books_n_bananas's review against another edition
2.0
I haven't read a Palahniuk novel in a while and I have to say I was a bit let down by this one.
I wasn't too upset that it was missing some of Palahniuk's characteristic crass scenes, but it felt like he almost tried to make up for it lackingly-so by buffing up the grossness of his descriptors of Hell.
The plot was a tad lackluster and the only points of interest for me was the comparison to the Breakfast Club and the persons of which drawing from different points in history, but being presented as modern day and that she was assisting in bringing people to Hell.
I think there were too many pieces here that just fell flat ie Satan, who appears once and only once; her appeal, which at the end just doesn't matter for unclear reasons; her relationship with Goran, which isn't really well explained, etc, etc
He accomplished a naive, wealthy, abandoned 13-year old girl very well. So well that it kind of ruined any other attempted highlights of the novel.
I usually really like Palahniuk books because his writing is gruesome social commentary. But this one I just didn't get.
I wasn't too upset that it was missing some of Palahniuk's characteristic crass scenes, but it felt like he almost tried to make up for it lackingly-so by buffing up the grossness of his descriptors of Hell.
The plot was a tad lackluster and the only points of interest for me was the comparison to the Breakfast Club and the persons of which drawing from different points in history, but being presented as modern day and that she was assisting in bringing people to Hell.
I think there were too many pieces here that just fell flat ie Satan, who appears once and only once; her appeal, which at the end just doesn't matter for unclear reasons; her relationship with Goran, which isn't really well explained, etc, etc
He accomplished a naive, wealthy, abandoned 13-year old girl very well. So well that it kind of ruined any other attempted highlights of the novel.
I usually really like Palahniuk books because his writing is gruesome social commentary. But this one I just didn't get.
draculaura_'s review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nik_snowflake's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a fucked up version of Judy Blumes' "Are you there God, It's me Margaret" which my mother insisted I read at age 9. And, of course, I did. Loved it even. Now, reading Damned, it took me about fifty pages to actually get into it and not want to put the book down forever.... but once I was into the story It was an easy page turner. Not my favorite, but good nonetheless.
bhsmith's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy a good Chuck Palahniuk book. This one certainly doesn't disappoint!
It is hard to put my finger on why I enjoy Palahniuk's writing so much. His subjects are certainly new, different, disturbing and appalling... and it is always refreshing to read something unexpected. But, more than that, his writing is always different with each new story. If you pick up a John Grisham book you know the style of writing, the sentence structure and the overall story arc will be pretty much the same. Ditto most authors, especially those on the Bestseller list. Palahniuk does a great job of mixing things up and making sure you experience something new in the way the story is told, the words are chosen and the characters are portrayed. There are no certainties when you crack open a new Palahniuk book.
This is the second time I've read "Damned." And, the reason I picked it up again is because I'm about to read the sequel, "Doomed." This really is a modern-day twist on all the creepy things Dante told us about Hell. There are plenty of new reasons that you'll be admitted to Hell in Palahniuk's telling: peeing in a pool a certain number of times, having AIDS, honking your car horn too much, being a lawyer, etc. Some of them are quite comical, some leave you thinking, "Did he really just write that?" Madison Spencer finds herself in the underworld after her death at age thirteen. We follow Madison as she explores the underworld meeting new characters and figuring out how the entire system works. Of course, there are some interesting twists and turns along the way... especially the big one in the last few pages that leads nicely into the second book.
I, for one, would recommend picking up any Palahniuk book and giving it a shot. You might be appalled, grossed-out or a bit shaken, but you'll likely keep turning pages.
It is hard to put my finger on why I enjoy Palahniuk's writing so much. His subjects are certainly new, different, disturbing and appalling... and it is always refreshing to read something unexpected. But, more than that, his writing is always different with each new story. If you pick up a John Grisham book you know the style of writing, the sentence structure and the overall story arc will be pretty much the same. Ditto most authors, especially those on the Bestseller list. Palahniuk does a great job of mixing things up and making sure you experience something new in the way the story is told, the words are chosen and the characters are portrayed. There are no certainties when you crack open a new Palahniuk book.
This is the second time I've read "Damned." And, the reason I picked it up again is because I'm about to read the sequel, "Doomed." This really is a modern-day twist on all the creepy things Dante told us about Hell. There are plenty of new reasons that you'll be admitted to Hell in Palahniuk's telling: peeing in a pool a certain number of times, having AIDS, honking your car horn too much, being a lawyer, etc. Some of them are quite comical, some leave you thinking, "Did he really just write that?" Madison Spencer finds herself in the underworld after her death at age thirteen. We follow Madison as she explores the underworld meeting new characters and figuring out how the entire system works. Of course, there are some interesting twists and turns along the way... especially the big one in the last few pages that leads nicely into the second book.
I, for one, would recommend picking up any Palahniuk book and giving it a shot. You might be appalled, grossed-out or a bit shaken, but you'll likely keep turning pages.
kirag's review against another edition
5.0
This made me buy two more Chuck Palahniuk books. What a weird mind, I love it
nephelila's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Maybe later. But definitely not feeling it as for now.
mcgbreads's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't even bring myself to finish this book... And I feel like I don't have to finish it in order to know how bad it is, the first few chapters told me everything I needed to know. This is the worst Palahniuk book I've read so far and I honestly thought this day would never come. Most annoying character I've had the misfortune of readin in my whole entire life.
I'm sorry, Chuck. I love you, I do, but I can't finish this. I'll just move one to a better book of yours, okay? Thanks for understanding.
I'm sorry, Chuck. I love you, I do, but I can't finish this. I'll just move one to a better book of yours, okay? Thanks for understanding.