So I know I this is a book review blog, but it's my blog and damn it, I want to talk about a few authors that always get a full 6-pack. The truth is, I was trying to think which books by each of these authors to review and just couldn't choose. Any book you come across by these guys is sure to be one of the best out there. Enjoy!
Chuck Palahniuk
Most people know Chuck Palahniuk for writing the book Fight Club; as in the Brad Pitt and Edward Norton movie. I've read every book Chuck has written except his newest, Tell All. Just haven't gotten there yet. (I will as soon as I get my butt to the library and will write up a proper review for you.)Chuck is a very modern writer. He plays with perspective, diction, and timeline. He keeps the stories interesting by overly describing the tiniest of details so you almost miss that he's held back huge chunks of detail and story. Some of the stories have a big reveal at the end, others don't and he lets the reader decipher what's happening; kind of like real life where things aren't explained fully. But these aren't mysteries. They are crazy, twisting stories and dynamic characters.
He peddles in the bazaar. But the stories are weaved in such a way that you follow him willingly into the strange lives and situations of his characters. And every situation has an element of truth. Chuck put together a book called Stranger Then Fiction that chronicles the research he's put into his fictional books and stories. For example, for his research into Fight Club, Chuck attended many support groups and gathered amazing stories from the attendants and basically got a feel for the types of people who attend support groups. That experience led to another book, Choke. All of this research and genuine interest in his subjects leads to characters with real depth and stories we can all, somehow, relate to.
I would recommend all of Chuck Palahniuk's books. The only one I didn't enjoy as much as the others was Diary. But it was still a good book, just not my favorite. Some of the stories are more bazaar then others and most of them are quite graphic. If you are offended easily by sex or violence, then this is not the author for you. And I'm not talking about hot, romance book sex or stylized violence, but the dirty, gritty kind of real life sex and violence. It's not written to make you feel comfortable but to smack you in the face with reality.
I've been trying to decide if I should recommend one or two of his books for someone completely new to Chuck Palahniuk. But as someone who started with Rant, I think just jumping in with both feet is your best bet. Pygmy may be a little tough to get into because the entire book is written in broken English but well worth the effort to read. Beyond that, pick one and enjoy the ride.
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