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Chuck Palahniuk - 7/19/2008 4:16:22 AM
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aslouie
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Since the film adaptation of Fight Club, I've been hearing a lot about this hip, new novelist, whom I'm wondering if it's a fair comparison to call the FC author this generation's Bret Easton Ellis. Much have been described about Palahniuk's sensibilities, themes concerning male identity crisis, absurdity (check out the Choke--both the book and soon-to-be-released film), and possibly nightmarish urban issues, like consumerism.
On a personal note, when I recalled that now-famous quote from Fight Club's protagonist (Tyler?), lamenting how he's part of a generation of men raised by women, I can't help but feel a tragic sense of irony that Palahniuk had fulfilled the very thing he satirizes--when he admits to being in a same-sex relationship; well that, and how I'm starting to question if the male-bonding pugilism (found in Fight Club) is in a way, reinforces the sort of emasculation, exploitation and possibly consumerist nonsense it sought to rebel against (UFC/Kimbo Slice fans, anyone?)--not to mention the fact in one interview by either Natalie Portman or Jennifer Love Hewitt, the actress thought it's rather sexy or cool to see guys pummel each other silly! 
It kind of makes me wonder as a Christian man (especially of Asian ancestry, read: of the lower-rungs of the sexual hierarchy) if for us guys, taking part in our own fight clubs actually reinforces that matriarchal/feminist-lead, consumerist exploitation and emasculation of men! 
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/19/2008 10:10:23 AM
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Auben
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Hmm..didn't think he was much younger (if at all) than Brent Ellis, although perhaps you mean current relevance vs. Ellis' relevance to the culture of the early '90s.
In general I think if men absent themselves, whether it be passively or aggressively, they are reinforcing that 'society' is made/controlled by those they are leaving in power. As a woman I don't really think our society is matriarchal just yet, but I do think those men are leaving society to the Donald Trumps and Ashton Kuchner's of the world.
I think Palahniuk's fantasy is that by dropping out he is changing society.
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Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/19/2008 9:16:21 PM
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Random
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From: Zipperhead
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quote:
ORIGINAL: aslouie
I'm wondering if it's a fair comparison to call the FC author this generation's Bret Easton Ellis.
No, it's not a fair comparison. BEE is nowhere near the talent that Palahniuk is. American Psycho is a brilliant novel, but nothing else he wrote measures up. Everything Palahniuk writes is genius. I would recommend "Lullaby" and "Rant" as two of my favorites.
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"That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false." -- Valery
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/22/2008 4:59:20 AM
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henny
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The only thing I ever read of his was "Choke."
I wasn't impressed.
I know he has his admirers, but it just seemed like he confuses "wit" with merely being shocking and irreverent just for shock's sake. The writing itself wasn't particularly good either.
Maybe his other novels are better, but I wasn't impressed with him based on that one.
I've read a few reviews of his newest novel, and they've all been very good and the novel itself sounds hilarious, so I might give him a second chance when that hits paper back.
I've never read BEE, but Choke reminded me a bit of Irvine Welsh -the guy who wrote Trainspotting. They have a similar writing style, although I liked Trainspotting a lot better than Choke.
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/22/2008 12:55:42 PM
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Auben
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Hmm..I wouldn't put the word genius alongside Palahniuk but I know several men who seem to think he is the best thing to come along in awhile.
Eh.
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Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/23/2008 6:22:50 PM
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Random
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From: Zipperhead
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I think it's closer to the truth to call CP this generation's Kurt Vonnegut.
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"That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false." -- Valery
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/23/2008 8:04:13 PM
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Kyrillos
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Ooo...that hurts me so much to read. Vonnegut is one of my all-time favorite authors, and what I've read of Palahniuk ("Choke") was just trash to me! If there's something deeper or more substantial going on in his writings, I have certainly not come across it yet.
Oh well. To each their own, I guess.
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/24/2008 6:37:46 AM
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Random
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Vonnegut is my all-time favorite author as well, but anyone who has read him extensively knows that he could be a bit "blue" at times.
CP is more explicit at times, but that's also a reflection of the culture he is writing for. You have to look at the author in the context of the culture when they were writing.
KV was brilliant, but a lot of his work was absurdist, and the same is true of CP.
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"That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false." -- Valery
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/31/2008 6:38:56 AM
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Random
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From: Zipperhead
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If anyone is this generation's KV it is probably Douglas Copeland, rather than CP. That being said, I stand by my earlier comment, CP is closer to KV than to BEE.
Have you read "Breakfast of Champions?" While the underlying story is brilliant, a large portion of that book is simply there to shock and gross people out.
I have read everything KV has written multiple times, including rereading all of it just this year, and the comparison is closer than you think, especially if you read some of KV's less well known books.
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"That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false." -- Valery
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 7/31/2008 11:08:07 AM
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Auben
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While I can see how you got the comparison, like Miasma I don't think it's as accurate as you do.
And I'm sure we three have all read a lot of Vonnegut.
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Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
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RE: Chuck Palahniuk - 8/1/2008 9:59:22 AM
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EStan
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I found "Diary" intriguing. "Lullaby" had potential, but ended poorly.
quote:
It kind of makes me wonder as a Christian man (especially of Asian ancestry, read: of the lower-rungs of the sexual hierarchy) if for us guys, taking part in our own fight clubs actually reinforces that matriarchal/feminist-lead, consumerist exploitation and emasculation of men!
That's a fascinating premise, ASLouie. I think you're definitely onto something. The flip-side, of course, is that when we, as Christian men, engage in something intended to lead us BACK to our biblical role (Promise Keepers, Men At The Cross), we're called misogynistic.
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Eternal Father, grant that through the tears of repentance I may see more clearly the brightness and glories of the saving cross.
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