Survivor: A Novel

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It's a hit!

One of the books more remarkable features, which didn't strike me until I had read a good thirty pages, is the fact that it's numbered backwards. T... (show more)

One of the books more remarkable features, which didn't strike me until I had read a good thirty pages, is the fact that it's numbered backwards. This might seem a bit pointless, but in my opinion it serves to give a deeper sense of 'countdown' to the novel.

The story is that of Tender Branson, who begins his 'autobiography' whilst on a plane diving into the Australian outback, recording it in the black box. He is (or was) part of a Christian sect which committed mass suicide after a government investigation was launched on them.

This is the first book I've read by Palahniuk (even though I'd seen Fight Club before), and his writing certainly proves to be much more than a well accomplished excercise in fiction. Even if the novel's ending was weaker than the whole of the text, the fact that he develops a subject with such an acid tone and insight makes it more than a worth read. Palahniuk seems to capture the sensitivity of our post-modern society in its least likeable features: spectacle, commercialisation, hedonism. (show less)

 

 

by Matías Marambio

No, it's a flop!

5/09: Easily Palahniuk's most creative work--perhaps on par with Fight Club. Be prepared, as with all of Palahniuk's stuff, for medical and other... (show more)

5/09: Easily Palahniuk's most creative work--perhaps on par with Fight Club. Be prepared, as with all of Palahniuk's stuff, for medical and other useless facts and lessons, as well as disgusting amounts of human deprecation. Chuck always seems to go for that shock factor. He always seems to use a predictable formula to create the unpredictable... taking the world as we know it and introducing one or two supernatural elements to mix things up. These elements always seem to play second seat to the character conflict, however, which is what seems to separate his work from science fiction. Recommended for adult readers who are not easily offended and enjoy a bit of eclectic nonsense. Fight Club fans will probably enjoy. (show less)

 

 

by Brett Larsen

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  I really loved this book. The page numbers and chapters go backwards letting you know that there is a demise at some point. I love the way Palahniukk writes. He gets you deep inside the characters head and never lets you go back. You see the turmoil and issues that the character has. I will definitely be picking up all of Palahniuk's books in the future since I have read this one. Survivor is about a cult member survivor that tries to live life in the real world, only to discover that he can'... (show more)

  I really loved this book. The page numbers and chapters go backwards letting you know that there is a demise at some point. I love the way Palahniukk writes. He gets you deep inside the characters head and never lets you go back. You see the turmoil and issues that the character has. I will definitely be picking up all of Palahniuk's books in the future since I have read this one. Survivor is about a cult member survivor that tries to live life in the real world, only to discover that he can't live the real world life. He is better off living his cult-like ways, but since the cult is no longer there, he has to make do with the real world. He meets a woman that is just as messed up as he is, only she didn't belong to the cult. All the while, cult members that were survivors are dropping dead left and right. Suicides, and murders made to like suicides. In the end you find out who is murdering the survivors and you're left wondering what is left for Tender Branson. Before all of this, he becomes an international religious star. Preaching and writing books, that he didn't know anything about. Taking every which drug you can imagine to make him look better, perform better, and talk better. This book was very interesting and my attention was on it, every time that I read it. Great visualizations, and my favorite of all was the inner turmoil that you got to see in Tender Branson's head. (show less)

   

   

  by Paige Ray on Sep 26, 2009 at 04:04AM

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  This was my first glimpse into the work of Chuck Palahniuk. The Fight Club fame was negligible. What really enticed me was the fact that readers learn new things when they read a Palahniuk book. His tales immerse you into a surreal vision that feels unnervingly real. I was highly impressed by this book and have since read 2 more that he has written. I definitely recommend all of Palahniuk's work regardless of his accomplishments with Fight Club.
  I am not a big fan of fiction. I would rather... (show more)

  This was my first glimpse into the work of Chuck Palahniuk. The Fight Club fame was negligible. What really enticed me was the fact that readers learn new things when they read a Palahniuk book. His tales immerse you into a surreal vision that feels unnervingly real. I was highly impressed by this book and have since read 2 more that he has written. I definitely recommend all of Palahniuk's work regardless of his accomplishments with Fight Club.
  I am not a big fan of fiction. I would rather read a technical manual or some educational materials than a work of fantasy and make-believe. I have not been a consistent reader since high school and this man's work was so unbelievably delicious that I had to have more. Immediately after finishing one I had to have another. Thankfully I had a friend who pushes me to improve myself and read more. I also happened to live in the author's hometown of Portland at the time, so the local flavors were fresh in my mind. A+ Read this and anything else you can get your hands on by this author! (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Jul 28, 2009 at 07:30AM

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