I Am the Cheese

I have mixed emotions about this book. Part of me liked it because it was, in a way, a mystery. Throughout the whole story I was wondering if Amy was actually Adam's friend, or if she was another person tryin to kill he and his family.Each character kept changing along the way and eventually their original name was discovered. Although I enjoyed the mystery of the book, I didn't however, like the way everything came together at the end. The whole story is about Adam trying to find his dad on his bike and in the end he ends up in some sort of hospital. This forced me to put a lot of thought into what I had read and I got confused, confused to the point where I had to read the whole book over. But once I understood the conclusion, it made much more sense. The whole time he was trying to make progress on past information about his family, and at the end, his life came together just a like a puzzle. I like Cormier's style of writing, and I plan on reading another one of his books.

Wow! What an incredible psychological drama! The reader follows three parallel stories of Adam Farmer's life all at once. At the end, these three stories converge into one logical conclusion!

Adam Farmer has questions about his family that he's afraid to ask. Why does his mother get secretive calls in her bedroom each week? Why does his dad get regular, secretive visits from a mysterious visitor? Why does Adam remember him and his family fleeing into the night as if they had something to fear?

Cormier creates realistic characters and shocking twists and turns that keep even his adult readers guessing. What an incredible experience this story was!

If we could give fractional stars, I would rate it at about 3.8 stars.

Instead of waking up and finding your place in the world as a gigantic cockroach, Adam (or Paul, or whoever) is simply described as a confused young man, traveling on a bike journeying to discover himself caught in a gray, rainy landscape. But is he really doing that? Does Adam ever actually leave the grounds of the hospital? Has it all been in his head? I think I should give the plot enough weight so that it's more than just a series of red herrings and none of it ever happened, but Cormier leaves the plot points ambiguous enough that one can read many possibilities as to what the real world details are.

And the very last "psychiatric analysis" leaves so much open to interpretation that it's very possible that Adam is never who we think he is, not even the young boy who we've been identifying with in the story (Why is Subject A, who we assume to be Adam, known as "personnel #2222"?). Since such ambiguity exists, the possible plots are opened up to so much more than the fact that Adam suffered a traumatic loss of parents and he is trying to recover his past under the oversight of a doctor at a psychiatric hospital.

The problem with reading such an open-ended, ambiguous plot like this is that I'm 46 and I cannot read it like the young people who have been such a large contingent on this review site. I don't or can't take it at face value, in the literal way a young person would. Perhaps I'm thinking too much (well, I'm sure of that). I don't think Mr. Cormier was trying to write in as multi-layered a fashion as I am burdening this story with. Perhaps I'm getting too old and cynical for this world but I'm sure that any bookreader/moviegoer/drama lover who considers themselves a well read and cultured adult has seen so much, listened to so much, and read so much that, if a writer doesn't nail down the plot points down exceptionally tight, we can go a little crazy in interpreting what we've just read. We could all imagine this book and its open endedness is a little like the end of the television series "St. Elsewhere" whose six seasons on the air might have been nothing more than the imaginings of an autistic young boy as he stared at a snow globe. Or if we backed up just a little ways and saw "I Am the Cheese" in a certain light one might be able to see it as a Twilight Zone episode in which the person in the "psychiatric hospital" is really Mr. Grey who was so burdened and traumatized by all his activities in relocating witnesses and trying to protect the families, especially this one family, that he snapped, started to ride around the hospital grounds like the little boy he was trying to protect, and this hospital is really an FBI/CIA affiliated facility and his overseers are trying to rehabilitate an agent back to usefulness (which is why I think the last "doctor's analysis" is so crucial to interpretation. . . well, okay, overinterpretation).

See, you can go really crazy if the author doesn't say exactly what he means. But then, I guess, that makes for a less literary experience. Yes, I'm too old and cynical.

The novel is broken into two parts. First, Adam Farmer is riding his bicycle from fictional Monument, Massachusetts to Ruttenberg, Vermont to see his father. Along his journey, we read about him being audio taped in sessions which is the second part. By reading those sessions, we know more about his past and his life. It ends in a terrifying, sad conclusion by the end of the novel.

Adam Farmer lived with his parents in Monument, Massachusetts. He is best friend with Amy Hertz. By the end of the novel and his journey, we learn horrifying secrets about his parents especially his father and his mother.

Besides the fragmentation of the novel and the broken into two parts, his journey and his taped sessions, I had trouble with the ending. I wanted to know more about Adam's life now and then. What would happen to his life and what happened to his parents? This novel is an easy read for adults but maybe troublesome for young readers. Still, I was glued to the outcome but I felt disappointed since I didn't know what really happened to the main character whose journey I had followed from the beginning.

