Rating:  Summary: Books that are invisible Review: Personally I think every Palahniuk novel offers more than review can say; or what words can say even. I feel Invisible Monsters gives just as much, or even more than both Fight Club & Survivor. I say this because I hear comments on the board such as: "Everything in Invisible Monsters is exaggerated, unnrealistic, and takes everything too fare." Chuck is a hyperbolic writer people. You could say every book he's written is exaggerated and displayed in unnrealistic fashion; but that's not the point. I once heard a quote from Chuck. When an interviewer asked him why he wrote about such outrageous situations and crazy people he said, "I don't write about outrageous people is crazy situations, I write about normal people in normal situations." Chucks right! His writings may be structured with a certain style, but the things he writes about aren't token to extensive heights and are by no means, crazy or exaggerated. Invisible Monsters hit me the hardest and offered just as much as any other book he's written. Also, every time I read one of Chucks books, my admiration only grows for his depth. It seems as if lots of people didn't like Invisible Monsters, calling it inferior to his earlier books. Hey, whatever floats your boat, but Chucks books aren't all that different from each other, yet they are that different from each other. My point being, it's hard for me to beleive that someone despises Invisible Monsters and loves Survivor and Fight Club. I can't wait for Choke! Chuck, you rock my world! Live on, write on!
Rating:  Summary: JUST PLAIN GREAT Review: I am a big fan of Chuck Paluhniak, and all of his novels always blow me away, but none so much as "Invisible Monsters." I guessed the surprise ending of "Fight Club" about half-way through the book. Actually, I thought to myself, "no way, that's too wierd." That was when I was a Paluhniak novice and had no idea just how wierd it could get. Not to say that I was disappointed with "Fight Club" - because the book stays with you even after the movie has come and gone before your eyes. I dug "Survivor" for it's blatant disregard for social awareness but, man, "Invisible Monsters" knocked me over. I was so enthralled with Chuck's writing style - it was almost irratic. The words, the sentence structure, the page layout - it was all anarchy. This novel was anything but unconventional. I can see a lot of "Fight Club" still kicking around Chuck's head, and that's because this was the first book he wrote and it was turned down by the publisher. The Brandy Alexander drag-queen character is Tyler Durden on estrogen, and in this one our narrator has a name but she doesn't speak. I liked that, our protagonist who is mute, so really, she was just an observer. Chuck layed it all on really thick and, while I called one of the twists thinking, "oh, here we go, another lame shock", he throws a few more out of left field that just knock you upside the head. Chuck Paluhniak is the new Hemingway, the new Kerouac, the new Bret Easton Ellis - and while "Invisible Monsters" is inferior to "Fight Club" and "Survivor" - it's one of those books you wish you wrote and you have to live with that for the rest of your life.
Rating:  Summary: very original, very funny, and very descriptive... Review: Dude the best way to start this review is to say that ChuckP. is the man! he can write like no other human can. he has thoselittle sayings that just make you think about your whole self being. Ex. "It's a hundred generations removed from anything original, but the truth is aren't we all?" it makes you want to go..."YEAH!" Jump to the story. it starts out at the end. a dyeing woman asks another, "how did we get here?" then the story starts. like Palahniuk describs don't expect this to a story like "then this happens then that" it jumps around randomly. a beauty queens gay dead brother dies of aids, she gets mangled in a car wreak, she finds another beauty queen to hang out with and you find out what happens inbetween... i'm not going to be like the other reviewers,"fight club" this and "Survivor" that and not like the other two he's written. everything Chuck has written has been some what different then the other. I've read all three. i'm very impressed by his work. i can wait to see what this man writes next.
Rating:  Summary: A worthy third novel Review: While not in the class of his earlier two works Invisible Monsters can stand on its own as a quality piece of fiction.The story and plot will keep you guessing until the shocking conclusion. I like the way he makes you think about what is going on in the story and not just "telling" it. It is definately a must read because you will never read a story quite like this. If you thought Fight Club was "weird" wait until you finish this one.
Rating:  Summary: A mind-blowing trip Review: Like most people, I bought this book immediately after reading Fight Club, expecting a certain kind of book. While drag queens and transsexualism aren't everyone's cup of tea, this book has it all. Lust, revenge, and Chuck Palahniuk's brilliant satiric style. With an ending that promises to blow you away. It will leave you turning pages until 3 A.M just to get through it. Bravo, Chuck
Rating:  Summary: Cut the clutter; hire an editor Review: Chuck's recent surge of popularity seems to coincide with the poor editing of this book. It's way too long at almost 300 pages and a tad repetitive in parts, although I know that's part of Chuck's style. Almost any reader must agree, though, that the `flash' and `jump' transitions crop up when Chuck has little new to say. If Chuck doesn't use those worn-out and eventually cliched transitions he'll just run down the list of hormones and painkillers available at your local phararmacy. A tight 200-250 pages would have made this a gem but the book is padded with needless scenes and conversations we've heard before. The characters are strangely endearing (a staple for the author) and I did finish it so it earns three stars. Not Fight Club, but not terrible, either. I hope he lives up to his potential next time.
Rating:  Summary: Not as good as fight club or survivor, but still good Review: I read fight club and loved it, so i picked up this book next. This is an great book, interesting characters, good plot (+ twists), ect.. yet it didn't quite live up to what i was expecting. When I was reading it i got the point where i thought it was a little long for its own good. Nevertheless, its an entertaining novel. well worth reading.
Rating:  Summary: Offbeat, charming, frustrating, and altogether unique. Review: As a huge fan of Fight Club, I was anxious to get my hands on this book. I was not disappointed. The central characters are as uniquely original as those in Fight Club, and in my opinion, Palahniuk has sharpened his storytelling ability to a dizzyingly sharp point. And for those of you who loved the twists Palahniuk took in Fight Club - have no worries. There are enough twists in this novel that you'll have whiplash and crossed eyes by the time you finish. I very eagerly await more books from Palahniuk. What a genius!
Rating:  Summary: About as entertaining as bad books get. Review: Palahniuk's third novel is easily his worst. No one disputes it (not that nobody likes it; it has it's fans). It starts out with a huge bang and never quiets down. It's never boring and oftentimes great. It's problem is the story. There isn't much plot. Basically just a bunch of twists (there are many more twists than in Fight Club, and they're just as surprising, but they're not nearly as good, some of them work against it this time) and a lot of characterization spliced up quite well. It works best when there isn't a plot, just a tight situation and a few good characters. Like always, Palahniuk has a message, but you've heard this one all before (though I'm sure a little less twisted). Palahniuk's sense of humor is still in tip-top shape. So that's good. All in all this is a very mixed book. I'd call it bad before I call it good, but I'll give it three stars because this is an interesting failure.
Rating:  Summary: Very fast-paced story. Review: I read this book in 1 day. Every page played like a movie and had a few good surprises towards the end that I didn't see coming. This would make a great black-comedy film to go see in the theater. If you love dark humor and a fast paced read check this book out!
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