Chuck Palahniuk- The best novelist of today?
-
morgainelesad
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 17:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Chuck Palahniuk- The best novelist of today?
Hi guys I just join the site. Recently I had to do an essay on my favorite author, so here's what i came up with.
Chuck Palahniuk- The best novelist of today?
Since the Middle-Ages man had seen what the miracle of novel can do- men of words died for their rights to discuss forbidden topics, women hid their books under the pillow when the thought of an educated woman was decadent.. Even then they knew the power of imagination, of lightening the soul, of an adventure, which was not possible in real life.
Today, a person such as myself, a young woman, has the liberty to read various kinds of books, even those with an ideology and shamelessness which would a long time ago be seen as quite scandalous. No author uses this privilege than my favorite, Chuck Palahniuk, the author of novels such as “Fight Club”, “Lullaby”, “Survivor”, “Diary”, and others. His books are a splendid combination of a phenomenal, captivating idea, and a thrilling ‘moment of revelation’, with half-humorous, half-satiric remarks tucked in between by his dynamic style characterized by ‘time and location travel’. With all these attributes, he just might be the best author of today.
The ‘boundaries-pushing’ writer in each of his novel experiments the mind of the reader to see how far he can go. He intentionally literally bashes the modern American society, blaming the media, false idols and 14-hours office jobs for people excessing in luxury they do not need and having the wrong idea of values in life. His scrutiny is shameless, he doesn’t waste time on polite language, morally acceptable and conservative modesties. One of the most memorable quotes of Marla Singer (“Fight Club”, the movie) after finishing in Tyler Dirden’s bed, “I haven’t been fucked like that since Grade School” was actually an alteration by the screen writer. The original was ‘Tyler, I want to have your abortion” but they changed it on the grounds that it was too freaky for the audience. However, the novel that displays Palahniuk’s boldness the most (where, in my view, he takes on marquise de Sade) is ‘Choked’. Why? Because our anti-hero Victor Massinni is a sex addict, and the very graphic pictures of filthy toilet animal-like sex are only the beginning.
The phenomenal idea which, if you had any novelist ambitions, would keep you envious though the whole read, is present in all of his novels. One of the best ideas we can see in “Lullaby” in which a man, journalist, after several cases of sudden inexplicable deaths of babies, finds an old Native American lullaby, used to ‘put to sleep’ old men and wounded warriors in pain, in a children’s book. From that event we will discover how one reacts if possessing a power to kill, without anyone knowing, how people would take life so easily by instinct. Imagine yourself being in that situation!
The ‘moment of revelation’, usually at the end or the middle of the plot, is usually very unexpected, and even if it wasn’t, you would still stay for the ride, anxious to see it all happen. This is present in ‘Fight Club’, a miraculous moment when the main character discovers his best friend Tyler Dirden is actually his alter-ego, a schizophrenic illusion, and a very dangerous man, who he no longer has the ability to control.. Another great story moment we find in “Invisible Monsters”, where for a heroine we find an ex supermodel who ‘loses’ half her face in a car accident. Near the end of the story, she finds out that her best friend is actually her, ‘left for dead’, gay brother who turned into a transvestite. The story shows what how twisted and intelligent is a soup-opera can be when an author of this talent tries to write it.
Palahniuk style is so unique, because he combines many different elements- he frequently plays with time (‘plays’ being the only adequate word) making us go thought the journey either form the end to the beginning or, if not that, through various flashbacks of the protagonists. He is also recognized by the witty and oh so intelligent remarks, which are sometimes repetitive in order to reach us on a higher lever or to color the atmosphere. One of the most memorable quotes is “You are not your job. You’re not how much money you have it the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not you f****g khakis. You’re the all-singing, all dancing crap of the world.”, again, by Tyler. It perhaps best describes writers over-the-top comments, but also the background theme of all his stories- People should stop wasting their lives for material possessions, for fame, or immortality and try to live, but really live, and try fulfill themselves with small things, and be happy. Tyler’s ideology, as we later realize, was extreme even moving towards terrorism and communism, but only because it is provoked in the mind of the main character (‘Jack’), who is sick-minded and built up with frustration.
