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3.05 AVERAGE
3.05 AVERAGE
Easy read. Figured out the "twists" way too early on, so that was disappointing.
All in all though, it wasn't horrible, just wasn't Chuck Palahniuk's best work.
All in all though, it wasn't horrible, just wasn't Chuck Palahniuk's best work.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I "read" this on audiobook. If you don't think that counts, quit reading now.
Synopsis: On the set of a porno where an aging porn star (think soon to be Jenna Jamieson) is taping her final grasp at a return, her coup de grace 600 man gang bang (the mind boggles) a different sort of plan is emerging. You see, it's entirely possible that she could die during the filming of a rare thing (no spoilers)at any, moment and for some of the "actors" (read guys who showed up that day) this is a good thing. The story is told for the perspective of men numbered #72, 137 and 600 and the handler/assistant to the porn star, Carrie Wright.
I liked this, but wanted to like it more. I knew what I was getting into from the start and I was neither shocked nor revolted by the glimpses into the industry and occasionally delighted; some of the insider beauty tips - drinking crushed eggshells to help deepen a female voice...and some of the ways that actors in the past destroyed themselves trying to attain beauty and perfection. That being said, I didn't think that it was that well-written. Of course part of this may have been that my enjoyment suffered from having listened to this after having read Fight Club, which was genius. However, I quickly got tired of the descriptions of the food on the buffet table which seemed to consist entirely of juvenile candy and barbecue flavored potato chips, the descriptions of the bathroom (one bathroom for 600 men, I get it, it's gross) and the author's endless, insipid porn titles (Slut on a hot tin roof, chitty chitty gang bang, etc.) I suppose I felt that this book could have been shortened by half and had been better. Still, a solid read that I recommend.
Synopsis: On the set of a porno where an aging porn star (think soon to be Jenna Jamieson) is taping her final grasp at a return, her coup de grace 600 man gang bang (the mind boggles) a different sort of plan is emerging. You see, it's entirely possible that she could die during the filming of a rare thing (no spoilers)at any, moment and for some of the "actors" (read guys who showed up that day) this is a good thing. The story is told for the perspective of men numbered #72, 137 and 600 and the handler/assistant to the porn star, Carrie Wright.
I liked this, but wanted to like it more. I knew what I was getting into from the start and I was neither shocked nor revolted by the glimpses into the industry and occasionally delighted; some of the insider beauty tips - drinking crushed eggshells to help deepen a female voice...and some of the ways that actors in the past destroyed themselves trying to attain beauty and perfection. That being said, I didn't think that it was that well-written. Of course part of this may have been that my enjoyment suffered from having listened to this after having read Fight Club, which was genius. However, I quickly got tired of the descriptions of the food on the buffet table which seemed to consist entirely of juvenile candy and barbecue flavored potato chips, the descriptions of the bathroom (one bathroom for 600 men, I get it, it's gross) and the author's endless, insipid porn titles (Slut on a hot tin roof, chitty chitty gang bang, etc.) I suppose I felt that this book could have been shortened by half and had been better. Still, a solid read that I recommend.
Gave this author one last try. I feel like the only reason people read him is because reading him made you edgy in high school and some people can't get over that? It is pathetic shit to read. Maybe I don't like Palahniuk because I'm NOT a hideous virgin with a constant hard-on, a hatred towards my mother and a belief that women should be my servants? Goddamn. "If you go home with someone and they have Palahniuk books, DON'T FUCK THEM."
Shock shock, another "edgy" Palahniuk book with a twist ending I could spot from 20 pages in. This one started slower than some of the author's other works, but once you give it a chance, it has the same hypnotic effect. As often as I disparage Palahniuk as a writer, he has a way with a hook. Although his books can be irritating, lame in their attempts to push the envelope (this, set in a Debbie Does Dallas style cattle call adult film, is no exception), full of thin literary devices (this, with a rotating 3rd person narrative perspective), and the surprise factor of a rom com starring Meg Ryan, they also possess the guilty satisfaction of watching the aforementioned rom com while scarfing a bag of baked lays. It scratches the itch, but you probably don't want to tell your friends what you did friday night.
It took me multiple attempts (over many years) to get through this one, but I devoured it, finally, in less than 24 hours. If you know me, then you know that’s unheard of.
There’s so much to say about this one, but I’ll keep it simple. As expected, another truly bizarre tale delivered in a snappy yet difficult-to-swallow package. Some scenes made me cringe for a multitude of reasons. The doll… that scene is burned into my psyche. It will probably haunt me forever. In spite of that, I’m so happy I finally read it. Palahniuk’s take on the industry shines a light on its depravity in a way only he could, and the ending is one that will stick with me, even if I don’t want it to.
Thanks, Chuck. You always know the best ways to traumatize me.
There’s so much to say about this one, but I’ll keep it simple. As expected, another truly bizarre tale delivered in a snappy yet difficult-to-swallow package. Some scenes made me cringe for a multitude of reasons. The doll… that scene is burned into my psyche. It will probably haunt me forever. In spite of that, I’m so happy I finally read it. Palahniuk’s take on the industry shines a light on its depravity in a way only he could, and the ending is one that will stick with me, even if I don’t want it to.
Thanks, Chuck. You always know the best ways to traumatize me.
I'm not angry at myself for reading this garbage in one sitting. Just disappointed.
This is pretentiousness at its most disgusting peak. True fact.
This is pretentiousness at its most disgusting peak. True fact.
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is only shocking in how bad it is. It reads like a horny teenage boy who thinks he might grow up to be the next Palahniuk.
There could actually be some very intersting story lines here, but instead it just blows. Get it? I made a sex reference. Yeah, that was about as funny and witty as this book's dialogue.
There could actually be some very intersting story lines here, but instead it just blows. Get it? I made a sex reference. Yeah, that was about as funny and witty as this book's dialogue.