Snuffed
As an avowed aficionado of mean criticism, and a former but long-repentant reader of Chuck Palahniuk novels, I would be remiss not to point you toward Lucy Ellman’s scathing, bitter NYT Book Review take on the new Palahniuk novel, Snuff.
(Admittedly, I’m kind of looking forward to Choke.)
God, why? How much effort and ability does it take to produce great art? And how much effort and ability does it take to create snarky, “witty” criticism? This is entirely the problem with art in contemporary times, too many critics enamored with a pre-existing critical voice. Do you really want to endorse the Gawker mentality? It’s always destroy, destroy, destroy— because it’s easy, and because it’s self-aggrandizing. Count me out.
— Lifafa Das · Jun 9, 05:51 PM · #
Only the criticism wasn’t particularly snarky or witty (or “witty”). It was disgusted, splenetic and a little bit holier-than-thou—all of which, I suspect, were the right and proper kinds of responses to Palahniuk’s work. Everything looks like a nail to the man with the hammer; but sometimes there really are nails, and they really need hammers.
— Chris M. · Jun 9, 07:41 PM · #
At least it confirmed my decision never to read this book.
— heedless · Jun 9, 10:18 PM · #
The reviewer doesn’t seem to hate Palahniuk or his book so much as she hates America in general. His book just happened to be close by when she started a generalized rant.
P.S. “Stupid food?”
— astorian · Jun 10, 07:06 PM · #
Thanks for the heads up on the article, I found it amussing.
I too am an ex-Palahniuk reader, I enjoyed Fight Club and Survivor and found Diary to be decent. But then I went to a reading where he managed to sell 500+ tickets at $10 a pop and then threw a hissy fit because he didn’t like that a couple fans were acting a little hyper.
Ungrateful little baby.
— Dave · Jun 11, 05:10 AM · #