If all these aspects of writing are not enough for your literary taste, Palahniuk also adds a ‘road trip’ motif. It is present in “Lullaby”, “Invisible Monsters” and “Survivor”. Next to the fact that all the works are highly dynamic, the road trip really gives you the sense of motion, of a journey.. but the main idea is the spiritual journey- characters find wisdom, comfort, satisfaction, or, sometimes complete transfiguration. This happens to the hero of “Survivor,” who is a false messiah going on a tour, and gradually is more and more sicken by people of his surrounding- they are naïve, their belief delusional, their morals shattered..
For conclusion, I can have nothing else to say, only to invite all book lovers out there. If you thing you lack prejudices, have a sense of humor, love fast, dynamic adventures, enjoy pampering you mind, intriguing you sense of reason, of balance, of your character identity, than the first Chuck Palahniuk novel you take up reading might just be the wildest rollercoaster you’re mind has experienced, and a few books later you might find yourself asking the same question “Is it possible that any novel writer can top this lever of creation?” I’ve had a large success making non-novel lovers read and adore his books, and recently one of them, on having read “Choked” (which many consider to be the author’s weakest novel) said: “I didn’t like it, but I could not not finish it.” Not very convincing, I thought.
Chuck Palahniuk- The best novelist of today?
Since the Middle-Ages man had seen what the miracle of novel can do- men of words died for their rights to discuss forbidden topics, women hid their books under the pillow when the thought of an educated woman was decadent.. Even then they knew the power of imagination, of lightening the soul, of an adventure, which was not possible in real life.
Today, a person such as myself, a young woman, has the liberty to read various kinds of books, even those with an ideology and shamelessness which would a long time ago be seen as quite scandalous. No author uses this privilege than my favorite, Chuck Palahniuk, the author of novels such as “Fight Club”, “Lullaby”, “Survivor”, “Diary”, and others. His books are a splendid combination of a phenomenal, captivating idea, and a thrilling ‘moment of revelation’, with half-humorous, half-satiric remarks tucked in between by his dynamic style characterized by ‘time and location travel’. With all these attributes, he just might be the best author of today.
The ‘boundaries-pushing’ writer in each of his novel experiments the mind of the reader to see how far he can go. He intentionally literally bashes the modern American society, blaming the media, false idols and 14-hours office jobs for people excessing in luxury they do not need and having the wrong idea of values in life. His scrutiny is shameless, he doesn’t waste time on polite language, morally acceptable and conservative modesties. One of the most memorable quotes of Marla Singer (“Fight Club”, the movie) after finishing in Tyler Dirden’s bed, “I haven’t been fucked like that since Grade School” was actually an alteration by the screen writer. The original was ‘Tyler, I want to have your abortion” but they changed it on the grounds that it was too freaky for the audience. However, the novel that displays Palahniuk’s boldness the most (where, in my view, he takes on marquise de Sade) is ‘Choked’. Why? Because our anti-hero Victor Massinni is a sex addict, and the very graphic pictures of filthy toilet animal-like sex are only the beginning.
The phenomenal idea which, if you had any novelist ambitions, would keep you envious though the whole read, is present in all of his novels. One of the best ideas we can see in “Lullaby” in which a man, journalist, after several cases of sudden inexplicable deaths of babies, finds an old Native American lullaby, used to ‘put to sleep’ old men and wounded warriors in pain, in a children’s book. From that event we will discover how one reacts if possessing a power to kill, without anyone knowing, how people would take life so easily by instinct. Imagine yourself being in that situation!
The ‘moment of revelation’, usually at the end or the middle of the plot, is usually very unexpected, and even if it wasn’t, you would still stay for the ride, anxious to see it all happen. This is present in ‘Fight Club’, a miraculous moment when the main character discovers his best friend Tyler Dirden is actually his alter-ego, a schizophrenic illusion, and a very dangerous man, who he no longer has the ability to control.. Another great story moment we find in “Invisible Monsters”, where for a heroine we find an ex supermodel who ‘loses’ half her face in a car accident. Near the end of the story, she finds out that her best friend is actually her, ‘left for dead’, gay brother who turned into a transvestite. The story shows what how twisted and intelligent is a soup-opera can be when an author of this talent tries to write it.
Palahniuk style is so unique, because he combines many different elements- he frequently plays with time (‘plays’ being the only adequate word) making us go thought the journey either form the end to the beginning or, if not that, through various flashbacks of the protagonists. He is also recognized by the witty and oh so intelligent remarks, which are sometimes repetitive in order to reach us on a higher lever or to color the atmosphere. One of the most memorable quotes is “You are not your job. You’re not how much money you have it the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not you f****g khakis. You’re the all-singing, all dancing crap of the world.”, again, by Tyler. It perhaps best describes writers over-the-top comments, but also the background theme of all his stories- People should stop wasting their lives for material possessions, for fame, or immortality and try to live, but really live, and try fulfill themselves with small things, and be happy. Tyler’s ideology, as we later realize, was extreme even moving towards terrorism and communism, but only because it is provoked in the mind of the main character (‘Jack’), who is sick-minded and built up with frustration.
If all these aspects of writing are not enough for your literary taste, Palahniuk also adds a ‘road trip’ motif. It is present in “Lullaby”, “Invisible Monsters” and “Survivor”. Next to the fact that all the works are highly dynamic, the road trip really gives you the sense of motion, of a journey.. but the main idea is the spiritual journey- characters find wisdom, comfort, satisfaction, or, sometimes complete transfiguration. This happens to the hero of “Survivor,” who is a false messiah going on a tour, and gradually is more and more sicken by people of his surrounding- they are naïve, their belief delusional, their morals shattered..
For conclusion, I can have nothing else to say, only to invite all book lovers out there. If you thing you lack prejudices, have a sense of humor, love fast, dynamic adventures, enjoy pampering you mind, intriguing you sense of reason, of balance, of your character identity, than the first Chuck Palahniuk novel you take up reading might just be the wildest rollercoaster you’re mind has experienced, and a few books later you might find yourself asking the same question “Is it possible that any novel writer can top this lever of creation?” I’ve had a large success making non-novel lovers read and adore his books, and recently one of them, on having read “Choked” (which many consider to be the author’s weakest novel) said: “I didn’t like it, but I could not not finish it.” Not very convincing, I thought.
-
morgainelesad
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 17:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
Jonathan6655321
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12 Feb 2009, 13:15
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I read your essay and I want to give my opinion on chuck.
I have read three of his books, but I want to refer to one and you will see why:
I thought Fight Club changed my life.
Everything mentioned in the book was entirely different from any book I've read or movie I've seen: modern commercialism and materialism, and how modern man submits to the values forced upon him by society.
I looked into the values in "Fight club" more thoroughly and attempted to find out why this book was so appealing, but first of all, who is it appealing to?
(I looked into the teenager segment of the population, since I'm 16 and that's who I am in touch with on a daily basis.)
How I see it, today's teens can be divided into two groups:
1. The kids that are so far "down the rabbit hole" called mainstream that they do not remember their true instinctual needs and values. These are the kids who spend 7 hours a day on myspace and watching reality television, the kids who see education as a wrong thing and worship brand names.
2. The teenagers who do not take part in the so called mainstream.
What differs between the two?
independent thought and non-independent thought.
Guess what group is more likely to find fight club appealing?
The group that this book reproaches all of its values or the one that already has these values?
The group that worships mainstream or the group that excludes itself from it?
Do you see my point?
Chuck makes these values very clear, but he didn't invent anything new.
He states what is already on surface level.
Besides the values discussed, there's the very explicit content Chuck uses almost all the time. This is also a reason why his books are so appealing to teens and "outsiders". You get the feeling your doing something your not supposed to, which is extremely appealing to teenagers, and the feeling your doing something no one else is.
I think the decision of interviewing marylin manson in "non-fiction" illustrates perfectly who he thinks are his readers.
I want to believe Chuck writes the way he does because who he is and did not just find something that sells, and is milking the hell out of it (which would obviously contradict what he writes about).
He is a brilliant writer at times, but is he the best?
-Jonathan
I have read three of his books, but I want to refer to one and you will see why:
I thought Fight Club changed my life.
Everything mentioned in the book was entirely different from any book I've read or movie I've seen: modern commercialism and materialism, and how modern man submits to the values forced upon him by society.
I looked into the values in "Fight club" more thoroughly and attempted to find out why this book was so appealing, but first of all, who is it appealing to?
(I looked into the teenager segment of the population, since I'm 16 and that's who I am in touch with on a daily basis.)
How I see it, today's teens can be divided into two groups:
1. The kids that are so far "down the rabbit hole" called mainstream that they do not remember their true instinctual needs and values. These are the kids who spend 7 hours a day on myspace and watching reality television, the kids who see education as a wrong thing and worship brand names.
