Diary

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Summary: Rugbern
Review: As an artist I enjoyed this mystery that was littered with interesting art facts.

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Summary: inane depressing with sprinkes and whipped cream
Review: exactly, what a bunch of nonsense... listen, I'll deal with a Turturro's crazy cinematic lunacy - but ole Chucky boy is plenty of cards short of a full deck - I was hoping Peter would wake up from his coma and kill Misty and his mother - this book nearly put me in a coma - STAY AWAY from Wantanasaey or whatever island. the book and the island should be condemned!

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Summary: where do you get your lack of inspiration
Review: It's disheartening to say it but Diary is disappointing. It starts in a very intriguing way, like all Chuck Palahniuk novels, and soon becomes your average thriller novel involving philosophical issues. Name dropping here shows that the author made his research, but it often feels misplaced and repetitive.
In the end, i got the weird impression of having read a cross between Dolores Claiborne and Salem's lot meets Fight Club.
I fear, because i admire his talent, that M.Palahniuk may not be ill from the stendhal syndrome but from best seller syndrome : being now (justly) successful he needs to deliver a manuscript each year.
Diary is fun to read but leaves no trace maybe because it was wirtten with too much haste.

Rating:
Summary: hummm
Review: chucks last 2 books have been kinda going down hill, i mean they are still good, but hes trying to hard to write mainstream and its not working for him, he needs to stick to his earlyier work

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Summary: Ole' Chuck does it again!
Review: Once again, the author of Fight Club and Choke delivers a winning book about a would-be artist who finds her fragile world unraveling. It's different from his other books, told of course in 'diary' form, but it succeeds and is always engaging. Fight Club still takes top honor on my list, however. Also recommended: The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, [e-mail] by Tom Grimes

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Summary: What you don't understand, you can make mean anything
Review: If you've read most of Palahniuk's as I have, it's a no-brainer to read Diary. Is it great? No. Is it better than Lullaby? Yes. Despite starting somewhat slowly and cryptically, Diary inevitably gathers momentum like a snowball going downhill. Palahniuk brings to the table his customary and singular writing style that is unlike any other writer out there today. In Diary, similar to his other works, Palahniuk recounts the lives of morally depraved individuals who attempt to let fate manage their lives.

The ominous setting of Diary, Waytansea Island, conveniently serves as a metaphor for their apathetic and pathetic nihilistic existence. Palahniuk, as in Fight Club, sends a powerful message of individualism, achieving of one's potential, & following your inspiration.

Needless to say, as usual, there exists no shortage of glib catch phrases: "Bonner & Mills-When You're Ready to Stop Starting Over. Mewtworx-Where Progress Is Not Staying in One Place. Using Your Mistakes to Build a Better Future. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will." Worth the read. BTW, check inside the dust jacket.

Rating:
Summary: Far better than Lullaby
Review: The only problem with Chuck's prose is that he is derivative of himself. Knowing his formula is off-putting because I know when to expect the twists and turns. Despite this, Diary had it's flair. One of the best things about Chuck is that he gives you an original story to enjoy and teaches you something, i.e.: art history.

By the way, (SPOILER ALERT) my one gripe: how the hell did Misty get out of jail? Anyway, if you like a simple read (there isn't a single Chuck book I haven't read within 2-5 days) this is the book for you. If you like something different, this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Sorry Chuck, This is a Stinker
Review: I have no idea how this book has maintained an overall rating of 4 stars. It is easily his worst book. I loved the ALL of Chuck's prior work. It read like he was forced to write this at gun point. I couldn't have been less interested in the story or characters. I kept hoping for a chuck-type twist that would make my time reading the book worthwhile. Sorry, didn't happen. Don't buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Decent book, but not his best
Review: As an avid fan of Chuck Palahniuk I was quite disappointed to read "Diary". This book aspires to be something it is not, interesting and clever.
I have read every book by Mr. Palahniuk and this is my least favorite. As I was reading I got the impression that this book was written because it was time for another book to come out, not because Chuck had inspiration.
"Survivor" is my favorite with every other book except "Choke" residing in my top ten, but this book lacked what those others had, a cohesive somewhat plausible plot twist. The book started slow, but got me very excited as it led to the final plot twist that was thrown together and poorly done.
This book is worth reading once, but do not expect to be blown away by it.

Rating:
Summary: Repetitive drivel
Review: Reading this book is a bit like being repeatedly clubbed on the head, and I don't mean that as a compliment. If you are going to repeat the same sentence twenty times, at least pick a good one. Also irritating is Palahniuk's penchant for displaying his dimestore erudition, especially since he makes several rather glaring factual errors. If you are looking for a good book about painting, take a look at Maugham's "The Moon and Sixpence" or Robertson Davies' "What's Bred in the Bone." (Robertson Davies also actually knows how to do research.) Don't bother with this crap.