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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
What happens when you put a bunch of sociopaths in a theatre together for 3 months? A lot of blood & gore.
A story woven through 23 vignettes, Haunted takes the reader through anger, sadness, homicide, & self-mutilation. I must have read some of the vignettes before, because several sounded very familiar. I know Guts was published on its own, but others also peaked my deja vu.
I enjoyed Mrs. Clark’s stories the most. There was so much realness to her reaction to the video she made with her husband. Her daughter’s story was heart breaking. Lady Baglady’s story was also riveting. Looking back, I think I liked all the stories, even the gratuitous ones.
There’s a lot of gore and violence.
The total breakdown of a society in isolation seeking fame: 2 weeks.
A story woven through 23 vignettes, Haunted takes the reader through anger, sadness, homicide, & self-mutilation. I must have read some of the vignettes before, because several sounded very familiar. I know Guts was published on its own, but others also peaked my deja vu.
I enjoyed Mrs. Clark’s stories the most. There was so much realness to her reaction to the video she made with her husband. Her daughter’s story was heart breaking. Lady Baglady’s story was also riveting. Looking back, I think I liked all the stories, even the gratuitous ones.
There’s a lot of gore and violence.
The total breakdown of a society in isolation seeking fame: 2 weeks.
So, in the epilogue the author writes that “Guts,” the first story in the book Haunted was “a book you wouldn’t want to keep next to your bed.” He talks about how, when he did a book tour and read “Guts” 73 people, from all over the world fainted as he read. As with the entirety of the book Haunted, I laughed at this. I, myself, kept this book on my nightstand through the entire time I read it.
I have a hard time finding where the horror aspect of this book is. It is quite disturbing. Seriously, I only mentioned two of the 20 + stories to anyone, because they really are weird. But, I grew up mildly obsessed with David Lynch and underground foreign films, and it seems that those really prepared me for a book such as this. I found this more humorous than horror.
I would never have chosen to read this book had I really understood more what it was about. When I picked this book up I wanted horror along the lines of Stephen King. Having said that, I think it is a very well written book. And, even for being as disturbing as it is (or maybe because it is so disturbing), it is very entertaining.
For those who prefer more linearly written books, this may take a while to get used to. It is basically divided into three “sections.” You have a section on what is going on in the moment. A second section where each character has a poem. And the third section is that characters story. The ONLY part that I am still somewhat confused about was the chapter where everyone “emigrated.” I don’t quite understand how that fit into the rest of the book.
Anyway, if you like things of a disturbing nature, I would definitely recommend this book.
I have a hard time finding where the horror aspect of this book is. It is quite disturbing. Seriously, I only mentioned two of the 20 + stories to anyone, because they really are weird. But, I grew up mildly obsessed with David Lynch and underground foreign films, and it seems that those really prepared me for a book such as this. I found this more humorous than horror.
I would never have chosen to read this book had I really understood more what it was about. When I picked this book up I wanted horror along the lines of Stephen King. Having said that, I think it is a very well written book. And, even for being as disturbing as it is (or maybe because it is so disturbing), it is very entertaining.
For those who prefer more linearly written books, this may take a while to get used to. It is basically divided into three “sections.” You have a section on what is going on in the moment. A second section where each character has a poem. And the third section is that characters story. The ONLY part that I am still somewhat confused about was the chapter where everyone “emigrated.” I don’t quite understand how that fit into the rest of the book.
Anyway, if you like things of a disturbing nature, I would definitely recommend this book.
Delightfully weird and gross. And the cover glows in the dark.
If you want to have a visceral reaction to a visceral story, look no further than the first in this book, "Guts." If I could bleach my brain to be rid of it, I think I would. That being said, I still somehow want to expose everyone else to the horror of it.
The rest of the book follows in that weird, taking-it-to-far kinda way that Palahniuk has. Awesome but incredibly fucked up.
***** 1 week later and I'm still having thoughts about this book; they come like weird acid flashbacks, out of nowhere thinking, 'What about those killer bowling balls?...' or replaying an entire story in my head.
The rest of the book follows in that weird, taking-it-to-far kinda way that Palahniuk has. Awesome but incredibly fucked up.
***** 1 week later and I'm still having thoughts about this book; they come like weird acid flashbacks, out of nowhere thinking, 'What about those killer bowling balls?...' or replaying an entire story in my head.
I didn’t care for the structure and the writing style.
dark
funny
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a reread. I first read this in an undergraduate Gothic Literature course. It’s been hanging out on my bookshelf ever since, even though Chuck P annoys me greatly. I wanted to give this another shot because I was considering the option that maybe I just hated boys who idolize Chuck P, not Chuck P himself. Unfortunately, I fear it’s a Chuck P problem. He writes like he’s very pleased with himself, and I have a hard time with it. He’s a good writer. This is well written. But it’s also a bit obnoxious. It’s a collection of short stories within the framework of a larger story about a group of writers locked away on a three month writing retreat with each other. The short stories (all from the POV of a different attendee) are outrageous and absurd and sometimes quite enjoyable. Some are quite traumatizing. This just feels very early OOs hipster. It looks like I will continue to roll my eyes and curse Chuck P. But I acknowledge this is not a terrible book. There is a bit of cannibalism in it, at least.
I consider one of Palahniuk's BEST. I was chilled to the bone with terror on one page, and laughing nervously the next. If you're a fan of his style, pick this up. You won't be disappointed.
dando duas estrelas pq tem algumas histórias muito boas mas no geral.. que merda hein gente