- Zombie By Chuck Palahniuk Summary
- Chuck Palahniuk Books In Order
- Chuck Palahniuk
- Chuck Palahniuk Zombie
- Chuck Palahniuk Short Stories Pdf
- It's pretty common at this point to find Chuck selecting Playboy as the outlet for his newest short stories. They're really one of the only outlets with the balls to print what he's writing. And god bless them for it. What's not common is for Playboy to then make the story available online. So drop everything you're doing right now and go read Chuck's latest short story ZOMBIE: Read ZOMBIE here!
- TIL Chuck Palahniuk wrote a short story entitled 'Guts,' which is responsible for 73 instances of fainting at his book readings. ( chuckpalahniuk.net ) submitted 6 years ago by js155306.
- A short story: CANNIBAL By Chuck Palahniuk. Sur le site internet, nous utilisons les cookies pour mesurer l’audience du site, pour mettre un module de partage (les boutons twitter, facebook tumblr et autres en bas des articles) et pour l’option gravatar.
- Survivor: A Novel pdf by Chuck Palahniuk I only creedalist left and everyone is dictating his books released in typical palahnuik style. Movie, survivor a novel, survivor a novel chuck palahniuk, the survivor a novel vince flynn, survivor a novel ending, survivor a novel review, survivor a novel quotes, survivor a novel pdf More books.
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Zombie By Chuck Palahniuk Summary
He also confirmed that he is working on a series of original short stories for comics which will appear as one-shots before eventually being collected into a single book. Invisible Monsters. David McCracken (2016) Chuck Palahniuk, Parodist: Postmodern Irony in Six Transgressive Novels. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Damned by Chuck Palahniuk. That many people find to be increasingly disturbing and in the case of the short story, Guts, people have even fainted during public readings.a lot of people. For the record, Guts is one of my very favourite short stories ever. I am a huge Palahniuk fan and although I have appreciated.
Rate this book
See a Problem?
We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk.
Not the book you’re looking for?Preview — Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Haunted is a novel made up of stories: twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you'll ever encounter.
The stories are told by people who have all answered an ad headlined 'Artists Retreat: Abandon your life for three months'. They are led to believe that here they will leave behind all the distractions of 'real life' that are kee...more
The stories are told by people who have all answered an ad headlined 'Artists Retreat: Abandon your life for three months'. They are led to believe that here they will leave behind all the distractions of 'real life' that are kee...more
Paperback, First Anchor Books edition (w/new Afterword), 419 pages
Published April 11th 2006 by Anchor (first published June 21st 2005)
To see what your friends thought of this book,please sign up.
To ask other readers questions aboutHaunted,please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Alex O'BrienAMERICAN PSYCHO by Bret Easton Ellis.
NormanJosie, I had a similar reaction against this book. After about 50 pages I decided there were so many other books I would rather read simply because I…moreJosie, I had a similar reaction against this book. After about 50 pages I decided there were so many other books I would rather read simply because I did not care about any of the characters or their situation. 'Vile trash' may be a bit harsh, but at times that's what I felt I was reading. (less)
The Most Disturbing Book Ever Written 2,350 books — 8,177 voters
Books That Should Be Made Into Movies 28,644 books — 66,126 voters
More lists with this book...
Rating details
|
Aug 26, 2009Paul Bryant rated it did not like it
I'm only on p 75 of this thing and I'm about to hurl it at the wall. What is it supposed to be? Does this guy really think these lame parodies are funny? This is from the section called 'Slumming', which is about rich people, a couple of whom are pretending to be poor :
'Inky always said being absent is the new being present.' (p 69)
'Poverty, Inky says, is the new wealth.' (p71)
'Social divers, Inky says, are the new social climbers.' (p71)
'Nobodies are the new celebrity.' (p72)
'Public is the new...more
'Inky always said being absent is the new being present.' (p 69)
'Poverty, Inky says, is the new wealth.' (p71)
'Social divers, Inky says, are the new social climbers.' (p71)
'Nobodies are the new celebrity.' (p72)
'Public is the new...more
Sep 30, 2007Lex Larson rated it really liked it
Apparently working in a vet clinic for the better part of 5 years is precisely the recipe required to inure one to the effects of Palahniuk's writing.
You'll see tons of 'OMG SO GWOSS!!' reviews here, but this ain't one of 'em. I was entertained. All the blood-and-guts and bodily fluids in the world don't really gross me out. What really sickens me is people.