Still, it's an interesting read for young readers and even adults.

Kids: When you're over Harry Potter and Narnia, and you want a challenging book that will make your head spin, read this book. It's about a young adolescent named Adam on his way to see his father in another town. He's riding his bike alll the way there. There is something strange going on from the beginning, yet, we're not sure what. In addition to this story, we're also seeing Adam being interviewed by a psychiatrist, supposedly after this bike ride has occurred. It is an extremely well-done book, and many kids find it to be a favorite and want to read it over again as soon as they finish it. Some get a little frustrated by it because they want very simple stories that require no thinking. If you are like this, don't read this book--yet. But come back to it when you are ready. (It's sort of like "The Sixth Sense" because it has this shocker ending. Very Cool.)
Parents/Adults: If you're not familiar with this book, read it. It can be enjoyable and challenging for readers of any age. But, I suggest it for readers who are not easily frustrated and who seek challenging books. 7th grade and up.

Robert Cormier's "I Am The Cheese" is a harrowing, riveting, and mind-boggling psychological thriller about a 14-year-old boy in search of his missing father while, at the same time, bicycling down memory lane consisting of a series of events leading to his present trek. The book is divided into three parts between the past, the present, and a series of interviews. This can be a little confusing for some readers not used to the back-and-forth transitions as depicted in the book. It takes a while to build up, and the ending comes as a complete surprise. The author keeps readers guessing as to the protagonist's present and future demise, as well as his bizzare past. Nonetheless, it is a well-told, well-written story, and I would recommend it to those interested in complex psychological thrillers.

...P>this book by robert cormier was an excellent book and is one that you dont want to put down. it has several different linse that the novel follows and is sort of confusing if your not an avid reader. the book follows about two story lines one is a journey and the other is a person being questioned.
in the end the two storys come together. there are many people that wouldnt understand this book as there are the two story lines and lots of characters that come into the book for a while and dont get developed.
there is also another confusiong aspect where there are little clues added throughout the book and that eventually make sense when they meet up in the second last paragraph.
i recomend this book for anyone over 14 unless you are an avid reader

Note: I made some Mormon angry because of my negative reviews of books out to prove the Book of Mormon, and that person has been slamming my reviews.

Your "helpful" vote is greatly appreciated. Thanks

This mystery for adults and teens really grabs you. A boy takes off on his bike to find his father, but his journey is very strange. The boy is in a secret compound because he has witnessed something.

I don't want to give anything away, but this 220-page novel kept me reading.

Buy on old paperback with the cover of the boy on his bike. In the background is a farmhouse and a man standing in a dirt lane--a wonderful illustration.

If you like coming-of-age novels, read Robert McCammon's "Boy's Life." A super novel! Click here to read the great lines I quoted in my review: Boy's Life

Oh, and "Summer of Night," by Dan Simmons.
Summer of Night (Aspect Fantasy)

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier (Random House, 1997), is the story of a boy on a mission to see his father, a mysterious man in an institution, and Adam, a boy who discovers that his life has all been one big lie. Their stories weave in a suspenseful plot that keeps the reader guessing and thinking at every twist and turn. Readers may be taken aback, or even confused, by the book's use of three viewpoints. All three narrators feel underdeveloped, like mere facets of a real person. At first, the connections are not clear. Careful readers, however, will soon make links between the three characters and get wrapped up in their collective story. As the story builds, the reader is asked to become a detective of sorts, drawing their own conclusions throughout, until the explosive climax, where the reader and narrators all discover together the truth about their lives. This gripping psychological thriller is perfect for mature teens looking for something loftier than the average YA novel.

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.

Imagine your life by yourself with no one by your side. How would you handle it? How would you take it? This book is called I Am The Cheese. By Robert Cormier.

I Am The Cheese is about a boy that travels on a bike to make his way to his father in Vermont. This kid's name is Adam. Adam finds himself stuck in a lot of knots and going through a lot of obstacles, but he doesn't care what it takes through the woods, stopping at motels, getting chased by other boys or getting his bicycle stolen for a period of time, as long as he gets to his dad, little does he know he will run into something bigger than a obstacle and it is a big twist at the end.

I like the fact that no matter what Adam keeps going and fights through it all. I dislike how confusing the book got towards the middle, but I like how the ending made things clear, and also how if you try thinking hard enough you can sort of predict the ending.

Adam is the main character in the book and he is very lost and confused in the story, he's also depressed and sad a lot. Once he discovers something good it somehow gets ruined this makes him go from happy to disappointed. He's also confident in a way. Adam knows where his destination is and he's determined he's going to get there. I would also say that Adam is very intelligent because, for a kid to go through all that he has definitely conquered a lot.

