Cormier, R. (1977). I am the cheese. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0-394-83462-3. 234 pp.
A young man is traveling on his bike from Monument, Massachusetts to Rutterburg, Vermont to visit his father in a hospital and tells of his adventures on this day and a half trip. At the same time, an interview is revealed between the young man, Adam, and his questioner, Brint, in an attempt to help Adam recover his memory. However, the interview and the bike trip are not quite what they seem to be and reveal odd circumstances and details. Thus, a mystery unravels explaining Adam’s true reality.
Critical Analysis
This book has three fascinating stories happening simultaneously. Adam tells a first person narrative about his bike ride to see his father in a hospital in Vermont. There is also an interview interspersed within the bike ride story as Adam attempts to regain his memory. Finally, the interview reveals a third person account of Adam’s memories that occur throughout the interview. The three stories come together beautifully to reveal an exciting mystery about Adam and his family. As the novel reveals bits and pieces of events and memories, the reader becomes uneasy and aware that something is not quite right. The whole truth of the story is not found until the very end. This novel is suspenseful and a definite page-turner. The only weakness is wanting to know more about the interviewer, and his true intentions and goals. However, the story is solid without knowing such details because the author’s true intent is to center on Adam and his experiences.
This mystery goes beyond having the need to figure out the true story behind Adam’s life events. It deals with issues such as fears, the cruelty that exists in the world, and trusting others. Adam is no stranger to these things, but he does not let them deter him from his goals of getting to his father or remembering his past.
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