And that's what Palahniuk does best: he writes about the dark sides of people and how precious little it takes to make those sides surface....more
You'll see tons of 'OMG SO GWOSS!!' reviews here, but this ain't one of 'em. I was entertained. All the blood-and-guts and bodily fluids in the world don't really gross me out. What really sickens me is people.
And that's what Palahniuk does best: he writes about the dark sides of people and how precious little it takes to make those sides surface....more
Aug 13, 2007Carrie rated it it was amazing
This book is vile. It is disgusting. No matter how much you can take, you will squirm and say 'Oh My GOD!' out loud on the bus or plane or couch or wherever it is you read. It is a nasty book. But Haunted is so much more than that and so worth reading.
Haunted is set in a drab old theater, past it's prime, boarded up, invisible, and impenetrable to the outside world. Inside the theater are 23 characters. 23 people with names like the Earl of Slander and Agent Tattletale. Each character is introd...more
Haunted is set in a drab old theater, past it's prime, boarded up, invisible, and impenetrable to the outside world. Inside the theater are 23 characters. 23 people with names like the Earl of Slander and Agent Tattletale. Each character is introd...more
Jul 17, 2007Cloudhidden rated it did not like it
This is honestly the worst book I have ever read. I finished it, only because of my amazement at how bad it was and how it never deviated from that.
I was intrigued by the premise: a group of writers volunteer to go on a retreat to write their masterpiece. The book has a chapter of plot, followed by either a poem or short story from one of the participants. Sounds cool!
The book falls apart immediately. All of the stories/poems are obviously written by the same person. They share themes, style, an...more
I was intrigued by the premise: a group of writers volunteer to go on a retreat to write their masterpiece. The book has a chapter of plot, followed by either a poem or short story from one of the participants. Sounds cool!
The book falls apart immediately. All of the stories/poems are obviously written by the same person. They share themes, style, an...more
This book is incredibly uneven, that's its downfall. There are some really good moments, some really bad moments, and one or two truly brillant ones. Looking at it as what it essentially is; a collection of short stories, it's really no better or worse than any other short story collection, and actually should get extra points for its brazen audacity. The unifying material that links all of the stories together is terribly weak, and is what ultimately sinks the book.
The first story 'Guts' is the...more
Sep 19, 2007Cynthia rated it really liked itThe first story 'Guts' is the...more
Recommends it for: shock-seekers and Palahniuk fans.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
Instead of reviewing the entire novel, I will just be focusing on my personal favourite chapter 'Guts'.
To date, there have been 53 known occurrences of audience members fainting during readings of “Guts”. This doesn’t surprise me at all, knowing the repulsive content of the story.
'Guts' is your mother, father, preacher and teacher shaking that disapproving finger at self pleasure. Needless to say, this short story will have you thinking twice about creeping that wondering...more
Instead of reviewing the entire novel, I will just be focusing on my personal favourite chapter 'Guts'.
To date, there have been 53 known occurrences of audience members fainting during readings of “Guts”. This doesn’t surprise me at all, knowing the repulsive content of the story.
'Guts' is your mother, father, preacher and teacher shaking that disapproving finger at self pleasure. Needless to say, this short story will have you thinking twice about creeping that wondering...more
Warning: The cover of this edition glows in the dark. Do not place on your bed stand unless you want to have a heart attack. I speak from experience.
There are 21 short stories in Haunted. Some of them are amazing such as the notorious 'Guts'. Others are so-so. A couple of them are just boring. All of them are written to shock yet the brevity of the tales keeps both writer and reader focused. If this was a short story collection, I would rate it a strong three stars.
Unfortunately it is not. Palah...more
There are 21 short stories in Haunted. Some of them are amazing such as the notorious 'Guts'. Others are so-so. A couple of them are just boring. All of them are written to shock yet the brevity of the tales keeps both writer and reader focused. If this was a short story collection, I would rate it a strong three stars.
Unfortunately it is not. Palah...more
Aug 16, 2007Rachel rated it did not like it
This is chuck's worst work. It pains me to say that, but its just true. a group of would-be writers on a writer's retreat each is given the chance to tell a story. The stories are all basically gross for the sake of being gross with little to no redeeming value.
