A non-fiction collection of stories by Chuck Palahniuk. Some of the stories were pretty boring, but all of them were short. A great book to read when you only want to read a little at a time. Or if you’re ADD.

The most interesting stories in the book were the ones Palahniuk wrote about himself. Obviously the most detailed and with a first person commentary, these stories sounded the most genuine. The other stories recounted short interviews and brief encounters, which made it seem more of an in-depth journalistic study than a inside look into a topic.

The first chapter of this book actually tells you the entire story.
It only makes sense, however, after you actually read the book.

The story of Rant is told by conglomerated tidbits of stories told by friends, enemies and neighbors. Rant is probably one of the strangest characters ever. He has odd talents associated with scent and taste (which are rather disturbing), as well as odd addictions (which, again, are rather disturbing). He scares me.

The subject of the book is truly creative. It keeps you contemplating for a while.

Also consider that someday, when you’re dead and rotted, kids with their baby teeth will sit in their time-geography class and laugh about how stupid you were.

This “novel” is written in the style of an oral history: it consists solely of, what we are told are, direct quotes from people associated with one Buster L. Casey. Because of this we must assemble the narrative of the book in our minds as we are only told revolving fractions of events that friends, acquaintances, and so called experts fill in.

The device of an oral history works very well here because it allows a method where theatrhoe cannot be expected to fill in all the details or make the story consistent; it can remain partially shrouded in the mystery of people’s memories, of the past, and of the future.

I must admit, I did not have high expectations for this book, but for some reason, bought it anyway. But my attention was grabbed (and held) within the first few pages. The almost nihilistic tone which puts the reader into the ‘shoes’ of Peter, a man in a coma after trying to kill yourself. And you soon realize that you are a bastard, because the book tells you so. After being insulted greatly for a while (and believing it) you realize that the book is nothing more than a diary kept by your wife (and she hates you for what you’ve done) so you can know what happens when (if) you wake up.
Oh, and craziness ensues, a big mystery, and an overall creative plot. Excellent book!