Pygmy

This one may not be for any casual fan of Palahniuk, but it certainly is rewarding to those with stick-to-it-ed-ness. The only comparison i can make is to A Clockwork Orange, in the sense that you need to be immersed in the book to fully comprehend and understand the language at hand. NO, there aren't any terms like "yarbles" or "moloko", just broken English explanations courtesy the foreign exchange lead character known as Pygmy.

The broken language makes for a difficult read, but after awhile you are in his head and his limited terminology used to describe the most mundane things as a Walmart greeter seem equally as peculiar as more personal items such as a vibrator or the crucifixion, all described to hilarious effect. Boiled down, it is a rather simple plot, made all the craftier by Palaniuk's use (or misuse?) of the English language.

i won't try to explain it any further, when Chuck does a pretty good job himself in this article. If after you've read the article and are intrigued, i will definitely recommend this book. But it's not the place to start if you are new to Chuck Palahniuk's work.

4 stars out of 5

Living Dead in Dallas

Continuing the fun that started in Dead Until Dark, with some nicely added twists and characters that should set up some great future installments. Having watched True Blood season 2 before reading this, i'd have to say i was a little bored following one story line, but the books really bring Sookie's personality front and center.

4 stars out of 5

Dead Until Dark

Every bit as funny, frightening and sexy as the show True Blood, which is based on this series. I enjoy the mashing of genres and the authenticity of the characters and their actions. Goes to places the TV show doesn't, in a way that is equally enjoyable. A rare occurrence where each medium explores the same content but uses their diverse techniques to bring out the best of what's at its core. A delicious treat that's none too serious, but riveting and engaging.

4 stars out of 5

New Moon

i actually didn't read this in French, but i wonder if that would have made it more interesting. These Twilight books are great. Great, because it gives hope to any hack writer out there, that with a good publicist and shitty writing, you can still make it in the book industry. This one was worse than the first one. A third act that had little to nothing to do with the first two acts, an inconsistent and annoying set of characters, and writing that seems devoid of any edits, revisions, or a thesaurus. Why did i waste my time, again. Here's to pop culture and hysteria!

2 stars out of 5

The Lump of Coal

Another bit of silliness from Snicket, just in time for Christmas. i think he does these holiday books (the Latke was last winter) for the fans, and possibly the publishing company. Nothing special, just some of his typical wit and humour, turning an odd spin on the usual Christmas tale. The really nice bonus is to see Helquist's illustrations in large, full colour form.

Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things . . .: That Aren't As Scary, Maybe, Depending on How You Feel About Lost Lands, Stray Cellphone

Some seriously talented writers banding together to assist the future talents of tomorrow. This hodge podge collection of short stories by authors that happen to write for children, but in all honesty are crafting tales more readily enjoyed by adults, certainly has something for everyone, and that's in a good way. From the absurdly silly to the poignant and graceful, to the heart touching and thought provoking, this collection runs a gamut of emotions.

What remains at the center of it all is a freshness, and a fondness for fun, humour, wit and charm, with a children's tale setting. There is some superbly imaginative tales, that only fans of dry, British humour could love. One story, in particular, about a boy whose parents leave him for a week, but not without a bizarre trail of notes and notices of how to fend for himself, reminded me of a Douglas Adams novel, or a Roald Dahl trip, or a Monty Python skit. That same mix of sly wit, coupled with societal commentary, situated in the absurd seems to weave its way throughout the book.

As a whole, it's a lot of fun. Taken bit for bit, equally delicious.

4 out of 5 stars

Twilight

Teen romance melodrama, yet still quite a page turner. The literary equivalent of Degrassi Jr. High (wait--i don't mean to demean Degrassi in that way), what with it's teen lens that finds so much drama in a cafeteria setting. Still, Bella's POV narrative is somewhat engaging, and whisks along at a brisk pace, you'd almost think that Meyer was once a teenage girl.

The whole vampire genre never really interested me, but i like the suspense in figuring out what rules apply in this version. i still don't quite understand what Bella sees in a jerk like Edward (how's that for inviting the wrath of the Palefaced Lovers) but then again, i never did understand why teenage girls go for jocks (i mean, jerks--sorry, typo).

i don't need to recommend this to anyone who's ever thought to read it. Just the fact that you're thinking about it, probably means you will given the mass hysteria around it. i also would not recommend it to people who haven't read it, because it really won't satisfy anyone who's not really interested.

i can see the reasons why it's been such a great seller. It has a trash romance quality that Fabio could sell, and a reading level that definitely makes it a guilty pleasure easily consumed. i just don't feel inclined to read on based on what i got out of it.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

Snuff

Classic Palahniuk, in that it explores the topics and subjects we (meaning typical society) tries to avoid for dinner conversation, while also rewarding us with a plethora of tidbits about Hollywood stars' odd behaviours and deaths, all in the name of vanity.

This isn't as large in scope as say, Fight Club or Rant or Choke, as there isn't as much theological subtext, (at least not on first reading). Yet, Palahniuk's uncanny ability to pull us along, at the novelistic equivalent of a rapid editing montage, is ever present. As we proceed towards a climax of which we can easily predict the possibilities, while never knowing which one he'll actually surprise us with, he still manages to add that one extra twist for good measure.

A very quick read, which feels like one he tossed off in a hurry (pun intended), while we await a grander scale book. This is good filler in the meantime, and its nice to see him continue to experiment with ways of telling a story through multiple narratives. Snuff's method of a chapter per character works better than Rant's "E-Hollywood's true story" style, while offering multiple views on the same scenario. Another excellent read, but not a recommended starting point for readers new to Chuck's stuff.

4 stars out of 5

Rant

Palahniuk continues to amaze, in that he is unabashedly his own style, while continuously altering the style of his own writing. This time he takes on "Behind the Music" type biography structure to spin an oral retelling of a man celebrated for all the wrong reasons. At times a horror vampire zombie tale (kind of like Haunted), while also exploring theological themes and religious behaviour (like Survivor), while continuing to explore subcultures that exist to circumvent how unalive our lives have become (like Fight Club), he manages to conjure up all these styles, all these modes and genres, into a new tale that may actually be his first crack at science fiction.

He continues to amaze, and though Rant doesn't quite have the pacing and narration that makes his better books crackle like a skid on a bonfire, it may be his most mature work in the sense that he enters into even bigger concepts and thought provoking speculation that challenges our society's beliefs of racism, god, celebrity, belonging and chronology.

Give it some time, and like an infectious disease, it will grow on you.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Adverbs

Daniel Handler has a way with words, that is equally gut splitingly hilarious, mind blowingly witty, and heart wrenchingly beautiful. Adverbs is all of the above and then some. Exploring the many faces, shades, and pits of love, through a series of short stories selectively related to an adverb modifying how we all experience love, Handler has crafted a novel that builds upon the wit, humour, and sadness that populated his "A Series of Unfortunate Events", only for a more mature audience.

i emplore you to read this book and marvel in his way with the English language, and the language of love.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Flight

Alexie is a very powerful author. He tackles abuse, abandonment, genocide and other issues that affect Native Americans with brutal honesty and just a touch of humour. This one reads like a stream of consciousness, which is part of the book's strength and mystery, as we can only trust the narrator as he comes of age. Not for everyone's tastes, but extremely well written.

4 stars out of 5

Slam

Read this aloud to my class...they seemed to enjoy it...Myers has a keen way of getting into the character's voice that seems very authentic and not forced...traipses through issues of tweens without being preachy or too racy. Enjoyable year end read.

4 stars out of 5

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

My newest favourite book. A nice little mystery filled with a small handful of characters, that exhibits an old cinematic charm straight out of the French New Wave. The interweaving of graphic novel style storyboards to the traditional novel text gives it a cinematic pacing and feel. Plus the thematic elements of magic and silent films falls directly within two of my most beloved interests. It may seem cliche to say this, but i'd love to see a film made of this book, as i could picture the energy, mystery, and sweetness that envelopes the main characters. For authenticity sake, i could imagine the director of Amelie putting a deft cinematic hand on this French tale. I would highly recommend this to anyone, old or young. Despite its some 500 page heft, it was a very, very quick read. You won't be disappointed.

5 stars out of 5

A Clockwork Orange

If ever there was a must read, this is it. Do yourself a favour, my brothers, and immerse yourself in this world. Compelling, and unlike anything i've ever read, before, or since. Amazing in both style and structure, narrative and theme, it is a classic, despite some of the ultraviolence. Read it, it's worth the yarbles. That's if you've got any yarbles.

5 stars out of 5