Chuck Palahniuk's 'Choke'

by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio

This weekend the film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel "Choke" hits movie screens around the country.

It's a raunchy story about Victor, a sex addict who makes a living by choking in restaurants and then getting the people who save him to send him money.

St. Paul, Minn. — In 2002 Chuck Palahniuk talked to MPR's Euan Kerr about the novel, and his earlier success "Fight Club."

Palahniuk's work often deals with the darker side of life. Indeed Victor himself believes he is a horrible person. He goes to sex addicts anonymous meetings, but usually just to meet women. He has made passes at almost all the female staff caring for his mother who is in the latter stages of dementia.

He has also become so good at the choking scam he can pick out the best victim even as he stumbles around a restaurant clutching his throat.

However Palahniuk told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr ultimately Victor just wants to belong.