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[side_show]

I just read this book, and it is one of the few books I feel fall into the "total garbage" catagory. 

[AugustWest]

I'm of mixed feelings about Chuck Palahniuk.  He is capable of some interesting cultural analysis, and he can write an interesting recursive plotline.  But I think he's gotten a little too fascinated with shock value for it's own sake.

I just read Invisible Monsters and found it just about worthless.  I liked Choke a little better.  I don't have a problem with the shock value stuff he puts in his books.  SEX!  VIOLENCE!  DRUGS!  SUICIDE!  I'm no prude.  But there has to be some actual plot and character development in there with it, otherwise it's just boring.

[Pimp_skitters]

    I don't have a problem with the shock value stuff he puts in his books.  SEX!  VIOLENCE!  DRUGS!  SUICIDE!  I'm no prude.  But there has to be some actual plot and character development in there with it, otherwise it's just boring.

   You know, I've never read this author but your description sounds like the reason I find myself reading very little modern literature...
   Of course, if you go all the back to Roman literature you run into the same problem, so maybe these things go in cycles.

[side_show]

See, I suppose I'm pretty numb to that sort of stuff, since none of it really crossed my radar as "shock value."  The reason I didn't like it was because I felt that it was basically written in ready-to-translate-to-film format, and also the the twist at the end was so much like Fight Club that I just couldn't be bothered.  If I want to see a movie, I go see a movie.  If I want to read a book, I want to read a book, ya know?

[AugustWest]

The reason I didn't like it was because I felt that it was basically written in ready-to-translate-to-film format, and also the the twist at the end was so much like Fight Club that I just couldn't be bothered.  If I want to see a movie, I go see a movie.  If I want to read a book, I want to read a book, ya know?

Yeah, that too.

[linnea]

I've never read Paklahniuk, but thanks for the heads up -- it doesn't sound like I'm missing anything.

[slink]

I like him.
Despite the nastiness you can find in some of his writing, there is also some real beauty, and it's so much about the interpersonal, character stuff... I tend to describe him as a modern Douglad Coupland. I'm not alone, I know a few people who enjoy his books, including my mother.
I would recommend Survivor, followed by Lullaby before any of his other work. Though Diary I enjoyed, despite it being pretty fucked up.

[Doc]

I was just about to ask about Lullaby, I've never read his stuff (besides fight club) but I've had lullaby recommended to me before.

[AugustWest]

I would recommend Survivor, followed by Lullaby before any of his other work.

Haven't read either of those, so I'll try them.  Fight Club was great, and I did think Choke had some redeeming value.  I'm not dismissing the guy, just commenting on what I'd noticed about the last two of his novels I'd read.

[theinevitable]

Lullaby was pretty cool. Fight Club was awesome. But, um, yeah. I get grossed out by his facts.

[KeithHernandez]

I thought Fight Club was horrible, but I loved Diary.  I have no desire to ever read anymore of his books, but if I like come across one I guess I would read it.