I Am the Cheese

I read this for my 9th grade english class

This is the only assigned book that i read thoroughly cover to cover my freshman year and i'm so glad i did. i loved it so much. its a beautifully written mental journal of the protaganist struggling to find himself. its the same journey we all take at that age but he has a wrench thrown in. it's written in a mix of prose and transcripts. the prose cuts between first and third person. it seemed confusing to me but when i started it was completely clear. this is a beautiful story. i was sobbing at the end.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

'The cheese stands alone'

The book ¿I Am the Cheese¿ I a great book. Is if full of suspenseful events that will lead you to keep on reading. The book has two plots to it. Some of it is Adam Farmers Journey to ¿find his father¿. And some of it is the interrogation between the ¿psychologist¿ and Adam Farmer when he is at the insane asylum. Throughout the book you know that there is something wrong with Adam but it is hard to tell just what it is. As the story goes on you start to see more of a connection between the two plots in the story. As more time passes more of Adams past is revealed and even more of a connection is seen. At the end you learn that Adam suffers from amnesia and were never on a trip to find his father. You also learn that his family was in hiding and has a secret past. ¿The cheese stands alone¿ Adam says he is the cheese, and he will always be. He thinks he will always stand alone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

do not be frustrated when you first start this book. I am fourteen and extremely impatient, but I was determined to read this book... That was a great decision. This novel is a bit slow in the beginning, but get past the first fifteen pages or so and you'll be hooked. We are the audience for Adam's mental journal. He brings us on the long awaited journey to find his father, and while doing so, we also witness his conversation with the 'doctor' he must have sessions with every day. You'll be rooting for Adam every step of the way. Be prepared though, to cry for him at the end. 'enjoy!'

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

??

while reading the book most things made sense and seemed interesting but the end i was so confused and had so many questions. I was disapointed because i thought it would be a great book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I felt empty

While reading this book, going along on Adam's journey i felt if not confused, empty like the book genuinely depressed me. I really wouldn't reccomend this book to an individual. Maybe to a class to see how other people felt about it but not leisurly.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Kids: Read this out loud with a parent!

My 13-year-old daughter was assigned this book in an 8th-grade English class, but I think both its format and subject matter are perhaps too confusing for such unsophisticated readers. I would recommend that it be saved until late in high school, even though the protagonist is a young teenager. My daughter got so confused by this novel, that she got way behind in her assigned reading. And so she asked me to read it aloud to her. This proved quite helpful for her, since we were able to stop and puzzle over certain incidents together, rather than her trying to figure things our for herself. (She couldn't, most of the time, and so she often gave up.) This novel, though brilliantly written and quite compelling to read as an adult, is extremely dark and complex. I really feel that we are asking too much of our middle-schoolers, developmentally, to grasp this at home on their own. If teachers insist on assigning it in middle school, I would suggest that they read it IN CLASS together with their students. There are too many frightening aspects of mind-control and inuendo that could send an adolescent with the least bit of self-esteem problems into a deep, downward spiral of depressing thoughts. A teacher explaining and watching for untoward reactions from his/her students could help to move these thoughts into a more positive realm. We should try at this age to re-affirm our children's values of self-worth instead of scaring them to death! If teachers would take the time to read this in class with their students, I believe I AM THE CHEESE is definitely worth the effort. Cormier does a masterful job of weaving various motifs throughout his narrative -- the chills, the bicycle, even the color gray, as well as several others. As a former college instructor, I would think this novel could provide the basis for some excellent, thought-provoking compositions by juniors or seniors in high school. But, as I said to begin with: Kids, read this out loud with an adult!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The first person perspective that I am the cheese by Robert Cor

The first person perspective that I am the cheese by Robert Cormier gave me, was the feeling of a masterpiece being fabricated in my imagination. The constant questioning of the next event was astonishing to me. Also the idea that there is only one character that the story follows was a whole new route explored by me when I read the book. Also the idea that no relationships are involved, was irregular to me in relation to other books that have many. I found that the adventure and mischief that happened in the book related to a childhood fantasy of running away. I really felt like the book was a description of some of the events I went through during middle school. I would strongly recommend I am the cheese to young adults, and anyone who wants a good read.

You need to read it twice

If I would have only read this book once I would have given it a 1 but because I read it twice I give it a five. It's a great book with lost of twist and turns. It's a good thing it's short so I had plenty of time to read it again because then it really opened up as an amazing book to me.

