Rating:  Summary: Another Winner From A New Author Review: Chuck Palahniuk has only been in the game for a few years, and since his stunning novel Fight Club was released and later turned into a major motion picture; things have only been looking up for him. He has spawned three seperate novels, and Survivor is no exception to his excellence as a talented writer. It tells the life story of a man whom "escaped" a cult targeted by the media, as he pilots a hi-jacked airplane towards his imminent doom. He includes every detail of his meaningless, yet intriguing existence and offers a darkly humorous look at the society in which Americans take pride in. Although arguable the subtext, the context is that which most will agree and relate with. A short read with a great theme and it should not be taken for granted; I suggest that everyone with the means to do so should read it.
Rating:  Summary: Shockingly realistic portrayal of society from the bottom Review: I was not an avid reader, Survivor changed that; It gave me inspiration and a feeling of being alive that I haven't had in a while. Survivor is a vividly painted picture of the exploitation and corruption that has eaten away the heart of traditional America. While amusing and engaging, Survivor delivers deep seeded messages of societal darkness and the struggle of the modern man against the constant pressure of society. Read this book.
Rating:  Summary: "Empty and soul-less. I hoped for more." Review: This is the third Palahniuk novel I've read, and sadly, the worst. The first half of the book focuses on the slave-labor existence of Tender Branson (the main character). His life as an unimportant drone member of The Creedish, (a cult) requires him to work as a slave for a wealthy couple. He cleans their fine home as well as prepares their meals. The strange thing is, however, he never meets them. He is required to account for all his actions to a social worker, who is also an alcoholic. He dresses in shabby work clothes and chops his hair with pruning shears. One interesting aspect of this book is all of the cleaning and cooking advise he gives to correlate with the story. Anyway, not to get sidetracked, Tender also has his own suicide hotline, except instead of talking people out of taking their own lives he tells them to kill themselves. One poor victim just happened to be the brother of a girl Tender becomes interested in. This adds a new twist to an already twisted tale. One of the requirements in being a member of the Creedish faith is that the member must commit suicide, which Tender totally intends to do eventually. As the book goes on, the population of the Creedish religion dwindles till Tender is the only known living member. The media gets wind of this fact and has a heyday. Suddenly Tender is a superstar. He becomes a TV evangalist, is on commercials, has his own product line, well you get the gist. Tender is constantly flying around the country as part of his famous lifestyle. In a flight to the south pacific Tender decides to perform his suicide mission into the outback territory of Australia. This part of the story is made known at the first of the book. In fact to make my review a little bit more comprehendable? The first page of this book is actually the last. I realize this review may absolutely make no sense at all to you, the reader. But basically, this book is about the same. I've read Fight Club, Choke, and Survivor. I enjoyed them in the same order. While it's true, this book does leave a lasting impression, with me it wasn't a good one.
Rating:  Summary: SURVIVOR ROCKS!!! Review: How would it feel like to live with a sense of purpose and then, when the moment of destiny comes, one begins to think twice about it? This was the question "Survivor" brought to me. Tender Branson, brainwashed by the Creedish cult, was living happily being an all-purpose servant to the outside world. Then, the time came when he was supposed to kill himself his life with the Creedish he's always been. The problem is, his past is deeply embedded within him. No matter how hard he tries to take advantage of and ridicule his past, he can't get away from it. How often do we really look back at our past and reflect on it? Well Tender was provided a golden opportunity to do that and he took it. "Survivor" showed me how choices can't be made with just a specific circumstance as basis. Tender's past made it impossible for him to choose the way he lived, the way he dealt with his problems, and most importantly, the way he interacted with people. And Tender eventually made a choice. He looked back and told his story for the world to hear. Chuck Palahniuk has written an awesome novel here. (Like Fight Club, I really hope that this will also be made into a movie) This is one book which made me look at myself and start evaluating how I view things (and only very few books make me do that). I urge you to go and read it. You'll have a better sense and appreciation of how the beginning is a reflection of the end.
Rating:  Summary: Better than Fight Club? I think so. Review: Chuck Palahniuk's follow-up novel to his cult classic, Fight Club, takes Palahniuk's view of the media and celebrity, rolls it into a compressed ball and then hits you between the eyes like a 100mph fastball. Survivor is the story of Tender Branson, last living member of the Creedish Death Cult. Under near 24 hour suicide watch, Tender slaves away as a housekeeper for the epitome of the filthy rich. Things start taking a turn for the worse (of course) and soon Tender is propelled into the media storm surrounding his "surivivor" status. Forced to reconcile his religion and his new found celebrity, Tender chooses a path that leads to some of the most incredible scenes I've ever read in a novel. If not a superior novel than Fight Club, at least a worthy successor.
Rating:  Summary: One kooky book. Review: There was a period of two weeks when I read all of Chcuk Palahniuk books. This one was by far my favorite. I'm not writer, or a man that studies literature, but I really enjoyed just about every aspect of this book: from the characters, to the plot to the overall flow of the story. I've always enjoyed stories of the nihilist finding meaning in our crazy world, but what I enjoyed most about this book was the reason our protagonist was a nihilist. It's too bad that the author hasn't really gone outside this formula on any of his other books. But this is quick, fun read. And unless you're offended by religious satire, I'd say, "hey, check it out."
Rating:  Summary: nihlism only goes so far Review: So you say you loved Fight Club, both the movie and the book? And you want more?Well, you think you want more. After reading this book, you'll realize that Chuck Palahniuk delivered exactly what he told you to expect: more nihlism and confusion leavened with a bit of cleverness (both in plot and dialogue)...but like the sixth or so childhood Haloween candy bar, you soon realize that you're not satisified, you're just feeling queasy.
Rating:  Summary: Palahniuk tops Fight Club Review: I didn't think it was possible for Chuck to top his first book Fight Club, but i think he did so with Survivor. I recently watched the fight club movie and it has since become my favourite, so i decided to go out and buy the book. I read the book and thought it was absolutely excellent. It really makes the reader think about materialism, and the other issues brought up in this book. I liked it so much i went out and bought the rest of his novels, including a signed copy of his newest Choke. I read Survivor on a plane if you can believe and thought it was one of the best books ever written. It's thought provoking and makes us look at the world and fame in a different light. It was also original in the way that both the chapters and the page numbers were like a countdown. The 'stairmaster' chapter has to be my favourite chapter in the book. It was just so wonderful and insightful. This is a great book with an thought-provoking and original plot. And Chuck continues to be one of the newest great writers of today.
Rating:  Summary: Palahniuk ROCKS!!!!!!! Review: I first came across Chuck's works when I saw the movie Fight Club. The dramatic work drew me into Chuck's world and from then I have been a keen fan. Survivor is another work that shows Chuck's genius. Although this work is written for entertainment, and he does a great job of this by drawing the reader in with an riveting plot that takes the reader in for a hard-core ride to the very last page; he also is able to use his writing to make some important social statements. The realistic look at how our society truly is, and how some people who may be considered as unacceptable live is an eye opener. But cutting out all the talk, just pick up this book and strap down your seat belt and get ready for a ride!!!!
Rating:  Summary: Dude......... Review: I was amazed by this book. I watched Fight Club a million times (seriously) so I read the book this summer, which was even better. I decided to read a Palahniuk Book before it had been spoile in the movie theaters, that is probably why I liked Survivor even better. It's filled with the same emotionaly disturbed but loveable characters, and literary middle fingers to modern society as would be expected from Fight Club, but only this time they're more outrageous and unpredictable. So hitch a ride on a moveing house on a flatbed truck, hijack a 747, or just take a stairmaster up and endles imaginary stair well, and get this book.
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