I highly recommend anyone that loves mysteries and surprises to read this book. I think a person that likes to challenge him or herself would enjoy I Am The Cheese. If anyone reads this book they need to pay really good attention and actually be involved in the complex story. If you're the type that likes mysteries and twist and turns, then YES, please buy this book I highly recommend.

I really really really disliked this book!!! It was very crazy and weird!!! There were too many things going on at once and there were too many different settings(three)!!! The main character was CRAZY!!! He was telling three different stories at one time!!! He had absolutly no idea what he was talking about!!! His father testified against some people who were in trouble with the government and his life changed. His name changed and so did everything else. You can't keep track of what is going on in the book!!! One minute he will be talking about his childhood and the next minute the will be talking about his trip to go find his father!!! You think he is talking to a psychiatrist but there is no way you can be sure!!! You have to read almost everything twice!!! It's not divide into chapters which makes things even more confusing. If you are thinking about reading this book DON'T!!! I give this book two thumbs DOWN!!!! If you have a different opinion keep it to yourself!!!!!!!!!!

No one can be trusted. No one. Robert Cormier sends readers on a gripping psychological journey in the chilling mystery "I am the Cheese" (Alfred A. Knopf, 1977). Teenage Adam Farmer climbs aboard his bike destined to find his father and finds along the journey fragments of his own self identity connected to a loving (yet secret) family life. Bits and pieces of the protagonist's life are revealed through three different perspectives, Adam's first person bike ride, an interrogation transcription, and third person anecdotes amplifying the suspense of the story. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, turning the pages as fast as the pedals on Adam's bike trying to make sense of the mystery as a story of lies, distrust, and government corruption unfolds. Why doesn't Amy answer the phone when Adam calls? Who is this "doctor" who is interrogating Adam? Will Adam ever make it to Vermont? Young adults will sympathize with the shy and awkward Adam Farmer on his quest for identity and they will not be able to put the book down until the mystery is revealed in a shocking and powerfully gripping ending. Readers will begin to ask after the last page has been turned, who can really be trusted?

The book is great! I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to other readers. However, if you do not like to be kept in suspense, then do not touch this book! It kept me on my toes the whole time that I was reading it (and also in between reading sessions). The only problem that I had with the book is that it isn't long enough, it leaves too many questions unanswered, and it doesn't explain what happens to Amy's family (why would the newspapper man leave his newspapper?). Anyway, I would like to point some confused people, who do not know what to read right now, to this book.

The book called I am the Cheese, by Robert Cormier. It is am amazing book that I have read over the past few weeks. The story is based on a boy searching on a bicycle to find his father, and a desperate journey through the mind to unlock the secret past. As his search progresses through the chill October night, Adam remembers a happy childhood marred only by small memories: his parents' whispered conferences, their sudden midnight move to a new house, the strange man in the gray suit. But it is the past that must not be remembered if Adam wants to survive.

It throws you off until something unbelievable happens next. It made me really want to get up and eat some cheese. This was a very good book that I just randomly picked out of the library. I have never read such an adventurous book in my life. He reaches for the truth that hovers over him at the edge of his mind- and he brings the truth to a shattering end.

This psychological mind screw aimed at the teen group is so perfect in it's execution, you will wish for a movie to be made of it, although a movie could never truly capture this book's sensational human frailty. At 11 years of age I first read this twisted mass of complexities about a teen who is just looking for answers on a trek across states to see his dad. Inbetween there's the therapy sessions that still remain etched into my memory as some of the most amazing writing ever produced in a young person's book. I read it again and again over the rest of my teen years and enjoyed every heart wrenching second of it.

I had the time to revisit this terriffic classic again recently. It has been re-released and deservedly so. I was shopping for other books at the book store and happened upon it. Since my original copy is now seriously yellowed and fragile from age, I of course took the opportunity to buy it again. I enjoyed it even more as an adult than when I was closer in age to the main character. ANYONE of ANY age who has a penchant for psychological thrillers or mysteries needs to read I Am The Cheese as it is a supremely crafted tale that grabs you and sucks you in unlike so many other young people's (or even adult's) books.

Talk about well-written! This one ranks right up there with "A Catcher In The Rye" as one of my favorite adolescent books. A terse, gripping drama, this is a "coming of age" tale about a young boy trying to find his identity under extraordinary circumstances. Scenes play out as if from two completely separate lives, pulling you in with their everyday trials and historic moments. But there is no happy ending here, mirroring life's often frightening journey. In my humble opinion, this should be required reading in every junior high and/or high school

So many people, my professor included, have jumped off the trendy cliff for Bud, Not Buddy, and have neglected a fasinating work in I Am the Cheese, by Robert Cormier. This book balances THREE different perspectives; one first person narrative, a third person record, and a cryptic diary of psychiatric recordings. Cormier proves that with this book you have to have skill. He did something different while Christopher Paul Curtis wrote pretentious, cheesy, and politically correct jargon with Bud, Not Buddy.
But as usual, the best writer isn't the one to be recognized.

