Fight Club
Registered by berthamason on 5/19/2003
14 journalers for this copy...
a strange and interesting book about soap, liposuction, bare nuckle fighting and identity crisis.
if its as good as the film . i'll love it.
Journal Entry 4 by lelley from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 10, 2003
accidently released twice
Journal Entry 5 by lelley from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, June 26, 2003
on its way to curtangel in trade for up the amazon.
I just got it. Look foward to reading it shortly.
At first I was amazed at how much this was like the movie. Or perhaps, how much the movie was like this. It could have almost been the novelization of the movie. Then it started delving deeper than the movie could have. Not too much deeper, but deeper.
This book digs up some interesting ideas that I'll have to think about for a while. The comments on perfection and how the main character's (is he even named?) life was "too perfect" reminded me of a story I once read that said perfect people stay still all the time, because if they move something would be out of place and they would no longer be perfect. How many people right now do that with their lives?
This book never got to the point where I forgot about the movie, but there still was suspense and some surprises. I probably wouldn't have read this if it weren't for the movie, but then, I almost didn't watch the movie. I saw it on cable because someone whose opinion I trust told me it wasn't as bad as the trailers made it look.
Overall, I would recommend this, and I plan to be on the lookout for more books by this author.
This book digs up some interesting ideas that I'll have to think about for a while. The comments on perfection and how the main character's (is he even named?) life was "too perfect" reminded me of a story I once read that said perfect people stay still all the time, because if they move something would be out of place and they would no longer be perfect. How many people right now do that with their lives?
This book never got to the point where I forgot about the movie, but there still was suspense and some surprises. I probably wouldn't have read this if it weren't for the movie, but then, I almost didn't watch the movie. I saw it on cable because someone whose opinion I trust told me it wasn't as bad as the trailers made it look.
Overall, I would recommend this, and I plan to be on the lookout for more books by this author.
I've decided to make a bookray out of this, partially because it seems to be in demand, partially because I like it, and partially because it was first registered on my birthday. :)
This the "final" order:
baaic (Iowa City, IA)
CrazyPooka (Oregon)
Kernow8 (Virginia)
dawni (Canada)
talkland (UK)
letra (Portugal)
fio-dagua (Portugal) - here
Phoebus-Lazurd (Portugal)
Davitraka (Florida)
kalipriestess (Tallahassee, FL)
salinger007 (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
tootshelling (Arizona)
fanclub (Hawaii)
Eithne (Florida)
jazzy7112 (Canada)
fushmush (Australia, temp placement: if anyone is willing to ship to Austrailia let me know please)
You don't have to be willing to ship to Austrailia to be a part of this bookray, but you will be considered to be after fushmush on the list if you aren't. If no one PMs me that they are willing to ship to fushmush by the time this gets back to the States, I'll put out a call on the forums and e-mail group.
This the "final" order:
baaic (Iowa City, IA)
CrazyPooka (Oregon)
Kernow8 (Virginia)
dawni (Canada)
talkland (UK)
letra (Portugal)
fio-dagua (Portugal) - here
Phoebus-Lazurd (Portugal)
Davitraka (Florida)
kalipriestess (Tallahassee, FL)
salinger007 (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
tootshelling (Arizona)
fanclub (Hawaii)
Eithne (Florida)
jazzy7112 (Canada)
fushmush (Australia, temp placement: if anyone is willing to ship to Austrailia let me know please)
You don't have to be willing to ship to Austrailia to be a part of this bookray, but you will be considered to be after fushmush on the list if you aren't. If no one PMs me that they are willing to ship to fushmush by the time this gets back to the States, I'll put out a call on the forums and e-mail group.
Received bookray book. It starts well, especially considering that I've seen the movie.
What an interesting book to have to comment on. It seems like we are admonished not to talk about it. Can you imagine, groups of young men, meeting in basements under bars and garages, taking their shirts and shoes off, and reading a book? Okay, maybe that's just a bit more comforting.
Still, Tyler Durden taps into something for us dudes. My wife reports that Fight Club (the movie) gets an extremely positive response from the boys in her American Values class, but doesn't go over so well with the women. I wonder how the boys would feel reading the book. I was surprised at how well the movie caught the ideas of the book, but seemed to minimize the impact of the fighting, the devastation and self-destruction.
Something to chew on. The next recipient is purportedly on vacation, so it may be a little while before we see the next entry.
I am Joe's migraine headache.
Still, Tyler Durden taps into something for us dudes. My wife reports that Fight Club (the movie) gets an extremely positive response from the boys in her American Values class, but doesn't go over so well with the women. I wonder how the boys would feel reading the book. I was surprised at how well the movie caught the ideas of the book, but seemed to minimize the impact of the fighting, the devastation and self-destruction.
Something to chew on. The next recipient is purportedly on vacation, so it may be a little while before we see the next entry.
I am Joe's migraine headache.
