Fiction Fix

I just finished another Chuck Palahniuk novel.





"Survivor"





I love his books, they are like reading an action-packed movie. A real page-turner.


Well, the first page-turning author I've discovered since my nerdy J.K. Rowling bout.


He has written many novels including Invisible Monsters (if you like shocking), Diary (if you like a suprise ending) and Fight Club (if you like Brad Pitt, wait. Who doesnt?)





I got Survivor for Christmas and planned to read it two days, as I would have if I was still doing extra-work. But seeing as the WGA strike killed extra work, I took on the book much slower and it was originally hard for me to garner a strong interest. I still recommend this book, just for the ending. If you want to barrow it, just let me know.





About Survivor:


A satire of commercial culture, it is the story of Tender Branson, a member of the Creedish Church, a death cult. In it, every member learns how to be a servant for the human race—most of them are butlers and maids—and fear most human pleasures. They await a sign from God to tell them to deliver themselves unto Him, that is, commit suicide.
The sign finally comes, and a good ten years later, Tender becomes the last surviving member of the cult. He is thrown into mainstream culture and becomes a personal icon for many people.





The main themes of Survivor ar free will and commercialism. I especially enjoyed the free will theme. It really gets you thinking anf feeling about fate, free will and worry. How much do you believe in God? In yourself? How much do you leave up to fate? The future? The book wnats you to believe none of it matters until the end, but I disagree. It made me feel enev stronger in my beliefs, by challenging my faith and good common sense not to "off" my self when I feel sad.





A few interesting facts about Survivor:

• The book's chapters and page numbers are put into reverse order - it begins with Chapter 47 on page 289 and ends with Chapter 1 on page 1, like his life is being told in order of importance, or backward.


• The phrase "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage" was used by the band Panic at the Disco as their first number one smash song title.


• When the film rights to "Survivor" were first sold, no movie studio was willing to commit itself to adapting the novel. This was due to the fact that the protagonist of the novel hijacks a civil airplane and crashes it into the Australian outback. After the attacks on The Pentagon and World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 the movie studios apparently deemed the novel too controversial.


• However, by early 2005 the project had been revived, and during his book tour for "Rant" Palahniuk announced that Survivor would start filming in December 2007.

I wonder who will star in his movies? Hmmm... Well, he can call me up anytime to be Feritilty Hollis! I even have the red hair :)

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Still sick, but going into work tonight as nobody can cover for me.

Hopefully I'll be able to tivo the Oscars, so nobody tell me the results!!!

I'd also like to rent all the movies up for best film. I think eveyone should do that so they know who has been robbed, lol.

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What's next? I plan to finish "The Alchemist". A very inspiring book, great for any actor. I stopped reading it on set when the writers went on strike.

After that I have one book left of my all time guilty pleasure: Gossip Girl. The last book, Don't You Forget About Me, is all I have left until the tv series comes back to life :(