You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel conflicted about writing a review for a book that I did not finish reading, but I guess that's why I'm writing this review in the first place. I've never read any of Chuck P's work, and only know him as the author of Fight Club (which was an enjoyable film). However, I had heard that he was a respected writer, and he was featured on local public radio, and the book was supposed to be clever, and so forth.
It was hard to get through the 80 pages that I did read. The repetition of numerous "literary" choices seemed marginally clever at first, and then quickly turned into tedious annoyance. This quality was most irritating with the teen narrator's insistence that her marginally complex vocabulary choices shouldn't be shocking. They weren't. I don't think teens would feel defensive about using some complex wording. I think Palahniuk felt weird about it, and then felt somehow clever about making his character act out his own insecurities.
Being in hell, full of various excrescences, populated by culturally irrelevant gods - somewhat interesting, but not nearly enough. The moment I stopped reading featured the teenage leading lady sexually pleasuring a Serbian demoness of some sort. As a fictional premise, that wasn't the problem for me. It was actually rather boring to read, as if the author was trying too hard to shock and then was clumsy about it.
And so, I didn't finish. Maybe it got better. I don't think I'll ever know.
It was hard to get through the 80 pages that I did read. The repetition of numerous "literary" choices seemed marginally clever at first, and then quickly turned into tedious annoyance. This quality was most irritating with the teen narrator's insistence that her marginally complex vocabulary choices shouldn't be shocking. They weren't. I don't think teens would feel defensive about using some complex wording. I think Palahniuk felt weird about it, and then felt somehow clever about making his character act out his own insecurities.
Being in hell, full of various excrescences, populated by culturally irrelevant gods - somewhat interesting, but not nearly enough. The moment I stopped reading featured the teenage leading lady sexually pleasuring a Serbian demoness of some sort. As a fictional premise, that wasn't the problem for me. It was actually rather boring to read, as if the author was trying too hard to shock and then was clumsy about it.
And so, I didn't finish. Maybe it got better. I don't think I'll ever know.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the premise and the authors conception of Hell. I liked the construction emulating Judy Blume’s classic. I wished we had more scenes actually in Hell; I didn’t realize much of the story would be flashbacks to Maddy’s time on Earth. I also didn’t really like the main character at all so that made it hard to care about her. I will probably continue with the next book as I do want to know what happens.
Madison Spencer wakes up to find herself in hell, dead at 13 and navigating her new surroundings as though it were just another new boarding school. The precocious and jaded child of an actress and a media mogul, Madison makes friends and learns the administrative regulations of Hell with plenty of snark as she struggles to piece together how she got there. Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, does a good job of writing the voice of our middle school heroine as well as describing the many hilarious details of Hades (OF COURSE hell has dial-up…) You’ll be pleased to discover at the end that her adventures continue in a second book, “Doomed”. - Joyce A.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had a lot of fun reading this book. There were many times I actually laughed out loud. However I understand that this book is not for everyone but it was for me. It’s heavy on the satire and commentary which makes me absolutely love this book. Honestly reading a book about a 13 year old girl navigating hell was a delight.
fast-paced
Nowhere near the top tier of Pahlaniuk stories. I finished this one only through sheer determination and the expectation that Chuck wouldn't let me down, but he did. This is the first (hopefully last) of his that I wouldn't recommend to others.
The story is disjointed, convoluted, and ultimately doesn't work for me. However, his characters are still interesting, which is what drove me to the end.
The story is disjointed, convoluted, and ultimately doesn't work for me. However, his characters are still interesting, which is what drove me to the end.
This was not as good as Chuck's other books, and at several points was unnecessarily obscene. There is not as much plot as there is character development. Still, though book seemed to hold my interest despite its graphically and sexual moments.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Not my favorite book by Palahniuk, however still entertaining, Damned is a hilarious tale of a hell bound young girl. Filled with classic Palahniuk criticism of rich and spoiled Americans, the world that he builds is entertaining and interesting, I only wish for more character development and story. This however could be resolved for me in the sequel, Doomed, which I am beginning shortly. Overall, witty, raunchy, and entertaining quick read.