I Am The Boring Mess Of Nonsense

I Am The Cheese sounded extremely promising and the Summary on the back sounded like it would be a cool mysterious book with some action, but what you get is a repetitive mess that doesn't make sense. To me, it felt like such a waste of time and I thought to myself, "What was the point of making this book?". This book is about a boy named Adam Farmer who takes a bike and package to his father. It continuously says that he is riding to Rutterburg, Virginia over and over and over again! Occasionally something happens like some kids pushing him into a ditch. This happens for his view, but there are also tapes that come on every other chapter or so that are between him and a doctor. They too say the same thing over again about trying to remember. The worst part of it all was the ending. not only does it have a cliffhanger ending that doesn't tell you anything about what happened to his family and him, it also tells you that includes someone being insane and it might be you from reading this book. Overall, i thought this book was okay in the beginning, but it continuously drags on like Adam Farmer's dragging bike trip.

Thank You.

I am ASIAN listen to me!

This book is crazy good. It twist reality. You will not know what is real or fake. The book takes a nice childhood nursery rhyme and makes it into it own sick theme. You will feel the pain of the main character as you go on a journey with him. Get ready for the ride of your life. Your mind will be blown and twisted into a pretzel. I highly recommend this book if you like to eat cheese.

Mediocre Read!

This book is difficult to read because the author keeps going from the main character's 'reality' (Adam Farmer) and his psychiatrist's taped sessions. Adam has had a very difficult life and I think he is at the brink of insanity. His family was relocated by the government because his father was a witness in a crime and the relocation did not go well. The 'bad guys' keep trying to get more information from Adam because they think his father told him more than he did. The ending is very depressing. I won't spoil it for you, but I found it confusing and difficult to follow at times. In the beginning of the book I was very confused about the tapes because it doesn't explain them anywhere in the front of the book so I had to look it up on the internet and that helped a lot! I wouldn't really recommend this book to young readers because it is a sad book and hard to read/follow.

Top of the line Cheese!

Robert Cormier entertains us yet again with his novel I am the cheese. The book has two different stories within and each share the same character. One of the stories is about a teenage boy named Adam and his journey to Rutterburg, Vermont to deliver a package to his father. Along the way he is encountered with a few problems like mischievous kids and someone stealing his bike. During his journey he keeps talking about the matter that he should have taken his pills and that his pills would have helped him stay focused but the book never revealed the importance of the pills. The other story is about the same character, Adam, being interrogated by the government about his past. As the psychiatrist asks questions, Adam once again mentions he needs the pills to make him focus and each meeting is cut short because he is tired or can't think. In the end, they recover Adams past and find that his real name is Paul Delmonte and that his family has been hiding from killers for years. In the end of each of the stories, they reveal how they relate to each other almost as if its one big story in the end. That was the part that confused me because it was as if the story of Adam going to Vermont was just a dream. I made two conclusions, either one he was dreaming or two, he was dead because he saw everyone from his journey in the end at one big place and that's what left me wondering. Other than the ending I thought this book was very intriguing and left me wanting to turn the page until the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and action. If I had to rate this book I'd give it a 4 out of 5 because for the most part it was interesting or had action but some parts were dull and I had to force myself to keep going on. If you are looking for a good book to read in the final weeks of summer, then I suggest I am the cheese by Robert Cormier.

the best summer reading book

I am the cheese is a great book. But this book may have some twists and turns from a young kid riding his bike to his dads and a mental older boy being questioned by a doctor.In am the cheese takes place in monument, Massachusetts and Rutterburg, Vermont. While the young boy is going to see his dad in Rutterburg, Vermont he runs into some misfits with his bike and some dogs. While the older kid is in the mental hospital the doctor ask him some questions and tells him to get stuff off his mind.I am the cheese is a great book and I recommend this book for any school. If you like to hear about people getting worried you too would love this book. If you like some action and some scary parts this is the right book for you.At the end of the ride the younger kid learns that dogs are meaner then he tought.if I had to read any author I would choose Robert cormier because he is a good writer and he has the best books ever

It might be confusing, but...

This book was by far the most interesting book I have ever read. The way Robert Cormier wrote this book was like nothing I've ever read before. It jumps from a perspective of "Adam" when he's traveling through three states, (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont) and when he's in a hospital with a psychiatrist we know only as Brint. Adam needs to find his dad at the hospital, and thus starts a journey where he nearly gets ran over, he revisits some places, and has to carry a package that only he knows about. In the hospital, a doctor known to us as Brint asks Adam, (or is it someone else?...) multiple questions of his past. Adam knows what there is, but he doesn't feel like telling Brint all of it. At the end, the story all catches up with itself, and the end might be the most confusing part, but if you understand it, than you can agree it's a very different book.

A Dairy Good Book!

"I am the Cheese" is a psychological thriller by Robert Cormier. I found this book interesting because it would go from Adam telling the story to a recording of him in therapy. I love psychology so it was very interesting to see how the therapist (Brint) got information out of Adam. However, Adam fights with him every once and a while. He would get aggravated with the therapist and make them suspend from their session. I think it would've been cool if all or most of the book was written as the therapy sessions.

In the beginning, Adam is riding his bike to Rutterburg, Vermont, from Monument, Massachusetts to deliver a package to his father. Suspenseful, this package is, because they don't tell you what it is. It seems like it probably takes place in the 1950's. He loves this girl, Amy Hertz, and he insists on being more than friends. She is full of mischief and always enjoys a thriller.

Adam is having a hard time getting to Rutterburg because of many miscellaneous things-a dog blocks his way, trouble makers push him into a ditch; Poor Adam! And he's in therapy for what seems to be amnesia. When Adam is pushed into the ditch, he is unconscious for about 2 hours. AN old couple finds him and helps him. When he sees the dog (which came before the ditch), he is struck with fear. He picks up his pace and speeds by, yet the dog refuses to let him go so easily. It barks, growls, and snaps at the tires.

Most of the time the author uses the first person perspective. The language use is somewhat modern, but a little old. He uses phrases like "I have to go to the john."

I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that they have it hard or that their parents keep secrets from them. YOU HAVE NO IDEA!

The Cheese Stands Alone

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier is a realistic fiction book. I am the Cheese is a very confusing book, as it flips between two main characters: a boy riding his bike and an older boy being questioned by a doctor. The book takes place in the towns and streets including and between Monument, Massachusetts and Rutterburg, Vermont when the younger boy is the main character and a small room when the older boy is the main character.
The two boys have very different conflicts. The boy has to fight against nature and himself to ride across three states (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont) to see his father. The older boy is in a mental fight with the doctor, because while the boy is willing to cooperate to a certain level, the doctor keeps trying to get more and more out of him, which the boy resents and does not want to give out all this information. The older boy unconvincingly lies to the doctor in regard to his memory, and tells bits and pieces of the truth. The young boy frequently stops to rest and ask for directions to Rutterburg, meeting many new people.
Robert Cormier uses a very depressing and descriptive tone. Most of the book is told in the first person, except for the OZK tapes, which are told in third person limited. Even in the tapes, the older boy still uses the first person in his memories. I would suggest this book to a depressed person, because the book shows that their life is probably pretty good compared to Adam's life.

I Am the Cheese

Adam has decided to ride his bike from Monument, Massachusetts, to Rutterburg, Vermont. Throughout the book, the narratives switch from Adam telling the story in present tense, to him being interviewed, and as he is answering the questions, the narrative goes to a third- person limited point of view. Adam has another past, but it can't be remembered if Adam is to live. At the beginning of the book, Adam sets out to find his way to Vermont to see his father, but later in the book, Adam is being interrogated for the third time to make sure he remembers nothing of his past life. "I Am the Cheese" is a good book with an interesting plot, but it is very confusing. Robert Cormier could have written it better and not jumped around from narrative to narrative. The end was a bit complex and hard to understand and follow. I like how this book has a big twist at the end.

A Pretty Good Book, but Depressing

The book is very unique and the character Adam is just wonderful. The author has a creative way of writing. Though the book can be confusing if you miss out on just one sentence.
Though the book is great, it has a very depressing tone. Just thinking about the book makes me feel sad and sorrowful. No humor, though there is some slight romance between Adam and Amy.
very good book for group talks and school

YLENCIONI's Review

I read this book for a summer assignment and I had to relate it to the 7 Habits of a Successful Teen. It was a really different book. I mean, it wasn't happy, and it was very confusing. At the end I didn't think it would work for my project but after reading some sparknotes on it it made a lot more sense. I guess I liked it, I gave it four stars because it was unexpected and pretty interesting.

The Never Ending Journey

The book is told as Adam is having a conference with his psychologist Brint. Adam is a paranoid teenager who seems to be all alone in the world. During their conference, Adam tells Brint that he began an expedition from Monument, Massachusetts to Rutterburg, Vermont to find his father. Adam starts his journey in monument, Massachusetts on his bike with the bare necessities and a mysterious package for his father. Adam encounters many strange events on his journey to Vermont. This is a great book, and I highly recommend it. Most people who like to read books with unsuspected turns of events would love to read I am the Cheese.
THE CHEESE STANDS ALONE

It's cold as I pedal along, the wind like a snake slithering up my sleeves hidden past. It seems like his world is all tipsy and he knows nothing any more. and into my jacket and my pants legs, too. But I keep pedaling.. These are just some of the great things Robert Cormier can write, like I AM THE CHEESE. This book is a great read for all teenagers; it is filled with many twists and turns. It is about a boy trying to find his dad and his past. I enjoyed this book a lot I thought it was a very interesting read because there were two stories going on at the same time and by the end it all came together in a big bang. Adam is a 14 year old boy starting to find out about his family's well hidden past. Adam has many conflicts between people things and himself. People can relate to many people in many ways. Some people may be able to relate this in to way because there looking for their past. Even though this book is a bit difficult to read. I would recommend this to anyone looking to read a good book. I loved it because it was a mystery and you didn't want to stop reading because you wanted to find out what happens. This book is a good book for any teenager.