Well, today's the day to begin our first novel together. If you're like me, then you received your book some time last week and couldn't help but start reading right away. One word to describe the first few pages? Weird. Intriguing. (Okay, that's two words but you know what I mean.) Like all things weird and intriguing, I am inclined to break them down to their lowest denominator--figure it out before I'm told. It's too soon to guess who "you" is (read the first few pages, you'll see what I mean) but I wonder, who do you think "you" is?
What excites me about the beginning, is the style in which this novel is written. I've never been much of a diary keeper myself, but there is something devious and curious about being given access to someones diary. Let's see if this "Diary" is as revealing as my sister's was in junior high.
This week, let's read pages 1-66 and check back to the blog next Monday to follow (and contribute!) to the discussion. For now, tell us about your first impressions of this author and the novel.
Get yo read on!
-Amanda
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Hey ya'll. I'm thrilled to be here - This was mostly the format of my school. Read a bunch, post online and discuss. We live in a world controlled by logic, and I think we could all use a break into the imaginal.
ReplyDeleteI think "you" is a great way to catch readers. I don't mean from an author's perspective; instead from the perspective of a woman who needs to have her story heard. Although I own Survivor, this is my first "Palahniukian" encounter. I'm interested in known what makes this man such a literary icon for my generation.
PS, "Legs" = Justin Schiedel :) School nickname
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess I don't follow directions well. Or maybe it is that I didn't read the directions of how the blook club would work before cracking open "Diary". Well, Oops!
ReplyDeleteThursday, the universe alligned itself to create the perfect reading window. The snow was falling outside, I had a fire going and around 4 I curled up on the couch with the book- sigh.
A little less than 6 hours and 260 pages later, I arose, completely mind-%@#!'d.
This was my first foray into reading anything by Palahniuk, but we've all seen Fight Club and I doubt anyone saw the end coming. Same here. Really...Whudda thunk?
I promise no spoilers, so I won't say much on the rest of the book or what happens. I was really eager to start the book, and the use of "you" in the beginning was a great way to engage the reader from the get-go. After a few pages though, I have to admit, I became skeptical as to how the style would work and if the story would flow. Turns out, it does. It took me a while, but little things would pique my interest and I had to keep reading, before I knew it I didn't even notice the diary-entry style anymore and the story was just flowing. Read page, turn, next, same thing.
Now, book done, there is one tiny little detail that caught my fancy and I can't let it go. The pronunciation of the islands name- Waytansea is nagging at me. Is it Way-tan-see-uh? Or Wait- and- See?
Hmm....
Well, like Malia, I sat down and finally plowed through this book. I won't get into my full reactions, since that would be jumping the gun. But I am reading this book through a pretty specific lens, so I feel it's best to acknowledge it straight away.
ReplyDeleteI have read all of Palahniuk's novels with the exceptions of Diary (missed it between Lullaby and Haunted) and Pygmy (never picked it up). Being a fan of the transgressive fiction movement for years, I became aware of his work fairly early on in his writing career, and I have tracked his work. He is a noteworthy author in the genre, but I don't consider myself a real fan of his work.
After reading most of his work, the first thirty pages unfold much in the way I expected. Palahniuk's writing style can be both jarring and enticing. His minimalist take on writing is a trademark, and helps advance the story all the more quickly. However, it can leave the reader a bit lost for perspective.
I am certainly looking forward to discussing the story more!