Choke, by Chuck Palahniuk, is a powerful and hilarious novel that delves into the addictive nature of sex, the terrors of aging, and the absurdities of modern life. Victor Mancini, an antihero for our deranged times, concocts a cunning scam to pay his mother’s elder care: pretending to choke on pieces of food in upscale restaurants, he lures patrons into saving him and providing financial support. Away from his scheme, Victor frequents sexual addiction recovery workshops, spends time with his senile mother, and works at a colonial theme park. The NEW YORK TIMES heralds it as a testament to Palahniuk’s “sheer, anarchic fierceness of imagination,” making Choke a raw and vital read that resonates deeply with readers.