Rating:  Summary: Great First Half Review: A middle accomplishment for Palahnuik. This story delivers a tremendous opening half; setting a tale of a man whose existence is defined in everyway by death and work. What a man wants when all that grounds him is lost is everything. Because nothing matters. It is existence in a void. The book drags in the second half and feels a little disjointed. The female character goes from mysterious to omniscient (boring) in an act of contrivance. Powerful ending helps a little. Still, a great read, just not on par with Choke or Fight Club.
Rating:  Summary: A great satire Review: I picked this book up after being addicted to the Fight Club movie for a few months. I really liked the underlying themes throughout the film. While this book had many new and original ideas, it was much easier to see them. Chuck is a master at the modern satire, and proves it with this dark comedy on celebrityism. With catchy passages and a clever framework (the pages go backwards as a plane descends to an altitude of 0) Palahniuk has impressed me enough to not only re-read this novel, but pray for a movie (Jim Carrey has given thought to Tender's role). After this book, I have read all of Chuck's books, and will purchase Diary the day it is released. This is a MUST READ satire that will grip you to the end. With several twists in the story, and an intense ending of the book, it keeps you reading.
Rating:  Summary: A brilliant source for Vocabulary Review: Many authors are hollywood but Palahniuk depicts life in a different and fun sort of way. This book is not too thick but the vocabulary and brilliant sentences puts this book in its own league.
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't Put This One Down Review: Let me start off by saying that prior to this novel, I have been reading nothing but extremely intillectual books for a college class. Although I enjoy reading the classics like Crime and Punishment, I was ready to read a book that wasn't so overwhelming. This was definitely my break. This novel is impossible to put down for longer than a few minutes or hours. It tells the story of a thirty-something male housekeeper who was sold into his profession by his religious-cult family. It follows the lead character from his humble beginnings through his touch with success and fame, all the while offering thought-provoking political and social commentary that at times had me both laughing and feeling ashamed for being part of American consumer society. This was a great read, definitely for those who like a book with lots of clever surprises and mind bending changes in plot. Also, just a side note, for all of those people that criticize Palahniuk for not being creative or intillectual enough, please just stop. Appreciate a great novel for the thoughts and feelings that it evokes instead of taking stabs at it because it doesn't fit snugly into your mold of what the perfect book should be. In my opinion Palahniuk should take a sea beside the great satirists like Vonnegut, Ellis, and even Amis. Wait, on second thought he'd probably refuse.
Rating:  Summary: Great Satire in a weird pensive way Review: I must admit my ignorance....I thought it was about a alternitive rock star at first that became a prepackaged lean cuisine for todays society. I was wrong but right. It was about a pre-packaged lean cusine for todays society but all wrapped up in evangelist jim and tammy PTL way. I thought the first three chapters were a little sluggish but so far all I have read from Mr. Palahnuik has been. I thought this was very thought provoking considering all the current american idol make over of everyday people, who can sing, to turn them into icons. Okay, so this book was about a kid from a cult living in the big world but not living. He was programmed to do all the things he does and hates it. Then he meets Fertility the girl who would change his mind on several things and make him question the abuse he has been enduring. Lots of self talk in this book and observations that will make you laugh and make you sad. Over all I liked it in a kooky thoughtful real people way.
Rating:  Summary: Well-Written Typical Palahniuk Review: "Survivor" by Chuck Palahniuk is the story of the survivor of a suicidal religious cult. It's the story of his journey from a pathetic victim of the cult to a pathetic victim of the world (the world being represented by his agent). It hits all the major un-politically correct issues: religion, suicide, the media frenzy, have -vs- havenots, you name it. Palahniuk has a brilliant writing style. It's as if the pace of the writing matches the pace of the story. It reeks of energy. It's chaotic at times, refined at others. But it always fits the story - perfectly. My only complaint, although minor, about "Survivor" would be the ending. Was it what I was expecting? No. Could it have been a little better? Maybe. If you liked "Fight Club" by Palahniuk (or the movie), read this book. If you like authors that aren't scared into being ordinary, read this book.
Rating:  Summary: Not bad, but not great either. Review: I was first introduced to Palahniuk after reading "Fight Club". It quickly became one of my favorite books and I would recommend it to anyone. Because I was so pleased with "Fight Club" I picked up "Survivor" in hopes of a witty and original book I could thoroughly enjoy and rave about. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find it just to be okay. There is nothing fresh and new about "Survivor". After reading it I felt it was just "Fight Club" without the humor. Even though the plot was completely different, the characters felt like the characters from "Fight Club". I was really hoping for something fresh and witty, but "Survivor" just doesn't quite deliver it. "Survivor", however, is a quick read and it will keep you entertained. But it's forgetable and doesn't leave you with much.
Rating:  Summary: wow this is pretty freaking weird..... Review: I must admit this is the first book i have read in about 3 years so it was a little much for me. I am not good with reading because i have an attention span the size of a flea. This book, however, did not leave me bored in the least bit. It has so many twists and turns that i couldnt put it down cause i was wondering what kind of crazy stuff was gonna happen next. The book works in reverse which is a little strange, but from what my girlfriend tells me about his other books it isnt that unusual. It starts at the end basically and tells you what happened to get to that point. The pages themselves actually go in reverse which is a little off, although it was kinda funny when i told me friend kevin (who doesn't come to class) that i was already on page 270 on the first day the only thing i guess i can really complain about is that sometimes the author goes off on these 2 page long rants explaining about a certain type of flower or something trivial like that. the charactor development was great though, i got a really good picture of the main charactor (tender). I would reccomend this book to anyone, its really entertaining and i didnt mind reading it (which is saying a lot).
Rating:  Summary: Well beyond expectations Review: ... Survivor was the first Palahniuk book I read. Having some time to consider the story appeals more to me. The heavily ironic and nihilistic tone of Survivor and Palahniuk's condensed style of writing are simply appealing and suited well to the plot lines that converge in Survivor. Actually the first 80 pages seemed to drag, or to put it better used more exposition than I anticipated, but once the plot was set up the book flew. As absurd as the storyline is it seems believeable. The idea of innocence, be it malignant, developed and pre-marketed for popular consumption rings so true of American society and cookie cutter heros. Palahniuk's obsession with detatched people in a hostile and ugly world, of a anti-hero destined and looking forward to death are here and in a stronger way than his other similarly themed books. Survivor reads like a film or demented television program, a writing style suited for a generation that has grown up plugged into the televison when television was considered a good thing to let the kids watch and help keep kids out of mom's hair. If you are looking for an entertaining read that happens to have several things it wants to get across and does so well Survivor is as good a place to start reading Chuck Palahniuk's work. ....
Rating:  Summary: Sick, twisted, and hilarious... Review: I refer to this book as American Pycho meets Fight Club. Brilliant, witty writing. I read it in 2 days.
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