Robert Cormier's I am the Cheese (Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1977), tells the heartbreaking tale of Adam Farmer as he journeys to find his father and uncover the truth about his past. Alternating between Adam's 80 mile bike ride to Vermont and mysterious taped sessions with Brint, an interrogator who is supposed to be helping Adam uncover the truths of his past, the reader begins to learn more and more about Adam's troubled and confusing past. Cormier expertly draws the reader in, and allows the reader to distrust and question Brint's motives just as Adam does. By dropping hints ever so slightly, both the reader and Adam begin to look at Brint in another light. Maybe he isn't a helpful doctor trying to help Adam, but a man desperate to find out if Adam knows something he shouldn't, and makes Adam think that they are enemies. As Adam's journey comes to a close, the reader learns that he was never in control from the start. The ending, both shocking and sad, will stick with the reader, and leave questions that will never be answered.

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.

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".

Adam Farmer is riding his bike to Rutterburg, Vermont to visit his Father. It's an old-fashioned bicycle, and he pedals fast on it while donning his father's army jacket and wool cap, a present safely wrapped and tucked inside the basket on his handlebars. He left sporadically, but has the trip seemingly planned out; all the cities he'll pass through along the way, all the stops he'll need to make. But who is Paul Delmonte? Or The Grey Man? And what about Amy Hertz?

Robert Cormier presents a gripping story of a boy's search for his father and for the truth in I am the Cheese (Random House 1977). Half written in transcript from recorded sessions between Adam and an un-described questioner, Brint, the reader uncovers the story piece by piece in a way that creates suspense and arouses page-turning curiosity. Cormier's incredible and descriptive writing makes the reader feel every rut in the road, every glitch of panic and confusion on Adam's journey. With clever plot twists and a shocking ending, this book is a nail biting, page-turner that will leave the reader hungry for more after they finish.

As a young child, I considered Robert Cormier one of my heroes. He wrote engaging, enigmatic stories that did not pander to his young adult audience, yet his novels were not too tough-and-stringy for such readers to digest. I read his entire catalog of books, from "The Chocolate War," to "Fade," and everything else in between, and each enthralling book helped me to examine (what were) complex social and moral issues. His books were refreshing and thought provoking, and I greatly appreciated Cormier's assumption that young children were capable of understanding three dimensional characters, hard truths, and pain more substantial the pain of a friend moving away or of losing a beloved pet.
Cormier's novels had a deep and beneficial impact on my developing personality, and I thank him.
Over the years, although I did not forget his name, I did not think about Cormier very much. He served his purpose, I felt, and had nothing new to offer.
Many of us know already that Robert Cormier recently passed away. I read it in the Boston Globe, and I was deeply saddened. I decided to, out of respect, re-read my favorite of his novels, "I am the Cheese." I was a little nervous, expecting to be disappointed.
This was not the case. "I am the Cheese," is a novel that is in many ways formatted for children. However, it is also a novel that can bring back (and make real), for those adults who want them, the feelings of loneliness, despair, suffocation, and unreasonable fear that we felt when we were thirteen or so.
This is no summer Disney flick with a few hidden tongues-in-cheek for Mom n' Dad. "I am the Cheese" is a (yes) simple, but POWERFUL tour-de-force of brittle yet sepulchral sentiment.
As adults (and I guess I am one, but only by default), we pretty much have our minds made up about any issue we might come across. Conservative or liberal, religious or agnostic, and so on. I strongly recommend this book for adults, because it is a gateway to the mind of that child we try so hard to forget; the child who is alone, running away, in constant motion, trying to cope and trying to make sense of it all. And doing just that without the benefit of a helpful tradition of longstanding opinion or any sense of real identity.
Finally, adults should keep in mind that this, or any of Cormier's novels, really are excellent books for growing young adults. Yes, Cormier is notoriously associated with banned books and with inciting rebellion in the minds of young readers. Many parents are protective about what ideas their children are exposed to, and do not want to reinforce such messages. Others feel that such frank material is not suitable for an impressionable mind. Keeping this in mind, I nonetheless ask all parents to yank the (flavor of the month) Backstreet Boys' unofficial bio out of the hands of your daughters, and the 50 page, illustrated, pro wrestling advert out of your sons'. You may replace this saccharine, rotting, yet somehow book-shaped compost with "I am the Cheese," (or at least some Sallinger).
Before it is too late...
Rest in peace, and thank you, Mr. Cormier. You have my love.

