*yawn* Really, Chuck?

I’ll be honest.  Snuff was disappointing.  I realize that Palahniuk has built his reputation on the inherent edgyness (I make up words frequently) and shockingness (see?) of his stories and books. I’m not really squeemish and I can handle all of the little details that he likes to throw in. (His description of anal beeds in Choke, anyone?) But in this book, he tries too hard. The trivia and nasty little details seem forced and don’t really add anything to the story. It seems like he threw them in just for the sake of throwing them in.

By the end of the book, every “my life was just one big money shot” or “600 dudes fluffing themselves” reference was old and tired. Given the subject matter, I expected some of those references, but after you figure out what the book is all about, the parts that are supposed to shock you are just lame.

I would go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone who still wants to read it.  It is relatively short and was a quick read at least.  The other two of Palahniuk’s books that I have read (Fight Club and Choke) were great, and I would recommend them to anyone.  This one- not so much.

~ by migbike on July 10, 2008.