Crazy Pooka here: Just got my first ring/ray in the mail today...this is it! I'm excited to read this, and will start tonight. I drove 1.5 hours to visit an official Oregon crossing zone today, it's been quite the day for books! Thanks and I look forward to seeing what everyone else has written.
CrazyPooka here again: This is a beautiful book. Yes, beautiful writing. Beautiful concept, beautifully concieved. It's such a contrast with all these other "beautiful" books about gardens, and love, and personal growth.
I was reading it outside--the part about the club mechanic, as a guy worked on his little egg car, across the street.
I have an ear infection I think, and a headache. I know how this guy feels. I don't want to be stuck in some dead-end corporate job. But, none of us do, I suppose.
In the movie Salvador James Woods gets in a fight, and he pulls out a knife. I wish he would have started stabbing himself, this would scare the assalant away. I know FC's main character would do it.
Poor Marla, she has such a little part so far. This is a male-driven story. But I love men. I wish them more personal power. I've noticed that in school the men are quite happy letting the women do all the talking in lectures. I wonder why this is. Is this envoronment not safefor their ideas? Or are they just taking it in, to mentally lambast us for sillyness and stupid ideas? This isn't what I'm getting from the book, it's just what I wanted to say.
I'm nearly finished with the book. I have a favorite quote:
"She never dreamed she could feel so 'smarvelous. She actually felt alive....There was no real sense of life because she had nothing to contrast with it. Oh, but now there was dying and death and loss and grief."
'smarvelous---I'm going to start saying that.
I was reading it outside--the part about the club mechanic, as a guy worked on his little egg car, across the street.
I have an ear infection I think, and a headache. I know how this guy feels. I don't want to be stuck in some dead-end corporate job. But, none of us do, I suppose.
In the movie Salvador James Woods gets in a fight, and he pulls out a knife. I wish he would have started stabbing himself, this would scare the assalant away. I know FC's main character would do it.
Poor Marla, she has such a little part so far. This is a male-driven story. But I love men. I wish them more personal power. I've noticed that in school the men are quite happy letting the women do all the talking in lectures. I wonder why this is. Is this envoronment not safefor their ideas? Or are they just taking it in, to mentally lambast us for sillyness and stupid ideas? This isn't what I'm getting from the book, it's just what I wanted to say.
I'm nearly finished with the book. I have a favorite quote:
"She never dreamed she could feel so 'smarvelous. She actually felt alive....There was no real sense of life because she had nothing to contrast with it. Oh, but now there was dying and death and loss and grief."
'smarvelous---I'm going to start saying that.
CrazyPooka here: As you know, last I wrote I was enjoying this beautiful book. That didn't change! I recommend it to anyone who liked/loved the movie.
We are let in on the "secret" much earlier in the book, but that's okay. A few things are different--the main character is the waiter, the ending is different. There seems to have been a dispute with some friends of mine about the ending...is he dead or is he in a mental institute? I think the later, but it's open to interpretation. My boyfriend says that a few years ago his friends were raving about the movie..."what a great idea!" they said. Then he challenged then to a fight, no one would do it. He doesn't understand why, if they thought it was so cool, and had agreed with the frustration and hopelessness of the characters--the philosophy. He offered a five minute, boxing glove fight. In the end, one dude said he would, but my BF said that if non one else was into it, they wouldn't pull them off each other if it got too weird. I'd have done it, if I were there. But, I'm crazy. Instead, they went on to passively-agressively destroy their friendships as the weight of student-loans, and a poor ecomony that had a law-grad working in local grocery co-op.
We are let in on the "secret" much earlier in the book, but that's okay. A few things are different--the main character is the waiter, the ending is different. There seems to have been a dispute with some friends of mine about the ending...is he dead or is he in a mental institute? I think the later, but it's open to interpretation. My boyfriend says that a few years ago his friends were raving about the movie..."what a great idea!" they said. Then he challenged then to a fight, no one would do it. He doesn't understand why, if they thought it was so cool, and had agreed with the frustration and hopelessness of the characters--the philosophy. He offered a five minute, boxing glove fight. In the end, one dude said he would, but my BF said that if non one else was into it, they wouldn't pull them off each other if it got too weird. I'd have done it, if I were there. But, I'm crazy. Instead, they went on to passively-agressively destroy their friendships as the weight of student-loans, and a poor ecomony that had a law-grad working in local grocery co-op.
Journal Entry 14 by CrazyPooka at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Portland, Oregon USA on Sunday, August 17, 2003
Released on Sunday, August 17, 2003 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in Portland, Oregon USA.
This book is being mailed to Kernow8, the next leg on this ray. Wishing you sunshine and happy reading! (Enjoy the envelope!)
This book is being mailed to Kernow8, the next leg on this ray. Wishing you sunshine and happy reading! (Enjoy the envelope!)
Journal Entry 15 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Just arrived in the mail in a truly amazing envelope which I will try to re-use for the same book when I pass it on, and may even put a journal photo of it in (with a disclaimer making it clear that it wasn't me that decorated it - I'm nowhere near creative enough. I think it was CrazyPooka's fine work).I have just started another book, should have finished it within a few days then this one's next - and I'm looking forward to it!
