Survivor : A Novel
4 journalers for this copy...
I got this book from my boyfriend for Xmas.
From Chapters:
The lives of the passengers aboard flight 2039 are in the hands of Tender Branson. This may prove to be fatal, as the last surviving member of the Creedish Death Cult has something terrible in store for this flight. As Branson cruises on autopilot, he is dictating the story of his life and his thoughts on suicide, martyrdom and the importance of press coverage. As the plane heads for its final destination in the Australian outback, Branson ponders the decline of society. From Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, comes Survivor.
From Chapters:
The lives of the passengers aboard flight 2039 are in the hands of Tender Branson. This may prove to be fatal, as the last surviving member of the Creedish Death Cult has something terrible in store for this flight. As Branson cruises on autopilot, he is dictating the story of his life and his thoughts on suicide, martyrdom and the importance of press coverage. As the plane heads for its final destination in the Australian outback, Branson ponders the decline of society. From Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, comes Survivor.
Tender Branson is a member of a Creedish religion that, when the "Deliverance" happens and all the members still living in the commune kill themselves, is considered a cult. Creeds have been taught that once the deliverance happens, they are to kill themselves. However Tender doesn't feel like killing himself. He's not happy, but he's not sad either. He just exists, cleaning and giving etiquette lessons to a rich family.
The story is essentially Tender dictating his life story into the black box of an airplane he has hijacked. There is no one left on board, as Tender has seen to it that everyone is safe. We learn about Fertility, Tender's friend who can see into the future, and Adam, Tender's brother who was expected to be dead. After some suspicious suicides, Tender becomes a celebrity for being the last remaining member of the Creedish cult.
There's a bit of a social commentary on celebrities in this book, but it's not at all preach-ish. Palahniuk mocks celebrities through Tender's stories and it is pretty entertaining.
Adding to the intrigue of this book is the fact that the chapters and pages count down rather than up. But the best part of the book is when you're done and you take it all in. The end of the book is complete, yet left completely up to the reader and his/her imagination on what happened. Does Tender live or die? There are some clues dropped throughout the whole book that could lead you either way. If you visit Palahniuk's site, he gives his interpretation.
While I didn't find the overall plot gripping, I was googling this book when I was done because the ending didn't sit well with me. And when I realized that it wasn't meant to sit well with the reader, I was really intrigued. How often is it that a twist in the book comes after the book is finished?? It takes talent for a writer to pull that off.
Reserved for someone special!
The story is essentially Tender dictating his life story into the black box of an airplane he has hijacked. There is no one left on board, as Tender has seen to it that everyone is safe. We learn about Fertility, Tender's friend who can see into the future, and Adam, Tender's brother who was expected to be dead. After some suspicious suicides, Tender becomes a celebrity for being the last remaining member of the Creedish cult.
There's a bit of a social commentary on celebrities in this book, but it's not at all preach-ish. Palahniuk mocks celebrities through Tender's stories and it is pretty entertaining.
Adding to the intrigue of this book is the fact that the chapters and pages count down rather than up. But the best part of the book is when you're done and you take it all in. The end of the book is complete, yet left completely up to the reader and his/her imagination on what happened. Does Tender live or die? There are some clues dropped throughout the whole book that could lead you either way. If you visit Palahniuk's site, he gives his interpretation.
While I didn't find the overall plot gripping, I was googling this book when I was done because the ending didn't sit well with me. And when I realized that it wasn't meant to sit well with the reader, I was really intrigued. How often is it that a twist in the book comes after the book is finished?? It takes talent for a writer to pull that off.
Reserved for someone special!
This book was reserved for my birthday partner, but then she got it! So I put it up on Bookmooch and it's heading off to boogal.
Arrived in my mailbox today. Thanks, Lauren!
Sent to candieb for the June RMTBRBB Exchange. Enjoy!
Ooohhh.... thank you! I got this today... I can't wait to read it!
This is one really screwed up book. I've always said that to be in Stephen King's head must be a scary place, but I'm starting to wonder if Chuck Palahniuk's head is even scarier. How does one sit down and come up with stuff like this? There were a few things that were a bit of a let down, but the ending totally played with my head. It didn't sit in my brain with all the other "Fertility" hints we had been given. I was ready to throw things around until I found the author's website where he explains it. Ahhh... now I feel better :)
Do NOT go to this link if you haven't read the book. Seriously!
Survivor Ending
Do NOT go to this link if you haven't read the book. Seriously!
Survivor Ending
Journal Entry 8 by candieb at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (7/2/2008 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing to chambejd as a RABCK
Mailing to chambejd as a RABCK
Thanks so much for sending this book to me. My boyfriend and I are making our way through the Palahniuk books so we are excited to get this!! We are looking forward to it!! Thanks again!
