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2.78 AVERAGE
2.78 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For anyone thinking of reading this book, keep the metaphors in mind.
Chuck Palahniuk wanted to write a book about pain, and specifically the pain of addiction. Before judging this book and taking it at face value, give it a chance.
The book is uncomfortable, but I think he beautifully encapsulated the discomfort and pain that comes from dealing with addiction.
Chuck Palahniuk wanted to write a book about pain, and specifically the pain of addiction. Before judging this book and taking it at face value, give it a chance.
The book is uncomfortable, but I think he beautifully encapsulated the discomfort and pain that comes from dealing with addiction.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For the first time in my life, the acknowledgments and note from the author has completely changed my entire perspective of a book. I'm rethinking everything. Before this moment, I would've said this was a deranged book with deranged, disgusting, nauseating characters and a horrible plot. I would've been glad it's over, and I kind of am still glad because holy shit what WAS that?? But the author's note. Oh my god, I got everything wrong. I was reading this completely the wrong way. Was it good? No. Did I enjoy it? No. But I kind of get it now, and can't bare to give it less than 3 stars, as appalled as my past self would've been. It's a gruesome, graphic book, and I'm embarrassed how many metaphors I missed, but I feel so conflicted now. I don't what to think anymore.
Before I get into my own thoughts about the novel, I’d like to rebuke a few of the negative reviews.
One of the main criticisms I have seen so far is the claim that this book is “bad writing.” I would contend the opposite: Not Forever is one of the best Palahniuk books I have read to date. Not only is it stylistically interesting, but it’s also a prime example of strong storytelling. The ending of a good story should be the logical conclusion of the beginning; I don’t see how Palahniuk could have ended this book any other way.
Another trend among the early negative reviews seems to take issue with the protagonists’ ages. However, if you read far enough (or speak Greek), you’ll see that Otto and Cecil are hardly children.
Not Forever But For Now is delightfully grotesque. It is a brilliant concoction of satire, humor, gore, and tenderness. Chuck Palahniuk has crafted a scathing critique of excessive wealth, toxic masculinity, and society’s obsession with serial killers using unforgettable characters.
Thank you to Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster for my Advanced Reader’s Copy!
One of the main criticisms I have seen so far is the claim that this book is “bad writing.” I would contend the opposite: Not Forever is one of the best Palahniuk books I have read to date. Not only is it stylistically interesting, but it’s also a prime example of strong storytelling. The ending of a good story should be the logical conclusion of the beginning; I don’t see how Palahniuk could have ended this book any other way.
Another trend among the early negative reviews seems to take issue with the protagonists’ ages. However, if you read far enough (or speak Greek), you’ll see that Otto and Cecil are hardly children.
Not Forever But For Now is delightfully grotesque. It is a brilliant concoction of satire, humor, gore, and tenderness. Chuck Palahniuk has crafted a scathing critique of excessive wealth, toxic masculinity, and society’s obsession with serial killers using unforgettable characters.
Thank you to Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster for my Advanced Reader’s Copy!
Yet another Chuck book--funny, clever, insightful, but a bit of a one-trick pony.
Language is clever, writing is crisp, and critique is strong, but it somehow feels like more of the same. I dream of a mature Chuck book at some point--like the book he wanted to write when he was twelve.
I'm not sure, but the chance of him working on something that matters is still on the table.
Recommended to fans, everyone else can keep waiting for the next book.
Language is clever, writing is crisp, and critique is strong, but it somehow feels like more of the same. I dream of a mature Chuck book at some point--like the book he wanted to write when he was twelve.
I'm not sure, but the chance of him working on something that matters is still on the table.
Recommended to fans, everyone else can keep waiting for the next book.
I'm going to write short reviews on the three books I've neglected to do so recently.
I've read at least two books by Chuck Palahniuk that I really enjoyed but this one and Haunted (which I dnfed this year) have been meh. I felt like I completely missed the point in this book and just missed the mark for me. Might be awhile before I try another book by this author.
I've read at least two books by Chuck Palahniuk that I really enjoyed but this one and Haunted (which I dnfed this year) have been meh. I felt like I completely missed the point in this book and just missed the mark for me. Might be awhile before I try another book by this author.
This book reminded me of that super old Onion headline:
"Marilyn Manson Now Going Door-To-Door Trying To Shock People"
That's what it felt like. Palahniuk, quite literally in this book, goes door-to-door at times, trying to be shocking. It might work if it was the first book of his you've ever read. But for anyone who's read his work, it just feels a bit desperate. I'm sure he has another great book in him, but this one wasn't doing it for me.
It might work for you though, if you like dark humor and haven't read many of Chuck's other books.
"Marilyn Manson Now Going Door-To-Door Trying To Shock People"
That's what it felt like. Palahniuk, quite literally in this book, goes door-to-door at times, trying to be shocking. It might work if it was the first book of his you've ever read. But for anyone who's read his work, it just feels a bit desperate. I'm sure he has another great book in him, but this one wasn't doing it for me.
It might work for you though, if you like dark humor and haven't read many of Chuck's other books.
I wanted to like this but it just wasn't for me. Didn't care about the writing style or story or characters or anything really. I wouldn't have even finished it if it wasn't less than 250 pages.
An interesting, if not particularly successful, exercise in style and satire. Not bad, but it wouldn't make my top five of Palahniuk's novels.
(3.5 Stars)
I didn't hate this book but it didn't have the same style I've come to expect from a Palahniuk book. I guess I don't know exactly how to put it... The Characters were not as compelling as usual, they were not as personal or something. They lacked that "relatability" that is common to most of Chuck's books.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the book and was completely entertained by it. It was both clever and satirical, and disturbingly humorous as only Palahniuk can be... It just didn't "grab" me like most of his other books.
I didn't hate this book but it didn't have the same style I've come to expect from a Palahniuk book. I guess I don't know exactly how to put it... The Characters were not as compelling as usual, they were not as personal or something. They lacked that "relatability" that is common to most of Chuck's books.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the book and was completely entertained by it. It was both clever and satirical, and disturbingly humorous as only Palahniuk can be... It just didn't "grab" me like most of his other books.