When watching some movies, hearing the narrators dialogue and the way they speak and the world that is created, you can just tell the book it originated from would be equally as good. Fight Club is an example of this.
After quickly becoming infatuated by David Finchers film I sought out the novel as was immediately astounded by the unique, gritty, amazing writing style of Palahniuk. This book has irreversibly altered my taste in literature and has introduced me to the similar writing styles of other amazing cult authors like Bret Easton Ellis, Irvine Welsh, John Birmingham and Co, and has changed the way I view and create all forms of art.
This book just has something about it that is full of grime and shock and amazingly curated paragraphs that is apparent in Palahniuk's other works but Fight Club does it best. He really delves into the world of consumerist masculine dominated 1990s through his Narrator and how he sees the world and his relationships. The satire and nuance and undertones that this book conveys are rich and so interesting to look into, even though many have missed such elements, especially in the film adaptation.
Even more impressive to think this was his first published novel. This book is my favourite ever and is a perfect example of pushing the limits of literature and reinventing the written world in a dark, humorous novel of violence, lust and defiance against the contemporary capitalist world.
Also, it's super gay.
Read for school so it got annoying fast but the actual book is quite good. The three sections are distinct and contribute contrasting and cohesive insights. Unlike other school read dystopians (cough cough brave new world) it didnt take the storyline in a weird way and fully engaged with the world building in a interesting storyline that for the most part was a good, easy enough to comprehend read. Glad all the analysing for class forced me to appreciate it more than I would have on an independent read
Soughted out after watching the movie that equally captured a brilliant narrative voice and interesting rich story. Really really good, engaging and tragic. Really delves into the perspectives of the young boys viewing the Lisbons and the oppressive forces they face. Amazing
Rreat concept, great execution. Best short stories are Hot Potting, Guts and Exodus. Main plot is good too, interesting and gruesome but foes drag on and then ends abruptly and unfulfilling but makes sense thematically. Some short stories are a bit abstract for my taste but really showcases the full extent of Palahniuk's creativity. Awesome awesome book, second of his read after Fight Club and it holds up.
