Rating: Summary: High praise, from an admitted wimp Review: I'm a big fan of violent books, and violence in general--as long as no one gets hurt. I've never actually inflicted any violence on a person myself, except for one time that I tried to fight a guy on the side of the road after a fender bender. He started it, after I said something unpleasant; and then I didn't fare very well. To make a long story short, I had to have my jaw re-wired, and I couldn't eat solid foods for a long time. So the point I'm getting at is: I like violence, as long as I'm not directly involved in it. This book was ideal for someone like me. It was a rush of adrenaline, and I can still eat solid foods. Bravo.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: Wow! I was amazed at reading this book. I mean I watched the film but the book really clears out the things that the film didn't. Written in an original style with very original content. It is about anarchy and the fight against the way society has us controlled by advertising and material objects. The narrator discovers Tyler Durden, who helps him realize how passive his life is. Eventually the two of the create Fight Club. Excellent novel. I read it in 2 days, cover to cover. I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: A novel that holds up under repeated reading Review: There aren't many books that I've read that I have enjoyed very much on a second read-through. i have read Fight Club, however, three times and have enjoyed it more each read through. The reason I think that it stands up so well is because past the plot, the book is dense with concepts and ideas. Many of these are missed on the first read through because the plot is so engrossing, but it allowes for a wonderfully enjoyable secan and even third experience. The only other novel I ever read that held up so wonderfully was We All Fall Down by Brian Caldwell. It was likewise dense with concepts and ideas in a way that made it a pleasure to read several times. As good as that novel is, though, i think Fight Club has suplanted it as my favorite novel.
Rating: Summary: save the world... Review: by destroying it! You won't find a better manual for seeing what's wrong with the world. The epitome of nihilistic compassion, or whatever you want to call it. Jam-packed with more mind-blowing ideas than any book ever written. The movie is also amazing and is NOT just about dudes beating the crap out of each other. Buy them both! Now!
Rating: Summary: Not Chuck P's best, but still good. Review: What you want to say about this book is that it is great, it's groundbreaking, it's radical, and its voice captures and carries you through the seriously twisted plot. And while you wouldn't be wrong if you said or thought these things, you'd probably be someone who hasn't read much of Palahniuk's other stuff or his literary forebear Bret Easton Ellis. The fact that this is Palahniuk's first novel forgives a great deal of his device-reliant narrative voice. It is, after all, a great story, very impressively written for a first novel. Combined with the fact that it was parlayed into a full-on pop sensation with a blockbuster movie and a handy social scandal (fight clubs breaking out across the U.S.), the book was brought to the attention of many readers who would not have otherwise picked up a quasi-literary work of fiction that examines social acceptability and the expression of self. All that said, Fight Club is highly entertaining, creatively imagined, and crisply executed. You will want to read it in 3 days, and you will probably think that Palahniuk is possibly one of America's greatest living writers. If you're happy with this thought, fine. If you want to challenge it, read Choke and Survivor and email me with every variation in plot formula or narrative technique you find.
Rating: Summary: An excellent read Review: I read Fight Club over the course of several days. Although it is not very long, it is much denser than most novels out there. The most enjoyable thing about it is the unique (to me) style of writing. I suppose it was written as a narrative in the second person (i.e. everybody is referred to as 'you'). Fight Club is very scathingly witty, and contains many gems which you might find yourself quoting after you finish. Surprisingly enough, I enjoyed the movie more than I did the book, but the book is definately worth your time.
Rating: Summary: surreal Review: I wish I knew more about the philosophy and beliefs that surrounded the basis of this book, because I thought, though they were somewhat insane and disturbing, that they were fascinating. The surreal storyline and characters drive the quick read forth to make it exponentially more powerful, leading to an amazing climax. The book is certainly better than the movie, and in the case of this film, that is saying a lot. If you're looking for something to read on a plane or in an afternoon or something, pick this up.
Rating: Summary: Disturbingly Appealing Narrative Review: Being an avid fan of the movie adaptation of this movie, I simply had to have the book. Initially, I bought this book just to get a bit more insight into the movie. What I bought - however - is a completely new story. I loved the movie, but the original novel version is so much better on so many levels. The narrator's mental ramblings are brought out through clever use of language, so that the reader feels like this narrator could be any average Joe walking down the street - which is, of course, part of Palahniuk's message, I believe.The insightful, profound commentary on nihilism and fascinating glimpse into the lives of today's younger generation is not just thought-provoking, it's thought-changing. When I finished this book I felt like walking up to Chuck Palahniuk and shaking his hand. This is a fantastic literary achievement. For those who are unfamiliar with the story of Fight Club, I will now try to explain the gist of the story, without giving too much away. The book focuses on a 30 year old, male, insomniac with a dangerous burning desire for change. This narrator hates his job, his life, and everything he has come to depend upon. Enter Tyler Durden. Tyler shows our narrating friend a way to release his anger and frustration through what can be best described as "therapeutic violence". The idea catches on, and before long they have teamed up to lead a Fight Club every Sunday in the basement of a bar. But it's not long before the narrator is completely desensitised to violence, and thus searches for something more dangerous - something more self-destructive. As the narrator's life spirals out of control, and each day blurs into the next, he discovers that Tyler is more than "enthusiastic" about Fight Club. He has plans - big plans. But that's not all that's strange about Tyler... I'll stop there before I reveal too much. Hopefully the brief plot description has given you the urge to purchase this book. I certainly didn't regret my choice to buy it. Nick
Rating: Summary: Amazing Read!!! Review: This is by far one of the best books that I have ever read. I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. I saw the movie when it came out, and loved it. When I found out that the movie was based on this novel, I just had to read it. I love the attitude of the narrator in this story. It is one that you just have to read in order to understand. I also read Survivor and loved it as well. Chuck is a great author and I will defanitaly be reading more of his books soon!
Rating: Summary: Deeply Philosophical, Disturbingly Unbalanced Review: This is a story that is deeply philosophical in nature regarding the events and the introspections of the character, however this mixed with the disturbing psychological ongoings makes for a fantastic read that is interesting, brilliantly articulated philosophy and distrubingly captivating psychosis.
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