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2.78 AVERAGE
2.78 AVERAGE
Sad to say I didn't care for this one much at all. The story goes off the rails much sooner than usual for Palahniuk. I'm not interested in the characters and the story seems stitched together. If you asked me for a plot synopsis, I'm not even sure where I'd begin.
I suppose my issue is that the world in this story isn't really established and the characters make odd choices out of left field and talk about things that seem to exist purely for shock value. It may also need a bit of editing as there was a repetitive section of the book that made me think I had lost my page but no, it was there twice.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this one
I suppose my issue is that the world in this story isn't really established and the characters make odd choices out of left field and talk about things that seem to exist purely for shock value. It may also need a bit of editing as there was a repetitive section of the book that made me think I had lost my page but no, it was there twice.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this one
Yeah, not really for me. I have enjoyed Palahniuk books in the past but this one just didn't work for me. There were some interesting ideas here, especially "Tyger" but over all the book just seemed like a slog. I think maybe I have just grown out of these types of books.
Things You Must Know Before You Attempt To Read This Book:
1. If you are not already a fervent Chuck Pahalniuk fan (like I am), this book is definitely not where you want to start reading his work. This is not for beginners.
2. If you ignore my previous point, PLEASE be aware there is a lot of content in this book that could be considered as triggering to readers and in literary fiction it’s not standard practice to include a list of content or trigger warnings. So, take care before you read.
3. This book is going to be very divisive. It will be a book people will want banned. It is going to be a book a lot of people will DNF. I am not one of those people.
4. Chuck Pahalniuk books are almost never about the plot or the characters. They are almost always about the atmosphere, vibe, and the message. Everything else is wrapping paper. Not Forever But For Now is one of those books.
Onto the actual review!
I am so happy to be back in Pahalniuk land! Where everything is as gross and screwed up as possible but the prose is so sharp and the sentence construction is so immaculate I can’t tear my eyes away from the page. A land where the majority of people are only going to see and talk about the most obvious things they read about on the most obvious layer of the book and cast it aside as trash but will never take the time to consider the deeper themes surrounding toxic masculinity and the aristocracy, the dark comedic edge to the text, or the satirical take on the notion of the man child that just absolutely delighted me to no end (having been married to a man child for 18 years myself).
I see review after review calling for a plot, or for this book to be shorter, or (of course) how gross this book is, but all of these pleas are completely missing the point of a Pahalniuk novel: Chuck doesn’t write for the plot or the characters. He doesn’t care if you’re grossed out. After all, art is subjective and art should make you feel. If you feel grossed out then Chuck’s done his job. Chuck’s books are all about the journey, the vibe, and the message. He wants to tell you a story. He has a point, and he’s going to tell it his way. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
This book reminded me a lot of my favorite Pahalniuk book, Invisible Monsters, in the repetition of phrases, in the way Cecil learns everything he knows from his brother Otto and absorbs these nuggets of wisdom like they’re proverbs or psalms. It’s there in Cecil feeling that same sense of ennui that Daisy St. Patience felt as she traveled North America with Brandy Alexander, feeling at times the best of times was behind them and all that lay ahead was to age or to somehow self-destruct. At the same time, I think Invisible Monsters has the better overall story and message.
So, if you’re a Pahalniuk fan, then give it a go, but be aware that you’re in for a real trip. And if you’re not a Pahalniuk fan? I’d consider starting on another one of his novels before attempting this one.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Horror/Horror Comedy/Literary Fiction/Satire/Serial Killers
1. If you are not already a fervent Chuck Pahalniuk fan (like I am), this book is definitely not where you want to start reading his work. This is not for beginners.
2. If you ignore my previous point, PLEASE be aware there is a lot of content in this book that could be considered as triggering to readers and in literary fiction it’s not standard practice to include a list of content or trigger warnings. So, take care before you read.
3. This book is going to be very divisive. It will be a book people will want banned. It is going to be a book a lot of people will DNF. I am not one of those people.
4. Chuck Pahalniuk books are almost never about the plot or the characters. They are almost always about the atmosphere, vibe, and the message. Everything else is wrapping paper. Not Forever But For Now is one of those books.
Onto the actual review!
I am so happy to be back in Pahalniuk land! Where everything is as gross and screwed up as possible but the prose is so sharp and the sentence construction is so immaculate I can’t tear my eyes away from the page. A land where the majority of people are only going to see and talk about the most obvious things they read about on the most obvious layer of the book and cast it aside as trash but will never take the time to consider the deeper themes surrounding toxic masculinity and the aristocracy, the dark comedic edge to the text, or the satirical take on the notion of the man child that just absolutely delighted me to no end (having been married to a man child for 18 years myself).
I see review after review calling for a plot, or for this book to be shorter, or (of course) how gross this book is, but all of these pleas are completely missing the point of a Pahalniuk novel: Chuck doesn’t write for the plot or the characters. He doesn’t care if you’re grossed out. After all, art is subjective and art should make you feel. If you feel grossed out then Chuck’s done his job. Chuck’s books are all about the journey, the vibe, and the message. He wants to tell you a story. He has a point, and he’s going to tell it his way. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
This book reminded me a lot of my favorite Pahalniuk book, Invisible Monsters, in the repetition of phrases, in the way Cecil learns everything he knows from his brother Otto and absorbs these nuggets of wisdom like they’re proverbs or psalms. It’s there in Cecil feeling that same sense of ennui that Daisy St. Patience felt as she traveled North America with Brandy Alexander, feeling at times the best of times was behind them and all that lay ahead was to age or to somehow self-destruct. At the same time, I think Invisible Monsters has the better overall story and message.
So, if you’re a Pahalniuk fan, then give it a go, but be aware that you’re in for a real trip. And if you’re not a Pahalniuk fan? I’d consider starting on another one of his novels before attempting this one.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Horror/Horror Comedy/Literary Fiction/Satire/Serial Killers
I can handle a lot in books but like- incest is NOT it. Wasn’t very fond of anything to do with the taxidermy animal (I think Panther) either…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore
Moderate: Drug abuse, Incest, Sexual violence
Like any Chuck Palahniuk book, it was absolutely disgusting. But that I could overlook: it also didn’t go anywhere. I got more than a 1/3 of the way through and the plot was murky at best: I don’t particularly care for books that are character studies more than plot-driven. Pass for me.
I still like Chuck's earlier stuff but lately it's just edgelord trolling and it's not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Though I understand the negative reviews, I LOVE this book. I think it’s such a great culmination of Palahniuks other works. Its weird, it’s unsettling, and it’s rotten with metaphor, but I ate up every word of it. It’s definitely not a beginner Palahniuk book, but I think if you enjoyed Snuff, Haunted, or Diary- you’ll enjoy this too
Chuck’s back in his best form, obliterating all social norms with abysmally damaged characters, snowballing in decrepitude and of course, somehow tied to the most impactful celebrity deaths and domestic disasters of our time.
Not his best but faaaaaaaaaarrrr from his worst, the absolute inanity of circumstance portrayed by the central figures harkens back to his his early works. Every group is on blast, true to Palahniuk's form, and as uncomfortable as some of the targets may be in our modern sociopolitical climate, it's comforting to know this one's fiction.
Lose yourself in the offensive and enjoy(?) the ride.
Not his best but faaaaaaaaaarrrr from his worst, the absolute inanity of circumstance portrayed by the central figures harkens back to his his early works. Every group is on blast, true to Palahniuk's form, and as uncomfortable as some of the targets may be in our modern sociopolitical climate, it's comforting to know this one's fiction.
Lose yourself in the offensive and enjoy(?) the ride.
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes