Cormier, Robert. I Am the Cheese. New York: Laurel Leaf Books, 1977.
At home, I didn't wave goodbye to anybody. I just left. Without fanfare. I didn't go to school. I didn't call anyone. I thought of Amy but I didn't call her. I woke up this morning and saw an edge of frost framing the window and I thought of my father and I thought of the cabinet downstairs in the den and I lay there, barely breathing, and then I got up and knew where I was going. But I stalled, I delayed. I didn't leave for two hours because I am a coward, really...But at the same time, I knew I would go. I knew I would go the way you know a stone will drop to the ground if you release it from your hand.
The world in this novel is muddled, confused, much like in Adam's mind. It's difficult to figure out where each story fits in time. Is he talking the the doctor (or is he a doctor?) before he goes to see his father? Where are his parents, anyway? And where is Adam, for that matter? We don't know. All we know is that we are pedaling, pedaling to Rutterburg, Vermont, and it is essential that we get this package to his father, and figure out what has happened on the way, if we possibly can.
The story is so passionate. The little stories and clues fit together so well, and build up such an incredible feeling of suspense. It’s as though you’re compelled to turn the page. The character is shy and sensitive without being annoying, which can be difficult to do. The prose is just beyond description. There are a few things we never discover, possibly because Adam will never discover it, and that bothered me. After a quest for answers, I feel like I deserve more than I got. On the other hand, the journey is well worth it.
At home, I didn't wave goodbye to anybody. I just left. Without fanfare. I didn't go to school. I didn't call anyone. I thought of Amy but I didn't call her. I woke up this morning and saw an edge of frost framing the window and I thought of my father and I thought of the cabinet downstairs in the den and I lay there, barely breathing, and then I got up and knew where I was going. But I stalled, I delayed. I didn't leave for two hours because I am a coward, really...But at the same time, I knew I would go. I knew I would go the way you know a stone will drop to the ground if you release it from your hand.
The world in this novel is muddled, confused, much like in Adam's mind. It's difficult to figure out where each story fits in time. Is he talking the the doctor (or is he a doctor?) before he goes to see his father? Where are his parents, anyway? And where is Adam, for that matter? We don't know. All we know is that we are pedaling, pedaling to Rutterburg, Vermont, and it is essential that we get this package to his father, and figure out what has happened on the way, if we possibly can.
The story is so passionate. The little stories and clues fit together so well, and build up such an incredible feeling of suspense. It’s as though you’re compelled to turn the page. The character is shy and sensitive without being annoying, which can be difficult to do. The prose is just beyond description. There are a few things we never discover, possibly because Adam will never discover it, and that bothered me. After a quest for answers, I feel like I deserve more than I got. On the other hand, the journey is well worth it.
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