Chuck Palahniuk

[tunacake]

I'm surprised there isn't a thread about this dude yet. I haven't read all of his books yet but I'm a huge fan.

My favorite book so far is probably Survivor, I think I liked this one even more than Fight Club. One of my favorite parts was the ending, but after the book was published Chuck released an alternate or "real" ending in which it turns out that Tender actually recorded the very end of his story while he was supposedly gone to piss into a tape recorder. When the plane was about to crash he played the recording into the black box and then grabbed a parachute and jumped to safety. Now I don't know about you guys, but I was really content with an ending where Tender went down with the plane.
Also, there is no way that anyone could have figure out Chuck's ending just from reading the book, so I was a little baffled when he came out and said that that was how he interpreted the ending. Any thoughts?

[notafan]

I love Palahniuk especially Survivor, though I personally like Fight Club better. His way of writing is so original. I just got his newest book and am pumped to read it.

[Matt]

I just picked up Snuff yesterday. Haven't read much of it yet, but I'm nerding out over the cover's typography at least.

I've got an mp3 of him reading Guts at a Barnes and Noble. It's so much better hearing him read it, emphasizing certain parts, adding pauses where I wouldn't pause while reading. Gave it a lot of extra feeling. Two people passed out while he read it. Good times.

[TheHighwaySong]

I'm not much of a reader, but when I do read, I love to read Palahniuk. I'm currently reading Haunted, but I've read Diary, Fight Club, Survivor, and Lullaby. I look forward to finishing all of his books, and picking up the newer ones. Favorite? I'd definitely have to say Survivor and Fight Club.

Guts is still the only story so far in Haunted that was the most gruesome to me. I can't let that image go from my head.

[Oofie]

I didn't really like Survivor, I can't understand why everyone seems to love it. I was really disappointed by it because I like his other stuff so much.

I've got an mp3 of him reading Guts at a Barnes and Noble. It's so much better hearing him read it, emphasizing certain parts, adding pauses where I wouldn't pause while reading. Gave it a lot of extra feeling.

He did a reading of it for my mum's radio show, they couldn't air it because of how graphic it is but I got a copy on CD. It's awesome.

[INTUNEevolution]

I've read Haunted, Survivor, Diary and Monsters in like the span of a month.

He is really good, combining amazing storytelling with above average writing.

I think his views on human nature are unparalleled as far as the perverseness of the mind. Yeah, Pahlaniuk is in my opinion one of the best contemporary authors.

[MSB]

I've read:

Survivor
Invisible Monsters
Choke
Diary
Haunted
Lullaby

I haven't read Fight Club because I've seen the movie a bunch of times, and I can't bring myself to buy the book. I think it might be my next purchase though, so I can do some comparing. I'm currently reading Rant, although I can't seem to get into it. I think it's the way it's written is too jumpy. It's rather confusing. :frown:

My favorite was probably Invisible Monsters. I absolutely loved the ending!

My least favorite was definitely Diary. It took me forever to read, and I felt it just unnecessarily dragged on and on.

I'm quite excited for the Choke movie that'll be out this summer!

[docmartens]

I've read Haunted, Survivor, Diary and Monsters in like the span of a month.

He is really good, combining amazing storytelling with above average writing.

I think his views on human nature are unparalleled as far as the perverseness of the mind. Yeah, Pahlaniuk is in my opinion one of the best contemporary authors.

My thoughts exactly. He generally is consistent at being just an odd author, but a good one.

[The Fetus]

He's a good writer.

I read Fight Club. It was okay, but I think I liked the movie a lot more.

I'm reading Haunted. It's great. Only on the second chapter, and it's safe to say it's the most fucked up thing I've ever read in my entire life. :D

[Kupo]

Of his stuff i've read Fight Club, Survivor and Invisible Monsters, gonna start on Lullaby when i've finished my current book (Regeneration by Pat Barker)

What i love about it is how offbeat and dissonant a lot of it is emotionally, and the emphasis on situation to the point where it becomes ridiculous but still plausable in some odd way, like the travelling in halves of peoples houses in Survivor, or the drug stealing in Invisible Monsters.

Definately worth a read if you want somethin a bit abstract like.

[tunacake]

You should label what you're spoiling, Kupo. I haven't read Invisible Monsters yet :frown:

[Kupo]

Sorry, my bad. It's not a pivotal thing within the novel plot wise, so don't get too worried like.

[The Reverend Is]

Fight Club was the only book I read by him, and I loved it a lot more than the movie, it was insane. Plus the ending is better!!
His style is awesome, I think he was influenced a little too much by the catcher in the rye though.
I mean, look at what happened last time someone got obsessed with that book...They shot John Lennon.

[Lintlicker]

I read my first Palahniuk book, Lullaby in 9th grade. We got to choose our own book for a book report and I jumped on that one. Fight Club has been my favorite movie for a few years and I was always meaning to read it and his other books. Well, ever since that project, I've read all but three Chuck books (Survivor, Fugitives and Refugees, and now Snuff) and I've thoroughly loved them all. He's got a great style and makes for an entertaining read.

[Shmuh]

Right now I'm reading Rant. It's pretty fuckin' awesome so far, very Palahniuk-y. I also own Fight Club and Haunted, although I'm finding it hard to read Haunted. It's kind of hard to follow, and some stories are just kind of story. Love "Guts" though.

Also, Choke is an amazing book. He's definitely my favourite author.

[Beven]

The only thing I've read by him is "Fight Club". All in all i think i like the book better, except for the ending. The ending in the book seemed to be to... I don't really know how to put it, but the ending of the movie was bad ass.