One infamous story involving a pool was so hard to get through I had to take 3 breaks. Its so descriptive and disgusting I had to take a breather for fear of vomiting (i am not alone in this, he read this particular story at signings and...more
One infamous story involving a pool was so hard to get through I had to take 3 breaks. Its so descriptive and disgusting I had to take a breather for fear of vomiting (i am not alone in this, he read this particular story at signings and...more
Feb 16, 2015April Cote rated it really liked it
'My goal was just to write some new form of horror story, something based on the ordinary world. Without supernatural monsters or magic. This would be a book you wouldn't want to keep next to your bed. A book that would be a trapdoor down into some dark place. A place only you could go, alone, when you opened the cover.
Because only books have that power.'
Chuck is right; you don't want to keep this book by your bed. You don't want to get up in the middle of the night and see is covet glowing at y...more
Because only books have that power.'
Chuck is right; you don't want to keep this book by your bed. You don't want to get up in the middle of the night and see is covet glowing at y...more
May 30, 2007Jeremy rated it it was ok
People who are just trying to be gross can't help but be entertaining, no matter how see-thru their intent. You can't ignore the little boy who's trying to wipe his boogers on you, and when his parents have finally collared him, with anger and gag relex fully suppressed you have to admit the whole thing was actually pretty funny.
Chuck Paloonyhoonyhookiak is just trying to wipe his boogers on you. When he's done with that, he'll gladly exhaust whatever other bodily fluids happen to be available...more
Chuck Paloonyhoonyhookiak is just trying to wipe his boogers on you. When he's done with that, he'll gladly exhaust whatever other bodily fluids happen to be available...more
Sep 20, 2014Edward Lorn rated it really liked it
First off, this is not the short story collection I was expecting. It is actually a single-author antho-novel hybrid fulla leprechaun jism and other awesome rainbow flavors. Wait... what? No, I mean to say, never write reviews while on Norco, Soma, and about 2 hours' worth of sleep outta 36.
I've been trying to catch some Zs since I got home from my latest hospital stay and it's not going so well. So what's better than fighting sleep? Drug-addled reviews. Raise the roof and down the proof!
Standou...more
Mar 01, 2016PUMPKINHEAD rated it it was amazingI've been trying to catch some Zs since I got home from my latest hospital stay and it's not going so well. So what's better than fighting sleep? Drug-addled reviews. Raise the roof and down the proof!
Standou...more
Shelves: great-read, horror, gritty, gut-punch, best-books, creepy
My God, what to say about this one? Probably this: Haunted was messed up and engaging to the fullest.
I'm always floored when an author serves up something genuinely different. In a book market where so many offerings are so goddamn painfully similar (right down to the titles... can we get another book with the word 'Girl' or 'Dark' in the title please?) it's a real treat when you read something that stands out and rises above the rest for not being like the others. It's even more rewarding when...more
I'm always floored when an author serves up something genuinely different. In a book market where so many offerings are so goddamn painfully similar (right down to the titles... can we get another book with the word 'Girl' or 'Dark' in the title please?) it's a real treat when you read something that stands out and rises above the rest for not being like the others. It's even more rewarding when...more
The book was a difficult read. Even more difficult to review. I struggled with how many stars to give it to the point where I've waited a few weeks to even write a review. It wasn't my favorite book by any means but I didn't hate it either. What it did do was stir so much visceral emotion that I haven't been able to pick up another book since. A reaction that intense warrants recognition so I reluctantly opted for 4 stars purely on its dark influence over my joy of reading (or lack there of now)...more
Jan 24, 2008Patrick rated it it was amazing
I was really excited about this one after being disappointed with 'Lullaby' and 'Diary.' Basically, it's a book of short stories each by a fictional author, each introduced by a poem about the writer, and linked together by mini-chapters about the writers' retreat they are all on. Trapped in a house and running out of food, they write, record, and videotape their experience, certain that when they are finally rescued, they will all become media darlings destined for reality tv fame, if any of th...more
May 02, 2008Toby rated it it was ok · review of another edition
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Dec 17, 2012Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it really liked it
Chuck Palahniuk Books In Order
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
4.5 Stars
Feb 14, 2014Shelby *trains flying monkeys* rated it liked it4.5 Stars
WRITER’S RETREAT:...more
ABANDON YOUR LIFE FOR THREE MONTHS.
Just disappear. Leave behind everything that keeps you from creating your masterpiece. Your job and family and home, all those obligations and distractions – put them on hold for three months. Live with like-minded people in a setting that supports total immersion in your work. Food and lodging included free for those who qualify. Gamble a small fraction of your life on the
Recommended to Shelby *trains flying monkeys* by: Kelly (and the Book Boar)
This book is more of a 3.5 star read.
