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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
It kind of overreached with philosophical trope which took away room for what could have been made for more aesthetic writing. Lacked aestheticism. But groundbreaking
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a story about toxic masculinity. The book I put down was a strikingly original and poignant cry against the absurd meaninglessness and meaning one can find in our world. It was incredibly and grotesquely violent, and dominated by an irritatingly macho tone throughout. However, it almost seemed so to the point of irony, and it conveyed the author's message quite effectively.
This book is full of twists and turns, and only received a third star from me near the end. I do not often reread books, but I am inclined to reread this one!
This book is full of twists and turns, and only received a third star from me near the end. I do not often reread books, but I am inclined to reread this one!
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is going to be another short review of an interesting classic. This book is quite thought provoking and like most books by Palahniuk book, needs a deep analysis and multiple read throughs. I knew what the twist is due to watching the movie years before reading the book. However, the twist is only a part of what the book is and the commentary within the writing is what really makes this book great. I have only read it once, but if I read the book again, I believe my rating will go up. Classic book that many readers, both casual and hardcore, should read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt
Minor: Abortion
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So much better than the film, really offers a unique insight into the issues of the modern world, capitalism, toxic masculinity etc.
Palahniuks writing style is amazing
Palahniuks writing style is amazing
I have not seen the film. Weird book. Middle section boring but I enjoyed the end and beginning.
This is an interesting satire book, but I can’t really figure out why it’s labelled that. The points that I’m getting out of it are all valid, albeit extreme. You have a character that finds his worth and meaning in his material belongings, only to have them violently and suddenly lost to him. He has been struggling with meaning and connection, attending support groups under the guise of being terminally ill - all so he can feel affection and connection. It refreshes him because these people value life, having seen or understood it’s end. Yet he doesn’t get true relation or connection, just a false version of it (most prominently shown by having to lie just to be there). He struggles with finding meaning and begins chaffing under his class/financial situation - becoming so frustrated that he takes a nihilistic approach. He becomes embroiled in a project that is quintessential anarchy. I find it very telling that he stops attending these support groups, instead forming his own - fight club. This “support group” again misses the connection and relation that he is looking for, instead establishing a pseudo-power or control over life. Where once he cried and released tension and anxiety that way, he now punches and releases tension and anxiety that way. Both are close to a potential good solution, but both fall short. The book boils until it bubbles over in a big conclusion that sees the bitter end result of this punch-away-feelings-and-problems philosophy. This is probably not even what Chuck intended to say with the novel but it was what I got out of it. There is an answer somewhere between these two things: where you are open and honest, which creates real relationship, and when there is tension and anxiety, it moves you to action - but the right kind of action.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
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
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so thought provoking. i feel like i need an in depth analysis of this book now. the twist was crazy i did not see dat shit coming. ending was crazy. the writing style was really interesting; i'm not sure i totally like it or not. the way it was very blunt and switched back and forth was interesting and that made it feel like a cut movie.
So 99% I watch a movie and wholeheartedly proclaim that the book was better but… the movie was 1000x better than the book…
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes