Snuff: Chuck Palahniuk

There are many mixed reviews of this book here, it is certainly not for everyone, I for one really enjoyed it. I have to confess, Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favourite authors, so there was every chance I would like it. The story is certainly an interesting one, with a popular adult film actress Cassie Wright wanting to end her career on a high by breaking a very notorious world record. On hand to help her out are several volunteers, including the narrators of this book, numbers 72, 137 and 600, three guys from different backgrounds who all want to take part for different reasons, and Ms Wright's faithful assistant Sheila. So, the subject matter is not going to suit everyone. Now that is out of the way, what we have here is a book full of dark humour, some childish laughs but done well, some more dark and twisted, and some very unique writing. If this story in any way mirrors the real adult entertainment industry well forget any thoughts that this world being glamourous. The picture Palahniuk paints is one that is grimy, sleazy and stinking. And yet, despite this bleak picture and most of the characters being pretty unlikeable, I found the whole story gripping and was sorry to reach the end. The general consensus among reviewers seems to be that this is not one of Palahniuk's best books. I'm not sure I agree, but so far I have enjoyed each one that I have read and it is hard to pick a favourite. If you prefer long weighty novels then my only criticism would be that this book is pretty short, but I think the story was as long as it needed to be, any more would have been unneccesary bloating. In closing, if you are not offended by the subject matter dealt with here, and you enjoy dark humour, I think Snuff is well worth reading.

If you are looking for an easy read, you are in the wrong place picking up a Chuck Palahniuk novel. You are in such the wrong place, that you may as well be in a different country. This author is so hard hitting, you feel like being punched by Tyson may prove a rest bite. `Snuff' is another strong novel by Palahniuk, not only in terms of quality, but content and adult naughtiness. It revolves around an adult entertainer trying to beat the world record for sleeping with the most men in one sitting. The story is told from the point of view of three of the men in the queue, plus a female assistant whose job is to keep them in order. In many ways `Snuff' is more of a series of short stories than a novella; you learn about each of the characters individually and how they came to be at the shoot. Their backgrounds are very telling and classic Palahniuk. Some of the stories are extremely brutal and hark back to the author's excellent `Haunted'. The story of the movie itself is an excuse for Palahniuk to voice his opinions on the seedier side of modern life. He combines his usual pop culture references with the types of observations that only he and Douglas Coupland seem to possess. `Snuff' should not be the first Palahniuk novel that you pick up; it his most extreme to date, even more so than `Choke' or `Survivor'. There is so much bad language in the book that you could paint the whole town blue, and still have enough to give the local villages a coat. It makes for uncomfortable reading; not only in terms of imagery, but also the fact that people will see you reading it. The book may also have benefitted slightly from a more traditional narrative in places; it remains an excellent read, but more short stories than novel.

I'm not sure what else I can add to what others have already stated? Sure, it’s your familiar obscene Palahniuk premise; throw in some twist and turns, some degrading circumstances, add a sprinkle of cringe and you're left with Snuff. This kitsch-art piece of contemporary literature. And just like kitsch art, you're being forced to feel emotions for something that isn’t there (at least not on a surface level). Hell, not even on a deeper level for that matter. 'Snuff' is one of Palahniuk's worst, so definitely don't read this if you've never read any of his previous novels (Start with either Fight Club or Invisible Monsters).

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Didn't think much of the ending, was left feeling a little disappointed. The characters were hilarious.

This was a gift for a passionate reader. He had supplied the book list and Amazon was the site with the best bargain and right price.

There wasn't really a message by the end of it, it starts off as a critique of the adult industry to some extent then as the book progresses femminist ideas are pushed at you but surrounded by filth, I'm not sure if this is to delegitimised the points made (I would hope so) or further embrace hedonism to it's most damaging form. The end of the book unfortunately points to the latter.

A deliciously twisted narrative journey full of enigma. Palahniuk doesn't disappoint in this post-modern masterpiece! With so many boring books out there - it's refreshing to read something so unflinching.

The book came kinda slowly. It was exactly what I wanted, and was worth what it cost, and was extremely useful!

I don't think this book was a complete waste. Many twists and turns to enthrall the reader, but it certainly was not C.P.'s finest book. For the money and easy-to-read factor I think it was 1000 yen well spent. I only wished he would have made it grittier.

non ho ancora deciso se chuck palahniuk sia un artista, certo è che ha molto mestiere ed è per questo sempre molto piacevole. il suo inglese è scorrevole ma non banale. il soggetto del libro è molto intrigante e la sua scrittura rende molto bene l'atmosfera, al punto che si ha quasi la sensazione di sentire gli odori.

👍

Cassie Wright, an aging porn star, is filming her finale in the industry with a whopping idea for her closure: to have sex with 600 different men in one movie. Cassie has been in the industry for years, made thousands of movies (the names of which, coming from Palahniuk's brilliant imagination, will leaving you laughing to tears), and with her once fashion-model good looks gone, she intends to go out with a bang. She's on the set, and downstairs in a roomy basement await 600 men ready to becoming noticed or re-noticed by participating in Cassie's spectacular event. The story is told through the eyes of four people. Sheila, the talent wrangler responsible for organizing the men into groups of three to attend Ms. Wright's performance; Mr. 600 who we discover is long time porn actor Branch Bacardi, an old pro with a deep history with Cassie; Mr. 72, a besotted young man named Darin bearing an armload of wilting roses and claiming to be Cassie's long lost love-child; and Mr. 137, an out-of-work TV actor who used to play detective Dan Banyon in a prime-time series until his previous gay porn work was uncovered. The men wait in the basement, covered in bronzing cream, snacking from a buffet that includes condoms, talking with each other and wondering if there's any truth to the rumor that Cassie could die from a vaginal embolism before the day is over. Chuck Palahniuk has written an exceptionally humorous novel with 'Snuff'. The chatter is filled with little known Hollywood gossip tidbits, leaving me to wonder how much is true or not. The clashing of personalities was exceptionally well-written, the thoughts of the characters interestingly tragic and comedic. There's enough deviant sex-talk involved that if that particular subject offends you, you probably won't see the humor and enjoy the book as much as I did. I read it in one sitting, unable to put it down until the twists and surprises at the ending. 'Snuff' is a highly enjoyable piece of "toilet humor" written by one of today's literary legends. I definitely think this is one of Palahniuk's best written novels, and the unique storyline keeps you reading well past bedtime. It's witty, funny, appalling, sarcastic, and amusing. I can't recommend this book highly enough. 10 Stars. Enjoy!

Great book, received quickly