A group of people agree to participate in a 'Writer's Retreat'. Three months, food and lodging included, while you complete your masterpiece.
The stories begin with probably one of the best, most shocking short stories I've ever read-called Guts. You just have to see for yourself on that one. Some of the stories the people share are more interesting than others. That's why the 3.5 stars instead of higher. The thing that amazed me about this book was the way...more
A group of people agree to participate in a 'Writer's Retreat'. Three months, food and lodging included, while you complete your masterpiece.
The stories begin with probably one of the best, most shocking short stories I've ever read-called Guts. You just have to see for yourself on that one. Some of the stories the people share are more interesting than others. That's why the 3.5 stars instead of higher. The thing that amazed me about this book was the way...more
Disturbing. Nauseating. Twisted. Shocking. And at times, Funny. Yes, funny.
How is it possible that this book can be all of those things? I don't know, it just is and it works.
If you are the kind of person that likes a story that is different and strange, this is it.
It's the most disturbing book I've read by Palahniuk. The book is actually 23 stories that on face value are not connected at all. However, in this story they are connected and are woven together to make a greater and larger story....more
May 22, 2012Sentimental Surrealist rated it did not like itHow is it possible that this book can be all of those things? I don't know, it just is and it works.
If you are the kind of person that likes a story that is different and strange, this is it.
It's the most disturbing book I've read by Palahniuk. The book is actually 23 stories that on face value are not connected at all. However, in this story they are connected and are woven together to make a greater and larger story....more
Shelves: contemporary, ghosts-goblins-those-guys, college, satire, literature, read-2012, science-fiction, short-stories, quite-some-misanthropy-there, novels
The literary equivalent of belching the alphabet.
Sep 03, 2013Danielle. marked it as d-n-f Shelves: straight-to-davy-jones-locker, good-lord-wtf-is-this, troll-award-of-the-year-goes-to, la-da-di-da-di-this-book-is-shitty, not-my-cup-of-tea, what-the-actual-fuck, covers-that-make-you-jizz, i-had-high-hopes-for-this, book-that-lingers
I... I... I just.... WTF?!?!?!
Stopped on page 25 I can't finish this. I... this book is weird and disgusting and gut wrenching. I decided to read this book because I read in a group comment that it was the weirdest thing they've ever read. So I decided to give it a try... no. Just fucking no.
Stories about some kid sodomising himself with a fucking carrot and some Vaseline; a teenager jacking off with some candle wax -- THROUGH HIS PISS HOLE. The storyteller jacking off in a pool hovering over th...more
Stopped on page 25 I can't finish this. I... this book is weird and disgusting and gut wrenching. I decided to read this book because I read in a group comment that it was the weirdest thing they've ever read. So I decided to give it a try... no. Just fucking no.
Stories about some kid sodomising himself with a fucking carrot and some Vaseline; a teenager jacking off with some candle wax -- THROUGH HIS PISS HOLE. The storyteller jacking off in a pool hovering over th...more
May 07, 2016Andrew rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Ok this was a mammoth read- not because of it's 400+ pages or that the author decided to use words which would have scored double points in a Scrabble game - now simply because there is SO much going on. Which is great for a book to read but terrible to comment about when you have a self imposed rule of no spoilers. Well here goes but I promise nothing (apart from a headache)
The book follows a group of less than conventional and stereotypical struggling authors desperate to finish/tell their var...more
The book follows a group of less than conventional and stereotypical struggling authors desperate to finish/tell their var...more
Jun 01, 2012Bill rated it really liked it
True to form, Palahniuk pens some of the most twisted F'd up characterizations in the business. Bizarre and disturbing, for sure. Prolapsed pearl diving, back alley foot jobs, Breather Betty dolls full of love, Punch a mime for $5, the bowling ball bans. What more do you want? Thumectomys, nightmare boxes, crab lice and Sasquatch cycles…yep. It’s in there.
Palahniuk’s style is undeniable. Cutting dialog, over the top eccentric characters, demented plotting, all sprinkled with a generous amounts o...more
Palahniuk’s style is undeniable. Cutting dialog, over the top eccentric characters, demented plotting, all sprinkled with a generous amounts o...more
Chuck Palahniuk
Aug 19, 2008The Dark Krystal rated it it was amazing
Don't be fooled, I may have chosen 5 stars for this novel, but not because I loved it. This book is dynamic.