As an English teacher, I truly appreciate the ability to analyze the main character, Adam, from both the first and third person points of view. The world that is real and that which is fantasy mesh to leave the reader wondering the ultimate outcome. Is Adam's perception the reality or do we learn the "real" truth through the author's observations? In reality, Cormier leaves us to wonder on purpose - much the same way life leaves us no easy solutions. Some times there just isn't an answer!

As a young child, I considered Robert Cormier one of my heroes. He wrote engaging, enigmatic stories that did not pander to his young adult audience, yet his novels were not too tough-and-stringy for such readers to digest. I read his entire catalog of books, from "The Chocolate War," to "Fade," and everything else in between, and each enthralling book helped me to examine (what were) complex social and moral issues. His books were refreshing and thought provoking, and I greatly appreciated Cormier's assumption that young children were capable of understanding three dimensional characters, hard truths, and pain more substantial the pain of a friend moving away or of losing a beloved pet.
Cormier's novels had a deep and beneficial impact on my developing personality, and I thank him.
Over the years, although I did not forget his name, I did not think about Cormier very much. He served his purpose, I felt, and had nothing new to offer.
Many of us know already that Robert Cormier recently passed away. I read it in the Boston Globe, and I was deeply saddened. I decided to, out of respect, re-read my favorite of his novels, "I am the Cheese." I was a little nervous, expecting to be disappointed.
This was not the case. "I am the Cheese," is a novel that is in many ways formatted for children. However, it is also a novel that can bring back (and make real), for those adults who want them, the feelings of loneliness, despair, suffocation, and unreasonable fear that we felt when we were thirteen or so.
This is no summer Disney flick with a few hidden tongues-in-cheek for Mom n' Dad. "I am the Cheese" is a (yes) simple, but POWERFUL tour-de-force of brittle yet sepulchral sentiment.
As adults (and I guess I am one, but only by default), we pretty much have our minds made up about any issue we might come across. Conservative or liberal, religious or agnostic, and so on. I strongly recommend this book for adults, because it is a gateway to the mind of that child we try so hard to forget; the child who is alone, running away, in constant motion, trying to cope and trying to make sense of it all. And doing just that without the benefit of a helpful tradition of longstanding opinion or any sense of real identity.
Finally, adults should keep in mind that this, or any of Cormier's novels, really are excellent books for growing young adults. Yes, Cormier is notoriously associated with banned books and with inciting rebellion in the minds of young readers. Many parents are protective about what ideas their children are exposed to, and do not want to reinforce such messages. Others feel that such frank material is not suitable for an impressionable mind. Keeping this in mind, I nonetheless ask all parents to yank the (flavor of the month) Backstreet Boys' unofficial bio out of the hands of your daughters, and the 50 page, illustrated, pro wrestling advert out of your sons'. You may replace this saccharine, rotting, yet somehow book-shaped compost with "I am the Cheese," (or at least some Sallinger).
Before it is too late...
Rest in peace, and thank you, Mr. Cormier. You have my love.

As an English teacher, I truly appreciate the ability to analyze the main character, Adam, from both the first and third person points of view. The world that is real and that which is fantasy mesh to leave the reader wondering the ultimate outcome. Is Adam's perception the reality or do we learn the "real" truth through the author's observations? In reality, Cormier leaves us to wonder on purpose - much the same way life leaves us no easy solutions. Some times there just isn't an answer!

This book kills me. It overwhelms and destroys me and rips apart my world. Does this sound like a positive review? Well, "positive" is a watery understatement. I will never forget the moment I, as a high-school freshman, hiding my reading from my teachers, desperate to get to the end, finished this book. I feel a hint of that enormous, shattering emotion swirling up into my gut even as I read a few words of the excerpt displayed here. If you are an alienated young man, one-click this book now.

I picked the book because of its unusual title. (jamie)
If you like adventerous books, you will really enjoy this one. It is about a kid, Adam Farmer, who needs to find his real identity. When he does, he is really shocked. (llj)
There was a boy named Paul Delmonte and his life really changed after his father found out something about the Mafia. When he was a little kid his named changed to Adam Farmer. Then the Mafia was trying to kill his father. (rp,jb, and ms)

Like another commenter, some of my classmates had to read this book for their 8th grade English class. We're in 9th grade now, and I chose to read this for my English assignment. I enjoyed the book, although I wasn't overly fond of it. I was quite confused, though, on what the package was, and what the story was really about, athough I understood the basic idea. If you would like to discuss this book with me, or your comments about it, feel free to email me.

