Stephen King Fans discussion

Howdy all... as I mentioned, here is the thread for the April group read. If you have read, or are planning to read and discuss this book, please post here. Remember to mark all spoilers!

As a note, there seems to be two versions of this book. I plan on reading the Remix version, as the description indicates that it is the author's preferred version. It might be helpful to note which version you're reading when you comment, to avoid confusion as the content differs. :)

Happy reading, and thanks to Susanna for selecting this book at the second-to-last-minute! :D

I will definitly participate, I've got the non-remix book. Is there much difference between the two versions ??

I read the Remix . . . trying to avoid spoilerish stuff here . . . I will say the main difference (which you find out right away in the prologue) is that in the Remix the chapters are completely out of order. I do not know for sure if any of the story has been changed.

Now, I listened to it . . . so I am not sure about the next part, but I know it tells you to go to different pages in the middle of the book (kind of like Choose your own Adventure). I am thinking if you do not follow the "Go To" Instructions, it may read closer to the original version. The audio book automatically did the jumps, so I had no choice whether to jump or not.

I got feedback from a fan of this book that it is best to read the regular version first. Also, fans of the authors other writings may appreciate the Remix better than those who do not have any experience (which was me).

I have only read the remix version and because this book is more about what's happening with the characters internally, and there is emotional turmoil, I think it was very, very clever and gave a true feeling of what the characters were experiencing.

Maybe I will reread the original along with the group to see how it measures up.

I'm reading the original version, but I have to say, so far I'm not impressed. I'm hoping it picks up a little, but the disjointed style is driving me a little mad.
Still, it's not the first book I've persevered with and my opinion has been known to change before. I'm still hopeful.

I will be reading the original version and I look forward to participating in the discussions.

So I'm well into the original version of the audio book, and enjoying it very much. The reader is great, the story is surprising, and the style? What can I say: Give me GLAMOUR...flash; Give me... MADNESS...flash; Give me GENIUS!

Well, I've just finished it. It was a chore from beginning to end. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but this was possibly the most atrocious book I've ever read. The story was unbelievable, the writing style read like something from a bad session with Google translate, and all the characters were shallow and completely unlikeable.
I am hugely disappointed because I've been wanting to read the author for a long time.

Claire wrote: "Well, I've just finished it. It was a chore from beginning to end. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but this was possibly the most atrocious book I've ever read. The story was unbelievable, the wr..."

We really disagree, except for the characters being completely unlikeable. I've read several books by this author, so I guess I was ready for the style and frankly I though it was dazzling. It does read like a movie script and there are a lot of script conventions in it. Anyway, if you want to give him another try, get a copy of Fight Club.

I listened the Remix, but I would have to say I agree with Claire. I just didn't get it, but someone told me the Remix of this book is the worst place to start with this author.

I have read quite a few of his novels, and agree with Nick that Fight Club is his best.

He has a very distinctive style that doesn't change, so if you don't like that, it's probably not going to be any more appealing in his other work.

So . . . if I wanted to give Palahniuck one more try . . . it sounds like Fight Club is the best place to start. For those who have read a lot or all of his books - what are good titles that are the most accessible to a wide audience, and which ones are for fans only?

Matthew wrote: "So . . . if I wanted to give Palahniuck one more try . . . it sounds like Fight Club is the best place to start. For those who have read a lot or all of his books - what are good titles that are t..."

I read Fight Club, Choke, Snuff, and Haunted. Fight Club is definitely the best and most accessible. Frankly I don't remember the other three very well, except that I know I liked Haunted the best even though there (view spoiler)[really weren't any ghosts in it. (hide spoiler)]

This is totally unrelated but don't know where else to post my question:

When do we vote on our King May BOTM selection? And, how does it work? Do members suggest King titles , a list is compiled, and we choose from that? Sorry about the intrusion.

I've read Fight Club, Choke, Invisible Monsters Remix, Haunted, Rant, Snuff and Stranger than Fiction. Fight Club is my favorite by far. I read it before I had seen the movie (which is brilliant!).

I'm certainly willing to give him another go, so I'm adding Fight Club to my reading pile, and Choke was directed by one of my favourite people in the world - Clark Gregg, so I might give that a try, too.

I read the intro to the Remix version of the book today while I was in the bookstore, which, if you know me, is very unusual. I almost NEVER read intros because I find that they are often spoilery. But in this case, I'm glad that I did, because I would have been completely lost and confused regarding the style of the book, which he envisioned in a kind of jump around narrative - the way you'd read a magazine.

I guess the original version was revised by a publisher into a more linear narrative style, but when he had a chance to re-release it in hardcover, he did so with his original vision in mind.

I think the concept is interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading it this way... though it means I'll likely have to read a physical copy, because the ebook that I got doesn't have a table of contents, and it would be very hard to jump to specific chapters otherwise.

I can't imagine how the audio is. That would be... interesting.

The audio does all the jumping for you. It will even say "now turn to page 24", but then it just continues with page 24.

Ahh... I see. Thanks!

Since the story was out of order and confusing anyway, I started to wonder if I was supposed to be doing something with the audio book when it said to jump (view spoiler)[especially when it said "the end" about half way through. but right after it said "the end", it said "go to page xxx" (hide spoiler)] so I figured I just keep listening and hope for the best!

