Published by Anchor Books, 2002

Summary: The novel by Chuck Palahnuik revolves around the past and present of Victor Mancini – a sex addict who balances his work in a 16th century live museum, overcoming a 12-step recovery program, choking for money, and paying for his mother’s medical bills. It flashes to and fro Victor’s present and past, with Victor’s present narrated in the first-person point of view – a characteristic style of Palahnuik’s. As Victor gets stuck in the fourth step of his recovery program, he finds out more and more about his past and his Mommy.

Rating:

It’s a really good novel. A little difficult, but really good. I suppose the difficulty stems from the very pornographic manner of Palanhuik’s description of scenes. The grotesque pictures that he paints with his words are almost unbearable – I almost gave up. The book also makes you, as a reader, struggle because it can challenge your belief. There are some sacrilegious remarks that made me want to throw the book away!

“Sinful” isn’t the right word, but it’s the first word that comes to mind (This line recurs throughout the novel)

But despite all this, why do I say that it’s a really good novel? Palahnuik sprawls out before a character superficially addicted to earthly pleasures. However, you will discover the depth of Victor’s character.In the end of the novel, you would ask yourself, “So what’s this really about?”. Goodness? Choice? Incontinence? Family? The work is so rich and deep! There are many things to be discussed!

Palahnuik is vivid in descriptions which can sometimes be disturbing. He is between graphic and pornographic, stream of consciousness and monologue. This, however, is what makes him stand out among everyone. It’s his style – and this style is brilliantly shown in the novel.