katekintailbc | Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk (Reply)

Haunted
by Chuck Palahniuk
(Audio)

I decided to listen to this at the end of October. Given the proximity to Halloween, a book called Haunted seemed quite appropriate.

I've only ever read Fight Club of his, though I have Choke on my TBR bookshelf. After reading this, though, the best I can say is this guy has a seriously warped and creative mind. How in the world did he think up such things? Gah! LOL

As a writer, I was especially creeped out at the idea of a writing retreat used to lure people in and have them self destruct. If I'd ever wanted to watch the movie "Saw" I imagine it has some similarities as far as the psychological. However, what made this interesting was how each writer had a story to tell- some of them "fiction" but all of them revealing something significant about the character. It was a fascinating collection of people with strange "pseudonyms" and even stranger mentalities. To me, the stories were all like hideous car accidents you want desperately not to remember afterward but you just can't help but staring at when you pass. If I'd been reading this book physically, I know there would have been parts I'd skim over, but the nice thing about audio is I was forced to listen to it all-- the good and the bad-- and I'm glad I did. I'm not sure I'd call this enjoyable, but it is quite an experience and I feel like a survivor myself now for making it through along with... well... possibly a few of the characters ;-)

I'll definitely think twice the next time I get a mailing about a writing retreat!