I am in love with both the novel by Chuck Palahnuik and the film adaptation of the same name.
Having seen the film many times, considering it one of my favourite films, I was compelled to read the novel. After researching the author, I was slightly put off by the dark nature of some of his other work. Some of his short stories are particularly gruesome. However, I still felt I wanted to read fight Club and I am very glad that I did. A fairly brief novel, that is a joy to read. I say 'joy', even though it is not particularly joyous. Masterfully written, narratively engaging and extremely clever.
It uses a narrative technique of jumping around through time, often telling two or even three parts of the sotry at once. There are lots of very short sentence in paragraphs of their own. It is punchy and has a very unique writing style. And yet, it is incredibly easy to read. I love writing when it is slightly experimental or modernist, but I also like to be able to just read and enjoy. Palahnuik achieves both expertly.
One slight curiosity I have with it is that the author does not seem to be in favour of any character in a moral way. It is unclear as to whether we should see Project Mayhem as an entirely detestable enterprise or as something to aspire to, if it were not to get out of hand. Tyler is so much more than the nameless protagonist, yet his morals seem askew. This is not a failing on the author's part to make his views clear, but merely something I dislike in a novel. Palahnuik tells a story of a controversial side to human nature without really providing a moral. He just makes you think. Certainly, sentiments about equality and making something of your life seem to be moral. The fight club seems positively therapeutic. However, Project Mayhem seems absurd and horrible in its deadly quest for justice. Part of me wants it to be either a novel in opposition to violence, or revolutionary book about fighting elitism. However, another part of me realises that either of those would appeal to me as much as the novel in its true form does. Any change would be detrimental.
As for the twist at the end, I loved it when I saw the film, and wish I could go through the experience of discovering the fantastic truth again. When reading the novel, I was able to do the 'second reading' necessary to pick up on the clues first time round, because I already knew the twist. It is brilliantly done.
Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how true to the novel the film was. There were obviously some tweaks but it was definitely a direct film adaptation rather than a similar concept with entirely different plot-lines and characters.
Overall, its pure genius.
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"I know this because Tyler knows it."
"I want you to hit me as hard as you can."
"Welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club! Third rule of Fight Club: if someone yells “stop!”, goes limp, or taps out, the fight is over. Fourth rule: only two guys to a fight. Fifth rule: one fight at a time, fellas. Sixth rule: the fights are bare knuckle. No shirt, no shoes, no weapons. Seventh rule: fights will go on as long as they have to. And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight." - Film
