Chuck Palahniuk

[Cena's Little Helper]

I was hoping that I would be able to get some fellow posters' opinions on Chuck Palahniuk, the author of such books as Fight Club, Choke, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Diary. I think the best way to describe him would be to say he is like Don DeLillo in style, Kurt Vonnegut in his sense of humor, and Bret Easton Ellis in his affinity for relatively offensive subject matter (e.g., anarchical pugilists, a member of a millennial and suicidal religious cult turned prophetic newscaster, mutilated former models/terrorists, etc.)

Personally, I am not a fan of his work, mainly for the fact that I do not like his short and choppy prose. However, I definitely appreciate his humor and am fascinated by what he writes about. I think the best way to explain my feelings towards him would be the following analogy. Let's say books serve as drugs. While anything by Bret Easton Ellis (my favorite author) would be like pure, uncut heroin, anything by Chuck Palahniuk would be like a morphine suppository (yes, I have read Trainspotting). That is to say, while Palahniuk's books don't give me the rush I truly desire, they definitely keep the edge off until I can my hands on some more Ellis.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I thought about making this thread at one point, but then I figured ''fuck it'' nobody will post in it.

I'm a fan. I don't like Survivor or Invisible Monsters, which I believe are two of his better reviewed books. But I like all his other stuff. I think I could be one of the only people in the whole universe who read Fight Club before the film came out. Initially I didn't get it. But that was me probably being too young for it, and the film gave me a better idea of what it was about.

I knew there was another reason I never made this thread, I have nothing to say about him. I read that much that I don't have a favorite author, and I prefer factual books. But I'd recommend Haunted for somebody who's never read any of his stuff before. Probably the easiest to like, gruesome and what-not.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I thought about making this thread at one point, but then I figured ''fuck it'' nobody will post in it.

I'm a fan. I don't like Survivor or Invisible Monsters, which I believe are two of his better reviewed books. But I like all his other stuff. I think I could be one of the only people in the whole universe who read Fight Club before the film came out. Initially I didn't get it. But that was me probably being too young for it, and the film gave me a better idea of what it was about.

I knew there was another reason I never made this thread, I have nothing to say about him. I read that much that I don't have a favorite author, and I prefer factual books. But I'd recommend Haunted for somebody who's never read any of his stuff before. Probably the easiest to like, gruesome and what-not.

Haunted is probably, in my opinion, the best Palahniuk book that I have read. Have you had the chance to read Snuff yet? It's a pretty disgusting book (pretty much alternating perspectives of three men participating in a porn queen's attempt to beat the record for the world's biggest gang bang). However, it is a short read and there are definitely some parts simultaneously cringe-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny.

I remember reading in another thread that you had read some of Iain Banks' stuff (I have only read The Wasp Factory). So, it would be interesting to know what other trangressional literature you have read (and if there are any recommendations you have...as you should be able to notice from my love of Bret Easton Ellis and my acquaintances with Palahniuk and Banks, I am a pretty avid fan of this genre). Also, what kind of factual books do you like?

Here's to hoping for some good book discussion.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Haunted is probably, in my opinion, the best Palahniuk book that I have read.

It's being made into a film. Although I think it'd be better off as a mini-series.

Have you had the chance to read Snuff yet? It's a pretty disgusting book (pretty much alternating perspectives of three men participating in a porn queen's attempt to beat the record for the world's biggest gang bang). However, it is a short read and there are definitely some parts simultaneously cringe-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny.

Yeah, nice and short. Definitely not going to to everybodys taste. But I enjoyed it. The humour is subtle, if you're ware that it's very silly it's enjoyable.

I remember reading in another thread that you had read some of Iain Banks' stuff (I have only read The Wasp Factory). So, it would be interesting to know what other trangressional literature you have read (and if there are any recommendations you have...as you should be able to notice from my love of Bret Easton Ellis and my acquaintances with Palahniuk and Banks, I am a pretty avid fan of this genre).

The Wasp Factory is my favorite book. I've read other Banks stuff, but nothing that's really intrested me. Irvine Welsh books are great, that is if you can get past the Scot dialogue. Trainspotting is probably the easiest to read as you've got the film to go off.

Also, what kind of factual books do you like?

I like reading about war crimes and stuff like that. I'm just fascinated by how fucked up some people can be.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

The Wasp Factory is my favorite book. I've read other Banks stuff, but nothing that's really intrested me. Irvine Welsh books are great, that is if you can get past the Scot dialogue. Trainspotting is probably the easiest to read as you've got the film to go off.

I thought The Wasp Factory was one of the most original and frightening books I have ever read. The only thing I hated about it was the animal cruelty; the main character's brother's penchant for setting dogs on fire (or was it cats?) really turned me off. Nonetheless, it is something very special. Have you read The Crow Road? I am contemplating whether or not I should buy this one.

Two more questions. What are your feelings on J.G. Ballard? Moreover, have you read either Morvern Callar or How Late It Was, How Late? I only ask about these books because you mentioned Irvine Welsh. I heard both of these books are quite similar to his work, yet even more "Scottish" in their language (I would say more provincial in their language, but that would be kind of awkward).