2. The teenagers who do not take part in the so called mainstream.
What differs between the two?
independent thought and non-independent thought.
Guess what group is more likely to find fight club appealing?
The group that this book reproaches all of its values or the one that already has these values?
The group that worships mainstream or the group that excludes itself from it?
Do you see my point?
Chuck makes these values very clear, but he didn't invent anything new.
He states what is already on surface level.
Besides the values discussed, there's the very explicit content Chuck uses almost all the time. This is also a reason why his books are so appealing to teens and "outsiders". You get the feeling your doing something your not supposed to, which is extremely appealing to teenagers, and the feeling your doing something no one else is.
I think the decision of interviewing marylin manson in "non-fiction" illustrates perfectly who he thinks are his readers.
I want to believe Chuck writes the way he does because who he is and did not just find something that sells, and is milking the hell out of it (which would obviously contradict what he writes about).
He is a brilliant writer at times, but is he the best?
-Jonathan
-
morgainelesad
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 17:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Hi Johnathan,
First of all, I am very happy that someone FINALLY replied this post, thank you for that. I was beginning to think that no one reads his books.
You made some good points, of course, but the fact is that not only teenagers are interested in his books, I am 21, my brother 24...but generally young people. This is where we share the same opinion, and the reasons for this are also very obvious.
What I didn't like about your thoughts is your generalization of teenagers, it's not so black and white as you suggested, at least you can divide them into more than 2 groups..And I'm sure that both of those u mentioned can equally find Palahniuk appealing..
Now, about that question you asked me. This was an essay, where I wrote my personal opinion, basically I wrote about my favorite author, so obviously, for me, he is the best in the world. I'm not saying it as a fact, not at all.
First of all, I am very happy that someone FINALLY replied this post, thank you for that. I was beginning to think that no one reads his books.
You made some good points, of course, but the fact is that not only teenagers are interested in his books, I am 21, my brother 24...but generally young people. This is where we share the same opinion, and the reasons for this are also very obvious.
What I didn't like about your thoughts is your generalization of teenagers, it's not so black and white as you suggested, at least you can divide them into more than 2 groups..And I'm sure that both of those u mentioned can equally find Palahniuk appealing..
Now, about that question you asked me. This was an essay, where I wrote my personal opinion, basically I wrote about my favorite author, so obviously, for me, he is the best in the world. I'm not saying it as a fact, not at all.
-
Jonathan6655321
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12 Feb 2009, 13:15
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Hey,
I didn't use teenagers because the book interests teenagers more than adults, far from it.
I used the teenager segment of the population because It is close to me, But the conclusions made can be as relevant when referred to adults.
Divisions are made in many ways. There can be made as many groups as there are people. The use of two groups in this case made making arguments easier ( but on the other hand i do seem to see things as black and white).
I was wrong when I stated that one group finds fight club appealing and the other doesn't, but the difference is on the level in which you find it appealing, whether you are interested in the values behind the actions or the actions themselves.
I have yet met a person who purchased a 200$ pair of jeans and found fight club interesting other than the fist fights, and explosions at the end of the film.
By the way I love Chuck's writing, but I hate seeing one side of an argument (argument isn't the right word here surely, in this case).
-Jonathan
PS
You seem to be more into chuck than myself, Are you familiar with any other writers that have a similar style?
And in what setting were you asked to write about your favorite author?
I didn't use teenagers because the book interests teenagers more than adults, far from it.
I used the teenager segment of the population because It is close to me, But the conclusions made can be as relevant when referred to adults.
Divisions are made in many ways. There can be made as many groups as there are people. The use of two groups in this case made making arguments easier ( but on the other hand i do seem to see things as black and white).
I was wrong when I stated that one group finds fight club appealing and the other doesn't, but the difference is on the level in which you find it appealing, whether you are interested in the values behind the actions or the actions themselves.
I have yet met a person who purchased a 200$ pair of jeans and found fight club interesting other than the fist fights, and explosions at the end of the film.
By the way I love Chuck's writing, but I hate seeing one side of an argument (argument isn't the right word here surely, in this case).
-Jonathan
PS
You seem to be more into chuck than myself, Are you familiar with any other writers that have a similar style?
And in what setting were you asked to write about your favorite author?
-
morgainelesad
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 17:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I don't know any authors like Chuck, if I knew, maybe I wouldn't be so much into his novels. So far, he is unique in the best sense, I never even came close to, while reading a book, saying that it reminds me of Chuck's work.
