There's a great article about Chuck in the May issue of the Advocate.

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid54713.asp

(Did y'all know he was gay?)

Quoted Text (Did y'all know he was gay?)

Not to sound mean, but every Palaniuk fan knows this. He's pretty open about it.

At any rate, just thought I'd comment on this thread because I finished up Haunted. All I can say is that its a must read for any writer. the stories in that book are incredible, especially the nightmare box. in all actuality, "guts" is just the tip of the iceberg. you've really got to read the entire book.

Quoted from albinopenguin At any rate, just thought I'd comment on this thread because I finished up Haunted. All I can say is that its a must read for any writer. the stories in that book are incredible, especially the nightmare box. in all actuality, "guts" is just the tip of the iceberg. you've really got to read the entire book.

I read "Haunted" over my recent vacation.

"Guts" -- the first story in the book -- is a brutal slap in the face that really gets your attention -- but to me, the remainder of the book fails to live up to the promise of that first story.

There is some great work that follows -- don't get me wrong -- but some of it is just silly, too.  That foot massage story springs to mind.

The narrative that ties these stories together is also a bit odd -- it is not realistic, but I do not think it was meant to be realistic -- and what he was trying to say with those segments kind of eluded me.

Fascinating narrative structure, though.  It was seldom a dull read, but uneven overall.

I think he peaked at Fight Club, Bertrum. Choke was pretty solid too. But I think he's past his best from what I can gather from the lack of buzz around his later stuff.

Quoted from Death Monkey Loved both. And Guts did certainly leave me with the taste of blood in my mouth. But an amazing read. It made me queasy in a way I haven't felt since I read a short story called Child's Play by Villy Sorensen, about three young kids home alone who decide to play doctor when their friend hurts his knee. The only thing you need to know about the story can be said in one word: Amputation. It's in the anthology of short stories "Fine Frights: Stories that scared me" by Ramsey Campbell. When we read the story in high-school had to be excused because I felt like throwing up.

Oh man, Guts was fantastically disgusting. I don't think I've ever been so physically grossed out by a short story before.

Oh, do you know if they still have Fine Frights: Stories That Scared Me to purchase? I looked on Amazon and saw on old paperback version, but most of them are just cheap used copies.

I didn't know he was gay. I'm not the type of bloke who cares.

The man's handy with a phrase and to me, that's all that matters. I did go out with a young lady who went to one of his readings. I'm not sure which piece it was but it involved a young man in a swimming pool and his antics near the pool filter. Apparently several walked out. I laughed my ass off when she told the story. Jesus!

I just thank the man for Fight Club. And for all that followed. We need more like him.

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