IATCE+DM

November 27,2007 Ruby
 * Mullen

__I Am The Cheese__

In Adam's (Paul's) world things aren't always as they seem. Adam doesn't know who to trust or who he should watch out for. His parents

are dead and he is unaware of where he is. Everyone he knows may be a friend or an enemy. Who can he trust with the secret

information of his past.

There are many ways you can interpret this novels purpose. I think this story was made for sheer entertainment. Just to make you think

and try to comprehend what is and will happen. Cormier must be trying to create a challenging novel, because sometimes you have to

reread just to understand what you just read. It also had a multiple story line so you really need to stay on top of things and pay good

attention while reading this novel.

There are also different possible themes that could make sense. I think some of the main themes would be "know who you can trust", or

"things aren't always the way they seem." These two themes are a projection of what Adam, or Paul I should say, delt with in his life.

Another possible theme could be "value what you have, before its gone." Adam had gone through a lot of loss as a teenager. From the

loss of both his parents to most of his memory.

I had a few connections to this novel. One main connection I had in this story was to the Farmer's, or Delmonte's, fear of dogs. I'm not

sure how they got there fear of dogs from, but my Mom is uncomfortable around dogs because she had a bad experience with a dog a

long time ago. Some scenes I thought of my Mom. Another connection I had to this story was one time my family was going on a little trip

and it was late and and I fell asleep. When we got there my Dad carried me inside of his friends houses where we would stay the night for

our trip. I had never been there before so when I woke up I didn't know where I was. I probably felt like Adam, the way he didn't know where

he was when he was in that institution. It is an odd nervous feeling. He must be very uncomfortable there.

Cormier definitly acomplished her goal of making a good book that challenges it's readers. I enjoyed it, but not everyone enjoyed the novel.

It is not the type of book that everyone will like. I definitly want to check out his other stories.