[Lintlicker]

The only thing I've read by him is "Fight Club". All in all i think i like the book better, except for the ending. The ending in the book seemed to be to... I don't really know how to put it, but the ending of the movie was bad ass.I personally like both, but even Chuck himself said that he likes the movie ending better.

[Prawnatron]

I loved Fight Club, but I agree with The Fetus, the movie was better.

[faintestofhearts]

Right now I'm reading Rant. It's pretty fuckin' awesome so far, very Palahniuk-y. I also own Fight Club and Haunted, although I'm finding it hard to read Haunted. It's kind of hard to follow, and some stories are just kind of story. Love "Guts" though.

Also, Choke is an amazing book. He's definitely my favourite author.

Rant and Choke were so good! And stick with Haunted if you haven't already. Some of the stories may be a little tiresome to get through, but they do all go together. :)

He is definitely my favorite author too. I can't wait to get his new book!

[illustriousaffliction]

I have not read Fight Club, or even seen the movie yet. =/ I have, however, read Lullaby, Invisible Monsters, Haunted, and Choke. I want to read them all by the end of the summer, they're the most messed up books I've ever read. :D Especially Haunted, holy crap. Choke was my favorite (Seriously, going to a sex addicts meeting to get action? Genious.), but now it's between that and Haunted. Actually, it's pretty much whatever one I read most recently. He is one of my favorite authors.

Guts is still the only story so far in Haunted that was the most gruesome to me. I can't let that image go from my head.

Oh god, I know. That image just pops into my head all the time. D:

[BKS]

I've only read Fight Club, so my question to you guys is, what is his best book?

[tunacake]

Fight Club is always a good first choice, but my favorite is definitely Survivor.

[Maverick]

I would suggest Lullaby. Similar to Fight Club, and you can't put it down.

[tunacake]

Lullaby is one that I haven't read yet. I'll probably read that after I finish Snuff.

[Fledge]

Lullaby is actually one of the only ones I didn't like. I'm in love with Invisible Monsters and Survivor though. Rant was pretty excellent too.

[KtotheT]

I've read fight club, choke, rant, and invisible monsters. Invisible monsters has been my favorite so far. I love his writing style.

[stanley]

I just got Rant today for my plane ride to Italy tomorrow (well, in like 3 hours). I've been on a big Vonnegut kick recently (Cat's Cradle and Galapagos in the last 2 weeks), but I figured I should check out Palahniuk. Matt mentioned Rant to me the other night and that's what popped into my head when I saw the Palahniuk novels on the shelf at WHSmith. I've read FC before, but I'd like to try some more of his novels.

[tunacake]

I've just finished Snuff. All I can say is that he's done it again. I loved whole four different perspectives thing. I'm not going to say much more, I'll save it for the book club if it gets chosen.

[Lintlicker]

I would suggest Lullaby. Similar to Fight Club, and you can't put it down.Lullaby's my favorite. Not exactly sure why. It might be because it was my first Chuck book, but it's great (to me) regardless.

[FA5TeddyFEL5ON]

I've read Choke, Survivor, Fight Club, Lullaby, Invisible Monsters, Diary, and Snuff. I love every single one. I love his writing style, The way he repeats phrases, skips around details... It's like he just wrote what was in his head and never edited it, it sounds so natural. But the one book of his I can't read enough times is Choke. I hope the movie does it justice. Chuck is the only author who's books are so different, but you still love every single one. (I love all the random little facts he adds in books)

[Triple J]

I think that after I've seen Fight Club it completely butchers how I picture the book so then I think I may pick up Snuff, I saw it at my local bookstore.

[Derelict]

I think when most people see the name Chuck Palahniuk the first thing they think of is Fight Club. It's awesome, though, because both the book and the movie are so well done that everyone loves them. It's the only book of his I've read, actually.

[FA5TeddyFEL5ON]

Everyone should read at least one Chuck Palahniuk book.

[gizzalove]

I'm not a reader at all. The only time I read a book and finish it is when I'm forced to in school. But last weekend I bought Snuff on a whim and I really like his writing style. When I finish it I'm going to read fight club.

[KtotheT]

I just finished Lullaby and it made me incredibly sad, but its so good.

[FA5TeddyFEL5ON]

I think one of my favorite experiences is when I went to one of Chuck's book signings. He's such a nice guy, and he has the funniest/craziest stories. Hes just so dynamic and so brilliant. If you think hes great just from his books, you will be surprised at how cool he is in person.

[Roxi]

I'm sorry, and I know everyone's going to hate me for saying this, but I can't stand him.

I read Haunted, which people have told me since probably shouldn't have been my first Chuck book, and I absolutely hated it.

I'm thinking of giving him a second chance by reading Fight Club though.

[stfu]

I think he's an amazing author.
I'm a big reader, and sometimes I'll actually read one of his books while reading a larger one by a different author.

I picked up Snuff a week ago from a local bookstore and it was fantastic.

[Ramirez23]

His work sounds really interesting, and I'm definitely looking for a good novel to read. Can anyone give me a suggestion on which book by him I should read first?

[tunacake]

Fight Club is definitely a good starter and what most people read first. Survivor and Choke would be good to start out with too.

[LolWutUSayinWillis]

Ah, I have "Haunted" sitting on my bookshelf right now.

I really liked Fight Club, a lot.

So, judging by what I'm reading here, I should start "Haunted"? Yes?

[tunacake]

Sure, if you've got it. I actually just started reading that one today. Nearly puked all over the bed after 'Guts'. It was awesome.

[FA5TeddyFEL5ON]

I almost threw up after "Guts" too. I heard a bunch of people actually passed out when he read it out loud at a book signing. Thats powerful writing...