/her brains to outwit his/her enemies and triumph in the end. This is more a book for those who like their protagonist to be helpless in the face of an unspeakable accepted evil and who will not triumph in any way at all in the end. Not your cup of tea? Avoid this book. Want a good book with a riveting story? Then enjoy the delights of, "I Am the Cheese".

Rating:
Summary: Not confusing, but not great
Review: I expected something out of the ordinary when I decided to read I Am the Cheese. It had very little effect on me, possibly because I don't particularly care much for mysteries. It is not as confusing as some other reviewers make it seem - Cormier's writing is pretty straightforward if you are capable of jumping back and forth between settings (which, I am sure, is not that difficult of a feat for the majority of us). Although some things do not become clear until the end of the novel, they do not obscure the novel's events as you read. It is a quick read - you can easily finish this in a day, and it doesn't require undivided attention. Cormier is one of the more capable writers - not dull, some segments are beautifully phrased, etc - but I did not find the storyline that interesting. If you like mystery stories, suspense, and the like, it is probably a good choice (and doesn't require a long-term commitment) but other than that, you would probably not find anything especially appealing about it.

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Summary: Kept me guessing!!
Review: "I AM THE CHEESE" IS THE WORST BOOK THAT I HAVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT HAD THE WORST ENDING EVER.... !!! THIS BOOK WAS REALLY, REAAAALLY CONFUSING, AND THE ONLY REASON I READ IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO FOR MY LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS!!! I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE, BECAUSE BELIEVE ME, IT'S REALLY NOT WORTH IT TO GET YOU'RE HEAD GUESSIN, AND TWISTED!........!!!TRUST ME, KEEP AWAY FROM THIS BOOK!(I WOUNL'T EVEN CALL IT A "BOOK"!!!)