This book is broken up into three parts. The first part is Adam, riding his bike, trying to get to the town that he was born and find his father so he can deliver a package that he has brought him. The second part is Adam speaking with someone and trying to remember his past. The third part is Adam in the past, and what has happened. All of these parts are intertwined together to make one very compelling novel. The story is very interesting and kept me always wanting to read more. It is unique in that it has three different parts, all about Adam and that we are learning Adam's story as he is.

The characters were very interesting. Throughout the novel, we follow Adam Farmer through his life and his discoveries. He is a very believable character. Adam is a young teen, about 14 or so, who is lost in himself and confused. He is also very shy. Adam has lived a very normal life in a very un-normal situation. His parents are also very believable. They are typical parents, only wanting the best for their child, even though they have something to hide. The "doctor is also very believable, he continues to ask questions to try to uncover Adam's past. He also prescribes medication for Adam. The doctor seems to be evil, while Adam and his family are good. Adam is a very memorable character. He is a child trying to find his way in life and remember his past. The reader feels bad for Adam.

This book was utterly amazing. It is truly an unexpected masterpiece. As the story begins, the young, naive, shy, Adam Farmer is taking a trip from Massachusetts to Vermont. However, as this boy's story continues we realize that this is not only a trip to Vermont but a trip through his life. He slowly fills in the missing pieces of his puzzling life as the story continues before coming to a shattering climax and end. While the story is carefully written and woven together masterfully, the suspense of the story slowly grows with each sentence. It is a story that you can oddly relate to and yet is nothing like anything that you have ever experienced before. This is an amazing novel that is not only for young adults but for adults as well. I cannot express enough how fantastic and amazing this book is. Words seem to fall short of its ability to draw a reader in until they, like Adam Farmer are enwrapped in all of this chaos and darknesss. The ending leaves you breathless and almost sorry you finished reading it. While I have read many books of every genre that is out there, this is book is like no other and has found a place in my heart always. This book truly is magnificent.

I got my summer reading list for school, took one look at it and figured it would be the same horrible, boring stories that are usually on it :) I decided to read "I am the Cheese" because of other comments that i read on the store.com curious to see if my own reaction would be the same as the many positive ones i had read. When i finished the book i thought it was incredible, i could easily say it was one of the best books i've read in a long time.

By Alex Relph, Chad Kerley, Maddie Taylor, Isaac Gomez, and Sky Nichols

I Am The Cheese by Robert Cormier, is an excellent book for both male and female teenagers. A boy's struggle to find the truth about his life, takes him back to a place in the past that perhaps he shouldn't remember. It all starts when he takes a fall on his bike and it all comes back to him. As it may have been confusing at times to switch back from reality to him having discussions with his therapist, it becomes a nice refreshment from a normal story. You go along with the character to uncover his real identity. The book leaves you asking questions which we personally did not like, but does fall in the category of a mystery thriller. It is a good story and his suitable for adrenaline junkies. So read it for yourself!!

I Am the Cheese is a fascinating story about Adam Farmer, a boy in search of his family and the truth. The plot moves back and forth between the story of Adam's journey to find his father and recorded conversations he has with a psychiatrist. During these sessions, Adam slowly remembers and discloses information from his past. As he does, his history begins to make more sense to him and to us. Cormier does an excellent job of drawing the reader into the story. The plot is clear and easy to follow, but interesting enough that we want to continue reading. Like Adam on his bike, the reader rides breathlessly through twists and turns, desperately hanging on to reach the conclusion. Adam is a real human being, with doubts and insecurities. He is constantly searching for love and stability, reaching out to his parents, as well as to his quirky girlfriend Amy. Readers will find themselves wishing that they could somehow shield him from life's horrors. The ending is very surprising. It has finality, yet the reader is unsettled. Although the conclusion is not optimistic, there are many ideas worthy of later reflection.

I Am the Cheese is a psychotic thriller placed in the late 1900's in New England. The story is about a teenager named Adam Farmer who leads the reader on a journey to uncover his own hidden past. Cormier transitions well between the views of the story. In one view, Adam is riding his old bike from Monument, Massachusetts to Ruttenburg, Vermont to visit his father in the hospital and give him a secret gift he had brought with him. The other view is that of Adam doing interviews with a psychiatrist who is trying to help him remember what happened in his shady past. Another unusual part of the story is that Cormier often leaves the reader unsure of the events transpiring because the story is told from a backwards point of view. This means that the readers must use their intelligence to try to sort the events out. This can also be a negative because it isn't a book that should be taken up for pleasure reading because the confusion may be too much to handle along with the story's often depressing plot. Another downside is the story's setting. Cormier has Adam riding his bike on his way to Vermont for almost the entire book. In conclusion, despite the negatives, I Am the Cheese still may appeal to the kind of reader who likes to figure things out for themselves.

