Brand new to the Palahniuk universe...
Hello, I have never had the opportunity to read any of his works, but recently came across plot summaries for all of Palahniuk's books and am fascinated by them all. Money is tight and I can really only afford one book at the moment. I have seen the movie Fight Club, so I will probably not choose it first. If you would be so kind as to let me know what your favorite work is and why (nothing specific, just a vague reason; good plot twist, crazy ending, unforgettable character, etc.) I would be greatly appreciative as it would really help me decide where a good place to start off might be.
Yeah, I agree with Mirka, survivors a good one to warm up with if you intend going on a chucky spree.
Are English libraries different from ones in the states. If not then partake in some free reading at your local.
mirka is a poop
Morey, stop it.
My first Palahniuk reading experience was with Haunted which is an interesting introduction to say the least. But I would still probably third Survivor. All the energy and black humor of FC is there in abundance, and it holds you right to the end. Enjoy.
I'm fairly new to Chuck as well. I had watched Fight Club, but didn't read any of his books until last year when I picked up a copy of Lullaby. I've since read Diary, Choke, Invisible Monsters, Haunted, Survivor, Rant, and Snuff in that order.
I'm one of those people who, once they find an author they like, has to read everything they can find by them. So if you're anything like me, it doesn't really matter which one you read first. Survivor seems to be a favorite among many of the people who post here, but I didn't like it as much as some of the others. I'd go with Invisible Monsters myself even though my personal favorite is Rant.
The great thing about Chuck is that, while the themes of his books can be dark and a little twisted, his writing style is almost playful which makes his books fun to read, and Invisible Monsters is a great example of that.
If you are offended by this post, it's probably because you're ugly.
I only read 2 Chuck books. Fight Club (beofor movie) and Choke. Since you don't want FC, go for Choke. I even think Choke is better than FC.
Choke, surely. Or Survivor.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Survivor would be a great first book to read if you don't want fight clubs.
"My hopes lay shattered like a mirror on the floor
I see myself and I look really scattered
But I lived my broken dreams"
- Daniel Johnston
Invisible Monsters is my favorite, it was the first Palahniuk book I read. It's what got me hooked on his writing.
"The sun may burn brightly, and the faces of children may be plump and achingly sweet, but in the air we breathe, in the water we drink and in the food we share, there will always be darkness in the world."
I would suggest Survivor. It's one of the few books I've read more than once.
Good coffee is like drinking Rock and Roll.
I need to reread Survivor and Invisible Monsters.
Invisible Monsters! the twist in the end had my mouth dropped for like 10 minutes. The time line goes all over the place like a Tarintino movie and all collides for the most perfect ending.
im in the minority on this site, but my first experience ala chuck was lullaby, and i thought (and still think) it was a damn fine book.
www.triplebeard.com
http://darkroomreview.blogspot.com
“...There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one's head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people's pain. You ought to have some apprehension that the man you see before you was once even younger than you are now and arrived at his present wretchedness by imperceptible degrees.”
-James Baldwin
Invisible Monsters is my favorite one, but I always recommend Survivor to first timers.
Invisible Monster is my personal favorite, but I suggest starting with Survivor. It was the first one I read. It truly blew my mind at the time. I was snorting and guffawing as I read it. It's much better than FC. Many people don't like IM so I hesitate to direct you to it as your first read.