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kris_hayward's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ok then
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Blood
savshelfinger's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
…and that’s why you don’t mix booze and Ambien.
I wish Mitzi was better-developed as a character; she’s def not Chuck’s most rounded out antiheroine
I wish Mitzi was better-developed as a character; she’s def not Chuck’s most rounded out antiheroine
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
meyn's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, and Fire/Fire injury
cait_henry56's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Having read a majority of his books, I figure I'm a connoisseur of Palahniuk's work and let me tell you, The Invention of Sound has that same sharp sting of his early work with a more nuanced thematic cohesion that comes with writing so much. The concept of sharing emotions and burdens through communal sound is something I was already interested in, so this book could not have come into my life at a better time. Absolutely recommend to anyone who thinks they can handle Chuck Palahniuk at his absolute best
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Trafficking and Pregnancy
kaylagetsread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
*taps mic*
Just checking my levels...
Here's a fun Hollywood fact: Did you know that the sound effect for someone falling from a building and smashing their skull is created by gluing a double layer of soda crackers to a watermelon and whacking it with a baseball bat? Well, now you know.
First, we have Mitzi Ives, a highly sought after Foley artist known for creating authentic-sounding screams for Hollywood horror films. Her work is her life and business is BOOMING, as always.
Next is Gates Foster who lost his daughter 17 years ago and hasn't stopped searching since. I mean glued to a computer screen, hypervigilent at all times, dark web kinda searching. Rinse, scrub, repeat.
Both of their lives run parallel until they don't, and that moment will make you want to close the book, stare into nothingness for a while, and start all over again. Ok, maybe that's just what I did. I digress.
At its core is a story about how the suffering of ordinary people is a hot commodity, unbeknownst to the masses that only see and believe what Hollywood wants them to. Palahniuk gets into some Deep State and even supernatural stuff, and everything about it is brutal. I'd say that comes with the territory at this point, but just in case.
The book is split into 3 sections and there aren't any chapters, so the character transitions are pretty blurry. Given the disorientating nature of the book, I'd say that was a brilliant choice. The writing is suspenseful and even through my still lingering fog after reading it *twice*, I'm impressed! There are lots of layers and bits that won't seem obvious until you turn the last page, then it all crashes down on you. It's the books that leave me stunned and wondering what the heck I just read that are my most memorable and this one has definitely left its mark. Now excuse me while I fall down a rabbit hole of Foley effects, popular movie scream origins, and conspiracy theories.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy! All views are my own.
Just checking my levels...
Here's a fun Hollywood fact: Did you know that the sound effect for someone falling from a building and smashing their skull is created by gluing a double layer of soda crackers to a watermelon and whacking it with a baseball bat? Well, now you know.
First, we have Mitzi Ives, a highly sought after Foley artist known for creating authentic-sounding screams for Hollywood horror films. Her work is her life and business is BOOMING, as always.
Next is Gates Foster who lost his daughter 17 years ago and hasn't stopped searching since. I mean glued to a computer screen, hypervigilent at all times, dark web kinda searching. Rinse, scrub, repeat.
Both of their lives run parallel until they don't, and that moment will make you want to close the book, stare into nothingness for a while, and start all over again. Ok, maybe that's just what I did. I digress.
At its core is a story about how the suffering of ordinary people is a hot commodity, unbeknownst to the masses that only see and believe what Hollywood wants them to. Palahniuk gets into some Deep State and even supernatural stuff, and everything about it is brutal. I'd say that comes with the territory at this point, but just in case.
The book is split into 3 sections and there aren't any chapters, so the character transitions are pretty blurry. Given the disorientating nature of the book, I'd say that was a brilliant choice. The writing is suspenseful and even through my still lingering fog after reading it *twice*, I'm impressed! There are lots of layers and bits that won't seem obvious until you turn the last page, then it all crashes down on you. It's the books that leave me stunned and wondering what the heck I just read that are my most memorable and this one has definitely left its mark. Now excuse me while I fall down a rabbit hole of Foley effects, popular movie scream origins, and conspiracy theories.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy! All views are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
Minor: Pedophilia
More...