Misty's fate

Does no one have an opinion on this? If you disagree, write something - I'd just like to hear some other viewpoints. The thing that sticks in my mind is the two skeletons - if they weren't Constance and Maura, then who where they, and what would be the significance in including them in the book? If that is where the previous artists ended up, I would think the islanders would try to make Misty's fate the same.

Just finished the book a few days ago and think you have a really good point.
I think Tabbi left Misty in the mausoleum to die and here's why: the positions of Maura's and Constance's skeletons. One is curled up on the floor, the other is sitting against the wall. They must've been left there to die because no one would position their bodies that way when burying them.

Tabbi MUST have left her in there to die. It makes perfect sense, it was the first thing that came to mind when she discribed the two skeletons. But then how did she get the diary to Chuck? Mailed it before? I don't know...

WOW. What a contrast.

I thought Nora Adams was a real person who sent Chuck that letter, which in turn, proved to be inspiration and the idea for DIARY sprung from there.

Seeing as how he does open the book with a [I]Where do you get your Inspiration[/I] double-page spread.

Oh, and hi. I'm new here :D

Maybe I need to reread it, but diary left a lot of unanswered questions for me. I hadn't even thought about the tomb, I just thought he put it in there and then had nothing else to work with and left it there. I don't know, I just found too many things unsatifactory about the book. I do like the explanaiton of they were there, however.

[QUOTE=NoPurchaseNecessary]Just finished the book a few days ago and think you have a really good point.
I think Tabbi left Misty in the mausoleum to die and here's why: the positions of Maura's and Constance's skeletons. One is curled up on the floor, the other is sitting against the wall. They must've been left there to die because no one would position their bodies that way when burying them.[/QUOTE]

In the same diary entry that she sees the bodies; before that, she mentions the 'pugilist position' how they look like babies about to be born(fetal position.) how that's how you look if you die in a fire.

In the diary of the last artist, the entries stop before the art show. My guess is they died in the fire - which would explain the position of the skeletons.

Another reason I don't think Tabbi left her in the tomb is because the letter was dated about a week after she wrote the last entry, and it was sent from tecumsah(if i remember right.) And how hard would it be to overpower a thirteen year old? But then maybe it would've been hard considering she lost so much weight.

[QUOTE]Chuck made Misty into a tragic hero - she dies at the end & is betrayed by her daughter, but she exposed the story just before that occured. Otherwise, the ending is simply too positive for Chuck's writing - the main character saves the day (or saves future days), AND escapes to live the simple life in Tecumsah? I don't think so.[/QUOTE]

I'm not familiar with Chuck's writing(First book of his I've read), but I think the fact that she is the third artist caught in this trap, and that it's probably going to happen again is morbid enough.

On a personal note; I really liked the book. He researched it very well and it was nice to read about arty stuff that you think no one else really gives a crap about.

I definatly agree with you...

Only thing I think you said wrong is "She sends it home for safe keeping"

I think what she actually does is sends it to Chuck with her home address (from when she is a kid "Tabbi, we'll go live with your grandmother") because she believes that they will end up back at her home. She doesn't plan on Tabbi betraying her. So she sends it to chuck with that name and address, because that's where she believes she will be.

Re: "I think Maura and Constance were put in the mausoleum after they died as a way to immortalize them, or pay homage to them, for what they sacrificed for the island of Waytansea."

It says the mosoleum looked like a bank, probably because Maura and Constance (and Misty) were the island's cash cow.

I think: Imagine the lawsuit if he did?
Anyway, a diary of what?
The events in Diary?

In the Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan, there's a character who keeps returning to be a savior. Each time this person returns, their life is pretty much the same, completing a cyclic orbit of time. But it's possible that the life each time isn't *exactly* the same, that the orbit is actually one of a widening spiral that will eventually stop cycling and end the pattern.

It seemed that Palahniuk was hinting at this--that with every generation, the Savior gets a little closer to ending the pattern. The first time around, the Savior dies in the fire. The second, they're led to the maseuleum and left there, finally dying sitting up against a wall. This time, the Savior escapes and publishes the diary, maybe ensuring that, next time, the Savior will know what they're in for, and won't fall into the same trap.

*shrugs* I don't know if that's what he meant when writing, but it works for me.

Actually, so do I.
You are my current favourite noob.