This novel looks so innocent and harmless, sitting there with it's ghostly lavender and white cover and 'Fight Club' was great, I'll give it a read.
This novel will stretch you to breaking point and beyond what you have ever read before. To give an example, when Chuck Palahniuk gives a public reading of the short story 'Guts', the ambulance shows up before the end of it. People have fainted...more
This novel looks so innocent and harmless, sitting there with it's ghostly lavender and white cover and 'Fight Club' was great, I'll give it a read.
This novel will stretch you to breaking point and beyond what you have ever read before. To give an example, when Chuck Palahniuk gives a public reading of the short story 'Guts', the ambulance shows up before the end of it. People have fainted...more
Hmmm, this is a toughy. I made the mistake of reading a couple of reviews on Haunted while I was halfway through the novel. Needless to say, it didn;t change the way I felt. I can't help but notice that readers of Haunted go to two different extremes in their reviews. Let's face it - you're either a Palahniuk fan or you're not. Anyone that has read a Palahniuk novel before knows what they are getting themselves into. You are going to feel gritty, you're going to feel dirty and you're going to ha...more
Sep 11, 2007Emily rated it really liked it
easily the most disgusting book i've ever read. There's an afterword at the end where he talks about how books are the only medium where you have free range to tell the story however you want to tell it, to say whatever you want to say. Whereas in movies, you're trying to hit a certain audience and your work is censored and edited to a certain extent. Books alow you to travel to this deep, dark secret private place inside yourself. That's why he writes. A very compelling explanation. I think one...more
Dec 08, 2013Beth rated it it was amazing
Onstage, instead of a spotlight, a movie fragment
I had no expectations when I started to read this book, well yeah I did I expected not to like it and most of all I expected not to 'get' it. It's been on my to read list for an age now and I've always put it off expecting it to be one of those cool books that all your friends read and you feel dumb because it just goes right over your head. And before I started I did scroll through a few reviews here on Goodreads and saw that it had a lot of very...more
Jun 05, 2013El rated it I had no expectations when I started to read this book, well yeah I did I expected not to like it and most of all I expected not to 'get' it. It's been on my to read list for an age now and I've always put it off expecting it to be one of those cool books that all your friends read and you feel dumb because it just goes right over your head. And before I started I did scroll through a few reviews here on Goodreads and saw that it had a lot of very...more
Chuck Palahniuk Zombie
it was ok Shelves: 21st-centurylit, biddles, library-borrow
I adore scary. I love being scared by movies and books. I'm a little less brave by real-life situations - as a kid I loved the idea of haunted houses at Halloween, but each year, without fail, I wouldn't even make it through a haunted house without my dad having to carry me out an emergency exit because it was all just too much. It became sort of a family joke. I wanted to make it through, I wanted to enjoy being scared, but it was too close to me, I didn't have control over it, and therefore, I...more
Feb 28, 2014Luis rated it it was amazing Shelves: chuck-palahniuk, contemporary
The whole point is life is obsolete.
The most resonating point is when the moment we became sure that there is a real heaven (minus God's restrictions), we'll be racing to it. Nope, it's not going to be called mass suicide, it's going to be called 'emigrating.'
I cannot even begin to explain the brilliance of this book. This is another masterpiece of a master. And I'm never going to be smart enough to review this book.
I recommend this book. BUT ONLY to those die-hard fans of Chuck. To those who wi...more
The most resonating point is when the moment we became sure that there is a real heaven (minus God's restrictions), we'll be racing to it. Nope, it's not going to be called mass suicide, it's going to be called 'emigrating.'
I cannot even begin to explain the brilliance of this book. This is another masterpiece of a master. And I'm never going to be smart enough to review this book.
I recommend this book. BUT ONLY to those die-hard fans of Chuck. To those who wi...more
May 18, 2017Cody | codysbookshelf added it
DNF @ Page 58
Palahniuk just isn't for me. While this isn't bad, it is the second book of his I've tried that I just don't enjoy. This one will be going up for sale on eBay.
Palahniuk just isn't for me. While this isn't bad, it is the second book of his I've tried that I just don't enjoy. This one will be going up for sale on eBay.
