Yay! A new Chuck Palahniuk novel! Personally, I can’t get enough of Palahniuk. His latest novel Snuff is certainly not his best, but it is an enjoyable read.
Cassie Wright is an aging porn queen. She is ready for her last hurrah, in the form of the world’s largest gang bang – 600 men. Some are there because they are huge fans; some are hoping to become porn stars themselves. And some are there for personal reasons.
The story is told from the perspective of 4 different people. Sheila, the coordinator and the woman who brought the idea to Cassie. Mr. 72, a barely-legal kid who believes Cassie is his biological mother. Mr. 137, a prime-time actor trying to rebuild his career after a homosexual sex scandal. Mr. 600, Cassie’s one-time lover and frequent co-star, here to do his old friend a favor. It is tough to say much more about the plot without giving too much away, but I think it is safe to say that Cassie realizes that this might be a permanent retirement for her. Screwing 600 men could very well kill her.
Snuff is a very Palahniuk-ian novel. The subject matter is a bit twisted, a bit tawdry, a bit taboo. You are not likely to find many novels about porno gang-bangs – at least, not any from a respectable author. There is no clear hero; every character could be considered an anti-hero. Palahniuk’s writing style is as strong and lyrical as always.
And that may constitute the novel's highest praise. The ending feels anti-climactic. No conclusions are ever reached. Each of our four anti-heroes accomplish what they set out to do, but the effects of their accomplishments are never seen. When Snuff ends, there is no sigh of satisfaction as you close it and think to yourself, “Boy, that was a satisfying read.” Instead, I closed the book and thought, “Ok, that was pretty cool.”
It's like a summer blockbuster movie - fun while you are in the midst of it, but when you are finished, it quickly fades from your memory.
Article comments
1 - Kevin Eagan
I lost interest in Palahniuk after Lullaby, mainly because I felt he was falling into a formula that turned him from a decent counter-culture, unique author into a complete farce of the world he created. He has since fashioned his novels to fit within this formula, which has completely lost me. I just can't stomach him any more, and I haven't read a novel of his since Diary and don't intend to read this new one either. But good review, anyway.
2 - Kyle Lisowski
I thought the book was a decent read, you put it the best, the ending was really anti-climactic. I liked it though.
3 - unimportant
I just bought the book and im excited to read it. good review. I think invisible monsters is by far his best book, its has a beautiful concept and great meaning.