Journal Entry 1 by cowprintavenger from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, April 01, 2005

Diary takes the form of a 'coma diary' kept by Misty Wilmot as her husband lies senseless in hospital after a suicide attempt. Once she was an art student dreaming of creativity and freedom; now, after marrying Peter at art school and being brought back to once quaint, now tourist-overrun Waytansea Island, she's been reduced to the condition of a resort hotel maid. Peter, it turns out, has been hiding rooms in houses he's refurbished and scrawling vile messages all over the walls. Angry homeowners are suing, and Misty's dreams of artistic greatness are in ashes. But then, as if possessed by the spirit of Maura Kinkaid, a fabled Waytansea artist of the nineteenth century, Misty begins painting again, compulsively. The canvases are taken away by her mother-in-law and her doctor, who seem to have a plan for Misty - and for all those annoying tourists... 

Journal Entry 2 by perditaxknit from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, February 18, 2006

I read this ages ago but didn't journal it for some reason.

This had some very nifty ideas in it and was highly weird. A bit slow getting started, but good nonetheless! 

Journal Entry 3 by perditaxknit from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 23, 2006

Diary Bookray

OK, here's the list for the bookray :)

perditaxknit (UK)
lizzy-stardust (UK)
thejuiceisloose (Australia)
TeenieBeanie (Canada)
wyldanthem (US)
crazyblonde-mm (US) <--- book is currently here
scared4 (Canada)

Standard Bookcrossing book ray guidelines apply:

- Please journal the book when you receive it, so we know where it is!
- Please try and read the book within a month
- When you've finished it PM the next person on the list and find out their address to send it to. Surface mail is fine :)
- Have fun!

I look forward to reading your journal entries! Any new participants please feel free to PM me and I'll add you on to the list! 

Journal Entry 4 by perditaxknit from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 11, 2006

Sent to lizzy-stardust today :) 

Journal Entry 5 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 14, 2006

got this today as part of neverbelilith's bookring. thanks! will start it after I finish boychiks in the hood, and maybe my husband will read it too before it goes to the next person. 

Journal Entry 6 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, March 27, 2006

i didn't enjoy this book as much as i expecte to, but maybe that's because the last book i read is still so fresh in my mind and, at least in my opnion, going from anthony burgess to chuck palahniuk, is like going from a thick juicy steak to a mcdonald's hamburger. it was enjoyable enough though. thank you, neverbelilith, for including me in your bookring! 

Journal Entry 7 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Sunday, April 30, 2006

mailed this to the juiceisloose yesterday 

Journal Entry 8 by AnonymousFinder on Saturday, May 13, 2006

Received the book a few days ago - embarked on my reading journey. Hope to be done soon! :) 

Journal Entry 9 by AnonymousFinder on Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Forgive me, all. I'm having a hard time connecting with this book, but I'm hoping it's just like another reader said, that it's slow at the beginning... I'm going to contact TeenieBeanie, but will try and finish it over the next week. No promises, though. 

Journal Entry 10 by AnonymousFinder on Tuesday, July 04, 2006

I found this book so, so hard to get into. I keep trying to like Chuck Palahniuk, but I really find it hard to. I managed to get through to the end, but was disappointed. I don't know; it had potential, but it failed miserably for me.

Book has been sent off to wyldanthem (TeenieBeanie never got back!) - sorry it took me so long! 

Journal Entry 11 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Received this sometime last week, while I was away on business. I'm finishing up another bookring book (they always seem to come in pairs, don't they?), then I'll get started on this one. :) Thanks!

8/9/06 EDIT: Started this last night and am half-way through already! 

Journal Entry 12 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, August 10, 2006

After reading the less-than excited reviews from previous journalers, I was worried. Even among my circle of reading friends, Chuck Palahniuk has received mixed (but mostly lukewarm) reactions. And as others have said, it was a rough and slow beginning.

But once I got used to the "diary" style and the narrator's annoying use of the third person, I began to really get into the story. Who would've ever thought a contractor would seal up entire rooms in his clients' homes? What a crazy idea! But then again, the entire cast of Waytansea Island is a bit crazy, strange.

At first, I thought it was just the way Misty, the main character, described things. Palaniuk seemed to have trouble writing this female lead, and I think the "artsy" part of Misty's personality ran away with him. But just as she discovers her talent and settles into her painting, so too does Palaniuk fall into a groove with his writing. The narrative evens out (though I'm still not sure how Palahniuk would explain how Misty was still able to write in the diary...), the full story starts coming to light, and the veil of mystery surrounding Waytansea Island is lifted. The ending was brilliant; the letter, especially, was a nice touch.

This was the first Palaniuk I've read, though I've seen (and adore) Fight Club and am on another bookring list for Choke. I definitely want to read more, as his stories are unlike anything I've ever read. The diary writing style was disappointing, but I think this particular story called for it, and I'm hoping his other books are written differently. 

Journal Entry 13 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, August 16, 2006

On its way to the other coast! Thanks for arranging this 'ray, perditaxknit! :)

Delivery Confirmation No.: 0303 3430 0001 0955 8039 

Journal Entry 14 by crazyblonde-mm from Long Beach, California USA on Friday, August 18, 2006

Just got this in the mail as part of the 'Diary' book ring... I can't wait to read it- I'll start first thing tomorrow! The book has made it's way to sunny California!