This is a bad book barely held together by fleeting and brief moments of fantastic insight. Just when I felt like I was wasting my time and the novel couldn't get any more disgusting, stupid, boring, or any other negative sentiment, it would then turn for just a brief second and capture my interest fully and completely. At these dispersed points the book would almost redeem itself. Then, within no time at all, the nice respite from the garbage prose would come to an end and the author would then...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Year i...:Haunted, by Chuck Palahniuk | 1 | 9 | Mar 04, 2019 06:10AM |
| I Love My Humor D...:My Top 6 Most Disturbing Books | 1 | 18 | Nov 07, 2018 10:56AM |
| Transgressive Fic...:6 Transgressive Fiction Reading Recommendations | 4 | 37 | Oct 12, 2018 11:04AM |
| I Love My Humor D...:6 Transgressive Fiction Reading Recommendations | 1 | 3 | Oct 12, 2018 09:45AM |
| The Humour Club:6 Transgressive Fiction Reading Recommendations | 1 | 5 | Oct 12, 2018 09:44AM |
| Goodreads Librari...:Correction | 1 | 11 | Jul 07, 2018 06:01AM |
| Transgressive Fic...:My Book Prize Draw | 3 | 15 | Mar 28, 2018 12:55AM |
Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates
See similar books…
See top shelves…
Written in stolen moments under truck chassis and on park benches to a soundtrack of The Downward Spiral and Pablo Honey, Fight Club came into existence. The adaptation of Fight Club was a flop at the box office, but achieved cult status on DVD. The film’s popularity drove sales of the novel. Chuck put out two novels in 1999, Survivor and Invisible Monsters. Choke, published in 2001, became Chuck’...more
More quizzes & trivia...
“People fall so in love with their pain, they can’t leave it behind. The same as the stories they tell. We trap ourselves.” — 1104 likes
Chuck Palahniuk Short Stories Pdf
“The difference between how you look and how you see yourself is enough to kill most people. And maybe the reason vampires don’t die is because they can never see themselves in photographs or mirrors.” — 610 likes
More quotes…The buzz about Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk's new collection of linked short stories, Haunted, is the type that will either scare you off immediately or have you scratching at bookshop doors to get in the minute the book comes out. There's no in-between, especially not when the main thing people are saying about this collection is that one of the stories makes audiences at author readings pass out, weep and vomit.
Well, don't be scared. The story in question, Guts, is such an over-the-top grossout spectacular that it ends up being more funny than disturbing. And that's a good thing. Palahniuk is a funny guy. Haunted is less a collection of horror stories than a warped satire, a combination of Survivor, Fear Factor and that Exquisite Corpse game where each person contributes a paragraph to the same story. The characters are named after their personalities: Miss Sneezy, Agent Tattletale, Miss America, Comrade Snarky. They all saw the same ad for a three-month writer's retreat. It's every aspiring author's dream: escape your real life for a while, and there's nothing to stop you from creating a masterpiece. But the retreat turns out to be not quite as advertised.
Things begin to go wrong almost immediately. No one is allowed to leave the old theater where the retreat is being held. Someone breaks the glass in a window and finds impenetrable concrete behind it. Rebellious would-be authors sabotage the food supply, then the furnace. In an effort to force the directors to let her out, one character hacks off her ear with a knife. This not only fails to get her out but also inspires the rest of the retreat-goers to hack off bits of themselves in an ever more obsessive race to become the star of the inevitable movie of their lives. Sure, they want to be rescued but not until things get bad enough to make a really great story.
Meanwhile, they're all sort of doing what they came for: telling stories. Interspersed with the narrative about what's going on at the retreat are short stories, each supposedly written by one of the characters. (Never mind that all the stories sound like they're written by Chuck Palahniuk.) These get more brutal as the situation becomes increasingly dire. In one, a resuscitation dummy is put to not necessarily educational use by a police department. In another, a reporter down on his luck frames and kills a former child star to win a Pulitzer. In several of them, children go missing for horrific reasons.
Still, the scariest thing about the stories is the same thing that's always scary in a Palahniuk book the hints of evil lurking underneath a seemingly placid reality. He's an expert at inducing paranoia by rattling off details that make you question long-held assumptions. Are those people who stand in line at movie premieres actually paid to be there, just to make the movie seem more exciting? Can you kill someone with a foot massage? Are the homeless really just bored millionaires out slumming? Can you explode from eating too many freeze-dried dinners at once?000bIt doesn't even matter if the answer to these questions is yes. Once you're presented with the question, you can't shake it. (After Fight Club, for example, will anyone ever order clam chowder in a restaurant again?) It haunts you. And that is pretty scary.
Becky Ohlsen writes from Portland, Oregon.