I am the Cheese
By: Jordan Sinclair
I am the Cheese gives a good example of a book where at some moments throughout it the reader may be confused but in the end the plot comes together cleverly. Robert Cormier's style in writing is, making the reader keep interested and always wanting to know what occurs next.

This book is told when a boy, Adam Farmer has lived his life with life changing secrets, and most of what he thinks is his life is one big lie. Adam Farmer escapes his home town riding his bike, looking for his father at a hospital, as Adam is riding he is thinking about tape conversations that are discussed between him and a doctor. As Adam is riding to his father he meets many people who stop him, but still thinking about reaching his father, Adam proceeds.
This book is mainly directed for ages 12 and up. Adams only good friend in the book is his girlfriend, at some moments he describes some physical/sexual behavior between his girlfriend and himself. Robert Cormier writes a good fiction book, which always makes the reader paying attention, and thinking throughout the whole book. Overall in my opinion this book gives a good suspense plot, and I enjoyed it a lot!

I thought that the book was interesting. In the beginning it was boring. It was boring because I wasntthinking on how important every word was until you work out each clue and that they ALL link up together. The most insignificant words that you wouldnt think about twice, counted the most. In the end every word and every clue came together to form the whole story.
The characters were very well played in the book. They seemed very unusual and make you think that your life is much better and you should be grateful. Adam was very well portrayed and I enjoyed him a lot. The book is about a boy named Adam Farmer-or is it? He discovers things about his life. He stays in asylum because of a terrible thing that happened. Adam was very traumatised when he was younger and suffered memory loss. Adam was confused and you want to read the whole book to find out what is happening.
The setting was very well thought of and very clever. You would never imagine the setting to be in the asylum.
This book was a Psychological thriller. The plot of the story was slightly exaggerated. The story line isnt like any other book. This book is unusual in nature with a great twist at the end. It is an exciting book and you will enjoy reading the book.
The book was serious, not light. The themes were death, lies, deceit and trauma.
The book was very good. I read the cover and it said it all comes together on the very last page. I read the whole book and was disappointed because I hadnt thought about a very important sentence and it counted the most. We discussed it in class and it all came together.

Robert Cormier did an excellent job writting this piece of literature. It was an excellent book. It made me think about things that I had never thought about that goes on in our society. This story was a mystery, even at the end. Even on the last page there were still some things you, as the reader, will have to figure out. Once you start reading "I Am the Cheese" it is extremely hard to put down. There are many sad and shocking events that take place. The many mysterys in this book, make it very interesting to read. It always keeps you on the edge of your seat. Although It was very confusing in the beginning, it all ties together for a very unpredictable, dynamite ending. Now sometimes when I go places I wonder about the "Never Knows". If you want a book that will make you think hardly about the plot and you are willing to analize every page, you will love this book. It is an extremely outstanding book. Most adults and teenagers should have fun reading this. The last page will leave you gasping for more of Robert Cormier works of literature.

Like many of Robert Cormiers' novels, "I am the Cheese" is quite confusing and depressing. Although some of Adam Farmer's (the protagonist) experiences are exaggerated, teenagers can relate to them. Through many question and answer sessions, Adam discovers many hidden memories, and some of these memories are not very comforting. Adam is alone in an unfamiliar setting (the foster and mental institution), searching for his lost father. Adam goes on this never-ending journey in search for his father, and he does not realize the truth until the last few pages of the book. Like many teenagers, Adam is searching for his identity. He wants to feel a sense of belonging, especially since he does not have parents. His question and answer sessions actually help him find his identity in the end. Even though Adam's real name is Paul, the name is irrelevant to how Adam defines his identity. Many teenagers go through the same type of identity crisis, and reading the book will help teenagers understand that they, themselves, have to find their own identity regardless of what identities others assign to them. In the end when Adam finally stops pedaling his bike, he comments, "...although I do not like it here and I feel somehow that I do not belong here, there is a feeling of belonging, of being among familiar things." This comment is very realistic toward life's application since we cannot always enjoy the situation we are in, but once we can understand and make sense of it, it is easier to accept. The book is a great book to use for class discussions because it will enhance students' critical thinking. However, students must be braced for a challenge; "I am the Cheese" is a very difficult book to understand without any type of interpretation and discussion.