Tell me, what novels by him have you read so far? maybe I can help there.
I did the essay for school, I study English language and literature at FILUM, a faculty in my home town Kragujevac, Serbia. The assignment was to write an argumentative essay (either one sided or two sided), I'm still waiting for the results. I hope I'll do well.
Tell me, what novels by him have you read so far? maybe I can help there.
I did the essay for school, I study English language and literature at FILUM, a faculty in my home town Kragujevac, Serbia. The assignment was to write an argumentative essay (either one sided or two sided), I'm still waiting for the results. I hope I'll do well.
-
Jonathan6655321
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12 Feb 2009, 13:15
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
morgainelesad
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 19 Feb 2009, 17:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
perksofbeingme
- Posts: 87
- Joined: 08 Mar 2008, 04:16
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I thought snuff was hilarious for a 2 hour sit down read. It was rather vulgar, but what chuck book isn't? Has anyone heard of his new book due out in May I do believe, pygmy? it sounds awesome. Cross my fingers its another Diary or lullaby.
How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
-
pluginbaby
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 10 Apr 2009, 07:08
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I've read everything Chuck Palahniuk has done so far, finally bought myself Snuff the other week and read it yesterday 
I really enjoy what he does, but can't quite put my finger on why it is I enjoy his writing. It goes beyond because what he does is confrontational, it's more because I think his style invites you into a world you wouldn't normally be a part of. You become friends with the characters despite yourself, even if normally you wouldn't really be that comfortable talking to them! I mean, I'm just speaking from my point of view, I know people who can't stand his way of writing, think it's an affected style and done purely for the shock value, and yet they like the film of Fight Club, so I'm not really sure where they stand
I liked your essay, I think it threw up some good points and was wellthought out
Another writer that I think has a similar style to Palahniuk is Hubert Selby Jr, a writer also not afraid of what people were going to think of his writing
I really enjoy what he does, but can't quite put my finger on why it is I enjoy his writing. It goes beyond because what he does is confrontational, it's more because I think his style invites you into a world you wouldn't normally be a part of. You become friends with the characters despite yourself, even if normally you wouldn't really be that comfortable talking to them! I mean, I'm just speaking from my point of view, I know people who can't stand his way of writing, think it's an affected style and done purely for the shock value, and yet they like the film of Fight Club, so I'm not really sure where they stand I liked your essay, I think it threw up some good points and was wellthought out
Another writer that I think has a similar style to Palahniuk is Hubert Selby Jr, a writer also not afraid of what people were going to think of his writing
-
Leapbrowser Search Engine
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 12 Apr 2009, 08:13
- Bookshelf Size: 0
you are wonderfully insightful about the author and his books. I think i will read one. thanks.............leapbrowser search engine.
-
Kosmex5
- Posts: 27
- Joined: 17 Apr 2009, 00:34
- Bookshelf Size: 0
On top of being one of our generation's greatest writers Chuck is a really interesting guy. After he came out a few years ago he admited that he had written himself into a few books. I think he was the closeted gay jock in "Invisible Monsters." You should check out some of his interviews at his homepage. I can't post the link but you can look it up pretty easilly.
-
mocalotive
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 06 May 2009, 13:22
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
earthkid
- Posts: 20
- Joined: 06 May 2009, 14:19
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I've got to agree with Mocalotive. The only two books I've read of Chuck's are Rant and Fight Club. Fight Club did not impress me, but I'm guessing this is because I saw the film first.
Rant, however, I believe is a masterpiece. It is one of the few books where the style is very unique. It is told in first-person, but not your typical first person at all. It takes a while to get into, but once you do get into it, it's a gripping, fast-paced book I really, really enjoyed. I feel like his style in Rant was so unlike any "typically" written book I've read. It was told in a very unique way. Which is mostly why I appreciate it.
The only thing I don't really like about his style is the really gross descriptions of all things wet and sticky. Ick.
Rant, however, I believe is a masterpiece. It is one of the few books where the style is very unique. It is told in first-person, but not your typical first person at all. It takes a while to get into, but once you do get into it, it's a gripping, fast-paced book I really, really enjoyed. I feel like his style in Rant was so unlike any "typically" written book I've read. It was told in a very unique way. Which is mostly why I appreciate it.
The only thing I don't really like about his style is the really gross descriptions of all things wet and sticky. Ick.
