Who is Chuck Palahniuk?

Chuck Palahniuk (pronounced PALL-uh-nik) is a nihilistic author best known as the guy that wrote Fight Club. Born Charles Michael Palahniuk, he received his journalism degree from the University of Oregon in 1986. Since then he has worked as everything from a technical writer to a diesel mechanic while finding his writing chops. In the mid-90's he completed his first novel, Invisible Monsters, but was unable to find a publisher.

Funny enough, publishers would claim Invisible Monsters was too dark and disturbing. Eventually, people would read him just for those very things. Luckily he didn't give up and his second attempt, Fight Club, found the early interest that Invisible Monsters could not garner including a movie deal. Despite less than stellar box office sales, the film managed to get rave critical reviews and develop a huge cult following. Palahniuk himself would develop a cult as his next novels, Survivor and Invisible Monsters, were quickly published. The fans he cultivated in those early days still exist to this very day - going by the very apt title The Cult.

What is Chuck Palahniuk's style?

Palahniuk presents dark plots of transgressional fiction and satire using a postmodern and minimalistic style. For those of you scratching your heads in confusion, I'll explain it in layman's terms. Palahniuk writes about fucked up shit in a way that is more about crazy stories and less about vivid description. Most of his writing involves characters who break from the norms of society and nothing (and I mean nothing) is off-limits.

Palahniuk is extremely critical of capitalism and society in general. Without ever really writing a novel about class struggles, he paints a picture that disparages the rich and seemingly praises the poor despite the deep flaws they often possess. It would seem from the surface that Palahniuk would rather destroy society than save it. He claims to be a misunderstood romantic, but the word nihilist comes up time and time again when describing him.

Many people notice a difference in his writing after his novel Lullaby. He definitely has become increasingly more experimental. His novel Haunted was written as a frame story by nineteen distinct characters that Palahniuk channeled unique styles into. Rant was written as an oral biography (similar to World War Z) and Pygmy, while technically another epistolary novel, is written entirely as if the narrator speaks English as a second or third language.

Why should I care about Palahniuk's work?

While his later works have been very polarizing for even his most hardcore fans, his early works are counted amongst the best American writing of the last two decades. His novels will appeal to those who have an appreciation for dark humor on the gallows level. History will probably end up viewing him as social misfit akin to Hunter S. Thompson and Bret Easton Ellis. Hollywood already loves him with his novels Fight Club and Choke adapted. Possible adaptations of Diary, Invisible Monsters, and Survivor are rumored to be on the way.

What authors or works are similar to Palahniuk's?

While it is debatable who he is most similar to, a short list would include the following:

• William S. Burroughs - Naked Lunch
• Hunter S. Thompson - Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas
• Bret Easton Elis - American Psycho & Rules of Attraction
• Hubert Selby - Requiem for a Dream
• Anthony Burgess - A Clockwork Orange
• Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse Five & Cat's Cradle
• Irvine Welsh - Trainspotting
• Craig Davidson - Rust and Bone
• Charles Bukowski - Post Office
• Kathryn Dunn - Geek Love

Anything Else?

My favorite thing about Chuck Palahniuk is his short story "Guts." I read it first in Playboy (where he frequently contributes) and again when it was included as a story in Haunted. You can read the story itself on The Cult's website. Before you do though, just let me warn you it is Chuck at his best and purportedly has caused close to sixty people to faint during live readings. Even if you don't buy the fainting claim, you may remember it as the story that recently got a teacher fired when he got his 11th grade class read it.

How would one get started reading Chuck?

I'd recommend you read the short story "Guts" that I listed above. If you can handle that, then you can handle anything else he'll throw at you. If you end up liking "Guts" you're in for a real treat. For new readers, I'd recommend sticking to Fight Club, Survivor, and Choke. I'd equally recommend staying away from Pygmy, his non-fiction works, and Snuff until you're accustomed to his writing. Haunted and Rant also could be giant hits or misses for those not familiar with The Cult.

So go on, pick up a Palahniuk book. The Cult is always looking for new initiates.