NOTICE: (Updated March 5, 2010)

Beginning December 19, 2009, Books 'N Border Collies will be posting but only intermittently while I pursue personal goals. I plan to share some reading I'm doing, but there will be no reviews. I will, however, be sharing my exploration of vegetarian cooking and the cookbooks and websites I use to educate myself. I hope you enjoy it!

Lezlie



Wednesday, July 30, 2008

SNUFF

by Chuck Palahniuk



From Snuff:

Six hundred dudes. One porn queen. A world record for the ages. A must-have movie for every discerning collector of things erotic.

Didn't one of us on purpose set out to make a snuff movie.

What does one say about a book like Snuff? For starters, it's not for readers who like their books, um, clean. It's full of filth and vulgarity and descriptions of sex acts that will make your eyes bug out and your skin crawl. But then suddenly there are moments of improbable humanity that put a whole different spin on the story, that stand you in the shoes of these people and make you care deeply what happens to them.

In the large room where six hundred men wait, snacking at the buffet table, watching early Cassie Wright skin flicks on the televisions, anticipating their turn to enter the stage set door into porn history, four lives will intersect for the first time. Each will tell the tale of how he or she came to be there. And what starts out for the reader as a giddy, voyeuristic peek into a murky underworld, between giggles and condescending smirks and shocked gasps, becomes a series of humbling lessons in compassion and understanding. They come at you quickly and silently and then they're gone. But the mark is there. Snuff is everything you expect it to be, and so much that you don't. Go on. I dare you . . . :-)



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another for my TBR list. I'm never going to catch up...drats!

Ann Kingman said...

Wow, you're good! I couldn't imagine how you were going to review this -- you pulled it off wonderfully. Thanks!

Lezlie said...

Chartroose ~ This one is quick. There's still a chance! ;-)

Ann ~ Thank you so much! I had to think for quite a while on this one. I wanted to keep to my short, two paragraph style, but there is so much in this little book that it was tough to do. I'm glad you liked it!

Darlene said...

Great review Lezlie-you made me want to read this.

Jeane said...

Don't know if I could read this. I still like my books a bit -um, clean. But you've certainly caught my curiosity!

joanna said...

Do you really dare me? ;-) I'm not sure about this one, but it does sound intriguing... Hmmm...

Lezlie said...

Dar ~ I liked it more than I thought I would. I'd love to see your thoughts if you do read it.

Jeane ~ The premise was just too weird for me to pass up. I was completely unprepared for some of the seriousness which made it so good, but, yeah, it's pretty darn filthy overall. :-)

Joanna ~ I only dare you if you want to be dared. :-) I wouldn't really try to talk anyone into it, because it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea. I'm guessing most people would be just plain grossed out. But if you're feeling a little crazy, it is worth it.

Kara said...

I think I am feeling a little crazy and a lot intrigued. Added it to my TBR list with a side note to read your review again if I forgot what it was about. Hopefully will get to it soon.

Andi said...

Oh I have to read it. I just have to!!!

Lezlie said...

Kara & Andi ~ I'm dying to see someone else's take on it. Hurry, hurry! :-)

L.

Anonymous said...

I'll be honest. I wasn't interested in the book until your review!

Hmmmm....

That pretty much says a lot about me, doesn't it?

=(

Tasha said...

I don't know if I can handle this book, but I liked Lullaby, so maybe I'll give this a try someday.

Lezlie said...

J. Kaye ~ I don't think it says anything bad at all! I'm more concerned about those of us who said, "Oh, yeah, gotta get this one!" :-)

Charley ~ I haven't read Lullaby. Did you like it? I have The Fight Club and Choke on the shelf though. I'm hoping to get to those soon to get a better handle on his writing style.