Although the structure and content of I am the Cheese, written by Robert Cormier, may be confusing and hard to understand at times, this novel will truly open you eyes to the evils of today.The constant change of scenery and suspense as to the identity of the characters left me searching for an answers, and eventually finding them in the interesting twist at the end of the novel. However only after reading this book did I realize that the federal bureaucracy is not as honest as it claims to be. Through Adam's horrific tale, I have learned what really happens when an innocent person knows too much. You will be amazed at the amount of corruption within our very own government system.I am very pleased with the knowledge I gained from this novel. This book is definitely worth reading, if only to educate yourself a little further on the everyday injustices of our society.

:) hi everyone..im writing a paragraph review for my test in english...yay? i don't think so but here i go.....
I Am the Cheese was a book that I enjoyed - most of the time. It was definitely confusing until I got to the end and it suddenly dawned onto me what had happened. Adam Farmer was your not the average 14-year old teenage boy. He had gone through a lot. His father had found documents that somehow showed the government was corrupt. That was when all the trouble started - and for the reader, the confusion. However much confusing the book was, I still got a lot out of it. For instance, there were multiple themes throughout the story. Pokey the Pig - Adam's stuffed animal, was one example of a theme. Pokey represented Adam's last tie with his family. Also, he was a farm animal and that kind of relates back to the Farmer in the Dell sone, another theme. THis whole book is made up of themes and in my opinion, that was what made it confusing. Don't worry though, you'll understand it in the end as I did. Have fun reading :0

"I am the Cheese" is written by Robert Cormier. It is a book about a boy named Adam Farmer, trying to remember his past, aided by psychiatric interviews. The book follows a strange format, three different narratives, skipping from one narrative to another. This strange format can be confusing to some people, and my recommendation is to discuss what is going on with someone else who has read the book.
The language that Cormier uses is very effective, creating strong images in his desciption of characters, settings and places. This is reflected in the use of figurative language, "The two chairs are piled on one another like a kind of obscene embrace."
In conclusion, the book is quite effective when describing, however I strongly recommend that discussion about the book is needed if you are to get a strong grasp on what has actually happened.

The cheese stands alone.

Adolescent life is filled with angst. In Robert Cormier's heartbreaking novel, Adam Farmer's life truly crumbles around him. Adam hops on his bicycle to ride through New England to deliver a package to his father. But what's in the package and will Adam make it safely? As Adam remembers his younger years with a scent of lilacs, his mother's former happiness, and a hasty move to a new home, he begins to piece together hidden parts of his life. Wheeling out of town, Adam leaves behind his girlfriend Amy. Thinking of her often during the ride, he attempts to call her several times. Each time, though, a man answers and insists Adam has the wrong number. Could something else be going on?
Multiple points of view set up this complex tale. The storyline switches from Adam on his bicycle to his memories of the past. Woven around these are cryptic transcripts of Adam speaking to a "therapist" named Brint. The novel involves fear, government conspiracy, deception and the sacrifices one makes for family. While the separate storylines may keep readers on their toes, the outcome is worth the wait. Cormier pushes his audience to ask questions and wonder about whether life really is as it seems.

This is a suspenseful and fast-paced tale about Adam, who pedals furiously and desperately on his bike across New England in search of his father, his past, and his sanity. The story is spliced with excerpts from a transcript involving Adam and a sinister, mysterious interrogator. As I read, I wondered why Adam seemed so mute and withdrawn during these sessions, but in retrospect, after the last chapter, it made perfect sense. If psychological intrigue, you'll like this book. A definite must-read for Cormier fans. A strange, tragic, and addictive book.

This is an excellent book, and Robert Cormier's writing is great, probably the best "Young Adult Fiction" I've ever read. It's dark (not as dark as some other Cormier books, but still dark) but whoever said it was inappropriate for middle school students doesn't give kids enough credit. The ending is pretty confusing, so it merits reading (and probably re-reading) VERY CAREFULLY. Otherwise, you will miss the most crucial points of the novel, which reveal the ending "twist". I'm not to proud to admit that I missed it the first time through - the people who say that this book is just about a bike ride are missing it as well.

Properly understood, this book is actually very deep, and has a great plot twist. If you enjoy it, you'll also like the rest of Cormier's very extensive catalog. The Chocolate War and After the First Death would probably be good places to start.

In I am the cheese, Robert Cormier depicts Adam Farmer as a shy character that many teenagers could relate to. The book depicts Adam in two different stories: one involving Adam on a trip by bike to his father in Rutterburg, Vermont; the other with Adam accompanied by a psychologist, trying to figure out Adam's past. In both stories, the reader is caught off balance between Adam's sudden entrance into a hospital to Adam realizing his secret and dangerous past. This book not only reveals suspense and action, it also lets teenagers relate to the character and find out more about themselves. Never have I read something so paralleled to feelings that many teenagers have, and I believe this book is one of the tops for teenage books. Some of the uncertainty is unoticed in the beginning, but the end is one of great surprise.