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Summary: This book chafes my apse.
Review: Chuck's inability to understand the true underpinnings of classical Renaissance revivalism is appallingly transparent when one of his characters refers to the apse of a church as the "sanctuary." Perhaps his readers can forgive such an ingracious approach to the hardfought lessons learned by architects throughout the ages, but this reader cannot. This book is unmitigated...
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Summary: gROWTH
Review: In Palahniuk's "Survivor" there are all the elements of satire in Tender Branson's account of his tale, which sucks the reader into his bizarre world. This book was a great follow up to Fight Club. It not only took fans on another wild ride, but also presented the tragedy of mind in a victim who suffers a trauma at the hands of a cult/family, which could be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of society. It is a fun and humorous book that deviates from the character of Tyler Durden and signals what can be expected of Palahniuk in the future. I loved this book for its humor, sarcasm, and interesting look at the education of youths. A great little love story, a huge dose of comedy and facts that only Chuck can deliver in prose, "Survivor" is another impressive work that should be held on to and read over and over.
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Summary: NICE..
Review: I've read all of Chuck Palahniuk's books and this is probably my favorite. Really intriguing stuff in this book. Like other Palahniuk books, you get a fist full of facts thrown at you on every single page. I now know how to get about 50 different kinds of stains out of various fabrics. Thanks, Chuck! It's really a great read.
I believe this book was to become a movie, but it didn't go because of Sept. 11. A real disapointment. Great book none the less. Go buy it, you cheapskates.
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Summary: read this book
Review: I wasn't sure what I was really getting into with this book. Shortly after it arrived, I couldn't put it down. As mythical as is seems at times, the story is completely believeable. Chuck enters into several different realms in the book, which make you question existence, religion, and the world in general. What is so shocking though to think about is that religon is made and sold to us everyday, this story could happen. There are times when you don't understand why Tender Branson puts himself through what he does in the book, and times when you can relate to him completely. He is a modern day hero. This is an excellent read.
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Summary: what did i miss?
Review: This is a pretty good book. it's not quite as good as his others but is still a great read. my only problem is that i feel that i missed something in the ending. Lots of reviews have described it as some twist shocker ending and I think i missed it. What was the "escape" Tender had to find in the end? I don't mean to be dense but i don't get it...
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Summary: Don't read the synopsis
Review: Fight Club is a fine film and my only previous exposure to Chuck Palahniuk but it hardly compares to this brilliant novel by the same author. Importantly, I'm glad I knew nothing about this book prior to reading it since it's so involving, unpredictable and immediately engaging that the less you know beforehand the better. A thought-provoking read that is a cohesive mix of depression, witty humour, hope and desperation that will appeal to people of any preference.
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Summary: Not at all like the TV show, which is good
Review: this is def. my second favorite book of his. Tender branson is ... words cannot describe how tender is. the ending is a complete surprise. tho when u read it, it doesn't seem like a surprise.
this book is an awesome read. from his education in the creedish cult to his rise to fame to his fall from fame, it is very well written and surprisingly true.
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Summary: Potentially the strangest book I've ever read!
Review: If you researched relegious cults, automated airplanes, suicide hotlines, clairavoyant woman, the statistical manual of mental disorders, genocide, televangilism, various trailor homes,agents& managers scattering amidst overnight sucess, arranged marraiges, botox, teleprompters, brainwashing, morgues, porn filled land fills, and religious fanatacism, then dumped theese ingredients into a satirical blender along with a healthy dose of psylocybin you might get an idea of what this book is about. Along this psychedellic journey the reader(s)really gets to step into the mind of a truly excentric/isolated person making one realise that 1) The central character is one of the strangest yet provacative people you've ever delt with and 2)This very character and the scenarios that transpire all originated inside Chuck Palahniuk's odd little bubbling brain. (Art Bell and C.P would make for a great interview!) The short chapters burst at the seems with so much ridiculiousness that putting the book down just isn't even an option.Not to mention the jabs taken at Hollywood& Religion never stop and before it's all said and done laughing outloud and saying "what the (heck) is going on?" are just a couple of the reactions you'll have.
Given all the sickness, it's the underlying plausability combined with C.P's narration that ties it all together. If you thought Fight club was great you'll need to wear diapers for this one. Ya just gotta get it.
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Summary: Surviving This Life
Review: Then again, Chuck Palahniuk wrote another of his unconventional novels. I'm not talking that it starts in page 289 and chapter 47 and goes to 1. I'm talking about his thematic and the approach he uses to his characters. As in Fight Club nothing here is for sure, his world is sureal, his people outsiders. Survivor is the story of Tender Branson. He is the only survivor of the Creedish Death Cult. He's spent his simple and insignificant live easily. Nor great problems, neither exciting things. He was programmed to work for people as a slave somehow, doing houseworks. His life becomes upside down in the moment he realizes he is the only surviving member of the cult. Along with a woman, who has psychic powers he becomes a celebrity. But expect the unexpected. All in all, this is Palahniuk's world. People who enjoyed his other novel, like Fight Club and Invisible Monsters, will adore this one. Everything is here again: catching plot, an outsider protagonist, smart sentences, quick dialogue. Many people complain that his novels are over and over the same thing. Well, it maybe true, but, in my opinion, it is the same GOOD thing all the time. There is no middle term: either you love, or you hate. And , in my case, the word is love. I feel smart reading his sentences. I feel that he deeply undertands my generation, our fears and expectations. He knows how to put down in word what we like and what we loath, whitout giving a lecture. I can't say I recommed his novels to everyone -- despite I love them. But he is too visceral for some people. To strong for some hearts & stomachs. But people who like him will have a great time with Survivor. It is an easy read, but not easy to forget.
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Summary: A dark look at religion, life, and love
Review: In Survivor, Palahniuk show's that people think of god as nothing more than a tool used to satisfy their own needs. Palahniuk makes a man marketable to the world by pumping him full of steroids, undergoing surgery to alter facial features, and saying yes to everything. Survivor shows that people are in control of nothing in their lives, the future has been planned, there are no wrong moves. Palahniuk put's life in a different, darker, perspective, and I loved reading about it. Survivor is a great read that makes you think twice about what you think is beautiful, the things you see on television, and what you are reading.
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