I think that the story was told in it's completeness, unlike the other diaries indicates that Misty was able to escape the same fate.

I have to go back and reread, but I think there is a point (perhaps around the time that the other diaries ended) that it began to be written in retrospect, rather than 'real time'. Partially because while she is painting, she is blindfolded and rarely left alone. She is consumed by the need to paint. That the sequence of events are somewhat surreal seemed to me that there is distance, in time and space from the actual events.

If she has become 'Nora', it would explain the voice of the diary being in the third person. Although I do think at the beginning of the diary, it is written this way because of her unhappiness with her life. She does not want to be who she has become, and it continues when she is no longer Misty.

[QUOTE=MemnochSedai]In the Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan, there's a character who keeps returning to be a savior. Each time this person returns, their life is pretty much the same, completing a cyclic orbit of time. But it's possible that the life each time isn't *exactly* the same, that the orbit is actually one of a widening spiral that will eventually stop cycling and end the pattern.

It seemed that Palahniuk was hinting at this--that with every generation, the Savior gets a little closer to ending the pattern. The first time around, the Savior dies in the fire. The second, they're led to the maseuleum and left there, finally dying sitting up against a wall. This time, the Savior escapes and publishes the diary, maybe ensuring that, next time, the Savior will know what they're in for, and won't fall into the same trap.[/QUOTE]

My thoughts fell out of my head and smashed on the linoleum floor after reading this post. Bravo, you really whacked a nail on the head.

[QUOTE=Detached]For years I have been interested in reincarnation. At first I thought that it was a wonderful concept. Oh! to die knowing that you will have the chance to do it right the next time. To live again! Why live through this misery when we can simply end it and start fresh? I really fucked this one up didn't I? That's OK, I'll do better in the next life.
[B]The truth is that reincarnation has no basis on fact. There is no proof that it exists.[/B] I have finished reading Diary today, and was very disappointed to find that the whole story revolves around a concept that is based on a myth.
That is not to say that I didn't enjoy the book. In fact, I loved it! Done in true Chuck fashion. Peace~[/QUOTE]

Is there proof that any spiritual/religious concepts exist? Heaven, Hell, Hades, Elysian fields, reincarnation?

It's not about what you can prove. It's about what you [B]have faith in.[/B]

[QUOTE=owenwarland]Is there proof that any spiritual/religious concepts exist? Heaven, Hell, Hades, Elysian fields, reincarnation?

It's not about what you can prove. It's about what you [B]have faith in.[/B][/QUOTE]

As a person who was born and raised a Catholic, I believe that I am qualified to reply to this comment with some authority. No where in The Bible is the word reincarnation mentioned. I agree with your comment about faith being a major part in any religious concept. Faith is a repeated word throughout The Bible. Not that I am a religious nut or anything like that. Just thought I'd mention it. Have a nice day.

Fight Club is a damn good movie - but it's not his best BOOK. If I had to pick his best I'd say Surviver, NOT Fight Club.

[QUOTE=pmoll2004]I think that this Nora chick actually did write a diary. which was true events. then mailed it to Chuck. Chuck being a fiction writer was inspired (where do you get yoru inspiration?) and turned her story into a fiction interesting somewhat horror story. Thats just me. Feel free to leave opinions or elaborate on this thought.[/QUOTE]

Sorry for getting into this so late...
I think this is ONE of the many ways to read the book, but I think it's one one the few which can explain everything.
I mean: you're right. And: thank you.

After re-reading Haunted, i came back to Diary (i missed something in it), to find the two books are connected. Please check my full theory abou Haunted in that forum's section.
Both books fool the reader: they let you think you're reading something 'TRUE' but in the end they reveal you that everything was 'FALSE', or, better 'ALTERED'.

What you don't understand you can make mean anything.

I though Diary was a bad book. Now it's become one of my favorites.

--

morevover, speaking about the number of reincarnations... the extraiordinary ability of Misty recall Leonardo, and Giotto (you remember the story of the perfect hand-made circle?)... Misty is all the great artists if the past, or most of them. She is THE artist.

" The truth is that reincarnation has no basis on fact. There is no proof that it exists."

There's no proof anything in the bible existed either. You can't point me to any specific evidence that conclusively proves it is factual.

I, for one, am Christian and have faith in it ... but I can't prove it scientifically.