Okay: So I finished listening to the audio of the more linear version... though it was hardly linear. As I've said before, I'm completely blown away (and very envious) of Palahniuk's style. But there's bigger questions for me in his works. 1) His point of view, and (2) his characters. (view spoiler)[POV: Simple: push the violence and the madness to the extreme to dramatize the conflict for the characters. In this case, blow your face off to create the story's inciting incident and the dramatic situation. It must work. Palahniuk is a best selling author, and a big success.

As for the characters: I remember reading that "His Last Duchess", by Browning, was one of the first pieces of fiction where you were suddenly questioning the sanity of the narrator. In these books the narrators are logical and explain the bazar goings-on with great lucidity, and yet the more you read the crazier they appear. And, in the end, you can either just dismiss them as total whack-jobs, or you can look for some truth in what they're saying. In this case, being incredibly beautiful is so isolating, lonely, terrifying, soul destroying, that you'd do anything to escape the prison for your own beauty. Add to that the intertwining personalities of the limited cast of characters, and the story wraps up very nicely. The only question for the reader then is, is all that madness worth the truth hidden behind the overstated grotesqueries? For me it was. But then I know some really physically beautiful people (professional models even). And now I understand them better. (hide spoiler)]

I started the audiobook of the original last night. The first few minutes I was like "crap, this is gonna suck" but I kept listening. So far, I'm glad I did. I was laughing like an idiot on my drive home from work last night. The narrator is really good.
The part where she is (view spoiler)[learning to speak and the slurry gibberish that comes out is pretty funny, but the fact that everyone answers to what they think they heard (hide spoiler)]was entertaining.
It's actually kind of thought provoking inside the humor. I'm only 5 chapters in and there have been a lot of quotable lines. Mostly about sadness, reality, loneliness and love.

Becky, Could you please tell us what we will be reading for our May BOTM or will be voting or what? I never got to read IVISIBLE MONSTERS b/c it came up quickly and I didn't have time. Thanks!

Betsy wrote: "Becky, Could you please tell us what we will be reading for our May BOTM or will be voting or what? I never got to read IVISIBLE MONSTERS b/c it came up quickly and I didn't have time. T..."

Becky answered that question in another thread. Here's her answer:

May will be a King book, so we'll put up a poll from the shelf in a week or so: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

I've just finished the book and I think it is amazing! Disturbing, yes, but really brilliant and clever. I thought the ending a bit moderate compared to the rest of the story, but perhaps I have to think about it a little more:). Can't wait to start Fight Club.

I've just finished the book. 4 stars only because the plot was really predictable. I loved the story, the crazy characters and the happy (in my opinion) ending.
One thing: I have read lots of stories by male authors writing as females, and it was never truly believebale. I was always like 'no way, a girl wouldn't do that like that' or 'a woman wouldn't say it like that'. This is the first time that author really nailed it. I'm totally reading Palahniuk's other work in the (near) future.

Susan wrote: "I've just finished the book. 4 stars only because the plot was really predictable. I loved the story, the crazy characters and the happy (in my opinion) ending.
One thing: I have read lots of stor..."

I sent you a message about this, susan.

Yes I found there really wasn't much plot. There was a story but...
I'm going to read another book of his also. The audiobook of IM was so good I'll probably do another.
Any suggestions?

And Susanna, did you read the book? I've missed you in the discussion.

E.,

I would like to recommend Survivor . It is my favourite Palahniuk after Invisible Monsters.

I also love Fight Club but how could I not? I watched the movie first and it is still one of my favourite movies so I can't read the book without those visuals and so it is a brilliant book for me anyway.

I am not reading the book but I am following the discussion. I chose IM because it reminds me of Carrie which was my first King and which was also about a young girl/woman who was different in one way or another. Not everyone is a beautiful snowflake but we are all individuals with our own quirks and our own ways through life. I learned that from both Uncle Stephen and Uncle Chuck.

Like I said earlier, IM is my favourite Palahniuk. It speaks to my insecure side. I was an awkward teenager and the peer pressure was awful, not being as good-looking as other girls or trying to wear similar clothes that just made me feel really uncomfortable. So I was the odd one out. I read Invisible Monsters either in junior high or high school, and it gave me the power to just be myself because it's about beauty, about the way you look, about something I'm very insecure about. Because Palahniuk crushes those issues with the decisions the main character makes, I feel I can breathe easier in this world. I don't have to be what someone else wants me to be. I can just be me. There is no obligation for me to go with the flow and imitate every beauty standard known to man. I'll be me, even if I'm ugly and repulsive and infectious human waste, I'll be me.

So it is a really personal choice, and I understand that Palahniuk is not for everyone, or this particular book is just not someone else's cup of tea. But I'm also really excited to see that some of the BOM participants liked the book! :)

Susanna, I've actually got Survivor on queue to read before the month is out. Thanks for turning me on to a new (to me) author.
On a side note, it's sad that in high school we can't see the bigger picture on what ends up being important in life. Looks only get you so far, and many times the outer shell is as deep as it gets. Or, like in IM it can be a blessing and a curse if it becomes "who you are". Seeing those people, who in adolescence were "the bomb", 30+ years later they're just average joes doing average things can be eye opening. It's just too bad you can't see all that when you're in the midst of forming self esteem, comparing yourself to each other.

E. wrote: "Susanna, I've actually got Survivor on queue to read before the month is out. Thanks for turning me on to a new (to me) author.
On a side note, it's sad that in high school we can't see the bigger..."

Really good point, E. There's a novel there... or maybe a few dozen some of which have already been written. But still, it's really worth thinking about.