perit's review
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hunterreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
caseopnaseshut's review
3.0
“What I need is to be indispensable to somebody. Who I need is somebody that will eat up all my free time, my ego, my attention. Somebody addicted to me. A mutual addiction.”
andrewmfriday's review
4.0
Young man caught up in his world of fake restaurant choking, sexual addiction and insane mother learns how to make his own path in life.
ladydrini's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a ride! Okay so first, the content was the extremely racy and shocking - even for a dirty-minded human like myself. Once I got past that and the incorrect grammar used throughout by the main characters … the book quickly picked up the pace. By the end, the thoughts of the characters, the seemingly disparate details, and the way things are written all come together beautifully to leave you with some very deep thoughts about life, love, and loss. For those who have seen Fight Club, the style that Chuck Palahniuk used here is very similar. I look forward to reading another book of his soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, and Sexual content
anneliehyatt's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating book, with so many moving parts it almost doesn’t work. This book was funny and tragic, depressing yet hopeful for the future. The author was a little bit heavy-handed with the sex imagery, even if it was used as metaphor.
Ultimately, what I wanted to get from the book is that the narrator lives his life as if he’s eternally dammed, when instead he is the reincarnation of Christ: a being of perfect love. In essence, all of us could be inherently good. But the author doesn’t leave us in this touching place, however, that seems to fit so right: after it is revealed that the narrator isn’t Christ and that the doctor is insane, the message becomes not that we are good or bad, but that we all have the power to shape our future and decide who we want to be. We have the power to not live in the past. We can transcend labels and become ourselves.
Seriousness aside, there were some parts of the book that made me laugh out loud.
Ultimately, what I wanted to get from the book is that the narrator lives his life as if he’s eternally dammed, when instead he is the reincarnation of Christ: a being of perfect love. In essence, all of us could be inherently good. But the author doesn’t leave us in this touching place, however, that seems to fit so right: after it is revealed that the narrator isn’t Christ and that the doctor is insane, the message becomes not that we are good or bad, but that we all have the power to shape our future and decide who we want to be. We have the power to not live in the past. We can transcend labels and become ourselves.
Seriousness aside, there were some parts of the book that made me laugh out loud.
psykobilliethekid's review against another edition
3.0
This one took a while for me to finish but I did enjoy it. Not as good as Fight Club but still a good read overall.
emilyos's review
3.0
I just couldn't love this book. This is the second Palahniuk book I've read (see also: Damned). While I think he has some interesting ideas, I doubt I will ever find reason to join the cult of Chuck.
irinagoldberg1's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this novel. It is so brilliant. I read Fight Club last year and loved it too. This author has an indescribable gift for storytelling and his work is so unique. I am blown away by this book!
cahillc3's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but did not like it as much as the other Palahniuk that I read. First, I know the purpose is not to like the main character as first since he is a top-notch citizen. But, that made it a little bit harder for me to get into the book. Also, it was a little bit slower in parts for me, but overall it was a good book and I would recommend it, especially since there will be a movie soon. And the last chapter is very good and has a very good message.