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Michael Finocchiaro's Reviews > Fight Club
Fight Club
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The book that inspired the iconic Brad Pitt/Edward Norton film from 1999 is a wild ride every bit as gritty and crazy as the movie. I think the reveal comes a bit early in the book and that the movie actually did a better job of covering up the real identity of Tyler Durden. However, if you want to get down in all that liposuctioned fat and squirm around, this is the book for you. I thought the writing was OK, it did not inspire me to read any other Palahniuk books. Perhaps in the comments, folks could let me know if any are truly worth it or if this was his greatest book.
I think I attempted another book of Palahniuk and never finished it...I guess you'd call it post-modern, but I really prefer DFW and even more Thomas Pynchon to this. I guess his style is like a mashup of DFW on acid channeling Michel Houellebecq or something like that.
Perhaps someone reading this review can answer a question for me: is Bret Easton Ellis' writing style similar to that of Palahniuk? I get the impression that it sort of is and that I may not like American Psycho or his other books, but I have been putting them off for years.
I think I attempted another book of Palahniuk and never finished it...I guess you'd call it post-modern, but I really prefer DFW and even more Thomas Pynchon to this. I guess his style is like a mashup of DFW on acid channeling Michel Houellebecq or something like that.
Perhaps someone reading this review can answer a question for me: is Bret Easton Ellis' writing style similar to that of Palahniuk? I get the impression that it sort of is and that I may not like American Psycho or his other books, but I have been putting them off for years.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
December 7, 2015
–
Finished Reading
July 18, 2016
– Shelved
July 19, 2016
– Shelved as:
fiction
November 18, 2016
– Shelved as:
american-20th-c
November 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
novels
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Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V.
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rated it 4 stars
May 24, 2018 12:46PM
Chuck Palahniuk seems to be an either you love him or you hate him kind of author. I haven't read any of his books yet, but have quite a few on my list to read. If my nephew were replying he would say he loves this guy. I know Choke is one of his favorite books.
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I may not be a lot of help here but I'll try. I've read a couple Palahniuk novels before though it must have been before Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ because I don't see that I've rated any. My vague memory is that I really liked Invisible Monsters but wasn't too fond of Lullaby. I loved Fight Club the movie but in this particular case I wasn't sure the book would live up to the film. (Never thought I'd say that LOL).I don't recall American Psycho being similar at all, like AT ALL. I remember loving the brilliance of the story and writing, but also that it seemed to be long lists of designer names - which was appropriate to its message. I've been generally irritated with most everything else he's written.
Overall you nailed the description of Palahniuk, so if that's not for you I'd definitely move on to something else. Neither of these two writers really veer from their "type".
Hmm, the pseudo-misogynist/SM themes of Palahniuk are what lead me to believe that BEE’s writing might annoy me too...
Michael wrote: "Hmm, the pseudo-misogynist/SM themes of Palahniuk are what lead me to believe that BEE’s writing might annoy me too..."NAILED IT, lol.
Thanks Cynthia! So, sounds like I should just try American Psycho although I think that a serial killer of women might be dark...how does it stand up, writing wise, to say In Cold Blood?
In writing and in content I'd say they have nothing in common. AP is basically an ode to excess - in consumerism and in sex and in murder. My opinion is you could read a couple chapters of AP and get the general idea. In Cold Blood is a great book and a fantastic story.
These are just my opinions though, not every book is for everyone.
Michael wrote: "Thanks Cynthia. And yes Capote’s book (my review) is absolutely amazing."It's been great chatting to you about books, Michael!
Same likewise! I wrote >970 reviews so there is plenty more to discuss and debate!
Dumb q but do vodka and popcorn really go together?
Michael wrote: "Dumb q but do vodka and popcorn really go together?"LOLOLOL if the vodka is in orange juice or lemonade, then they absolutely do! That name came from when I worked with the Cinequest Film Festival and did a lot of reviews and interviews.
Beats working for a living! Cheers! :-)
Our Diversity in All Forms Book Club is reading this for November. We’d love to have you join the discussion on it. :) /topic/show/...
Sorry, @Mariah, I missed your reading group :-(
Great review Michael. I haven’t read this (love the movie) and I’ve been too scared to read American Psycho...but maybe it’s nearly time.
I wrote a DNF review of American Psycho and was heavily criticized, but I couldn’t stomach even the first few pages. Too much pretension, not enough art (because snuff films and snuff writing doesn’t constitute art or literature for me)
OMG! I LOVED American Psycho! But it’s quite a dated read very 80s angst. I did audio but I’m a true crime aficionado too. So much pretentiousness and then the ending left you questioning everything you had just read. Fight Club is amazing too. I actually like the book better than the movie. Sadly I’m often referred to as Marla...i dont know what that says about me?