I'm in the middle of the book now - it's great. Interesting to read after seeing the movie - when you see a movie like that where a big secret plot twist is revealed at the end (other obvious ones that spring to mind are The Sixth Sense, The Crying Game & The Usual Suspects) and you want to watch it again straight away to see how early you start getting hints as to the true nature of the character(s) in question. But I never do watch them again, at least not straight away. Well reading this book only about a year after I saw the movie feels like I'm getting that opportunity to see how cleverly the plot was worked, or maybe how stupid I was not to have seen it straight away when I saw the movie.Of course, the book is more than the movie - although in parts it feels like reading a screenplay. There are lots of bits of the book that I can't remember from the movie though. And the writing is excellent - so sparse (I was amazed at how slim the book is) and yet so rich and with some amazing figurative language.
The journal picture is of some home-made soap I bought a few weeks ago for my daughter at a local farmer's market. We haven't started using it yet, and for some reason I feel a bit squeamish about it now...
Nothing much to add to the last entry - I've finished the book now and will hopefully mail today to dawni.
Although the book was still an excellent read, I do wish I'd read it before seeing the movie - it would have been interesting to see how gripping it became as the plot developed (it lacks a bit of suspense when you essentially know the story already!). I thought the most interesting concept was that the desperation that led the space monkeys to fight club and ultimately Project Mayhem was not caused by poverty or repression but by a desire to get away from the pointlessness of day to day life. "Generations have been working in jobs they hate, just so they can buy what they don't really need." Frightening stuff as it is so true - there are millions of people looking for meaning in their lives.
Update - sent today (August 29th) to dawni.
Although the book was still an excellent read, I do wish I'd read it before seeing the movie - it would have been interesting to see how gripping it became as the plot developed (it lacks a bit of suspense when you essentially know the story already!). I thought the most interesting concept was that the desperation that led the space monkeys to fight club and ultimately Project Mayhem was not caused by poverty or repression but by a desire to get away from the pointlessness of day to day life. "Generations have been working in jobs they hate, just so they can buy what they don't really need." Frightening stuff as it is so true - there are millions of people looking for meaning in their lives.
Update - sent today (August 29th) to dawni.
Received in the mail today from Kernow8... and I can't wait to start reading it!LOVE the envelope, BTW... very creative! I'll definitely reuse it when I mail it out to the next person on the list... it's too cool to waste! I'm a bit confused by the note inside, though, from ellymae58... she's not on this bookray (as far as I can see), so I'm not sure how her note got into the book! It's a BookCrossing mystery...
dawni
This was a great, quick, thought-provoking read, and one of the rare times where the movie version actually sticks incredibly close to the spirit of the book. Thank you, CurtAngel, for including me on this bookray!
I'll be sending this off to jazzy7112 just as soon as I get her address.
dawni
I'll be sending this off to jazzy7112 just as soon as I get her address.
dawni
Turns out jazzy7112 has moved down on the list, so talkland is next. Book was mailed to talkland this afternoon.
dawni
dawni
Journal Entry 21 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Sunday, September 21, 2003
The book and the snazzy envelope has arrived in England. The bad news is the envelope has died and gone to heaven, Canadian and British Postal Services to blame there I think!
The good news is that the book is intacted and in good nick. Will journal again when I have read it.
The good news is that the book is intacted and in good nick. Will journal again when I have read it.
The film 'Fight Club' was a very faithful adaption of this book. What more can I say except both the film and the novel are excellent. I am definitely interesting in reading what Chuck Palahniuk has written since this book, his first published novel. I hope I won't be disappointed.
Released on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 to a fellow bookcrosser, mailed in Eastbourne, England United Kingdom.
Another trip to the post-office!
Another trip to the post-office!
Just got it. Thanks Talkland for mailing (nice stamps!) and Berthamason for sharing.I'm looking forward to reading this book and will start it as soon as i'm done with The Baron in the Trees.
Great book.Last night I couldn't put it down before I finished it. I've read Chuck Palahniuk's Lullaby before this and highly recommend it to everyone who liked Fight Club.
(...) My tiny life. My little shit job. My Sweedish furniture. I never, no, never told anyone this, but before I met Tyler, I was planning to buy a dog and name it "Entourage".
This is how bad your life can get. (...)
(...) My tiny life. My little shit job. My Sweedish furniture. I never, no, never told anyone this, but before I met Tyler, I was planning to buy a dog and name it "Entourage".
This is how bad your life can get. (...)
Released on Thursday, November 06, 2003 at mailed to another bookcrosser in Lisboa, lisboa Portugal.Mailing this to fio-dagua today.
I've re-used talkland's envelope and hopefully made it strong enough to last for a few more trips. Also I've given the book a "jacket" as it's starting to show some signs of having travelled so much.
Thanks again for sharing :)
it´s with me for now.
i realize this envelope has a history, so i´ll keep it safe untill its next journey!
thanks a lot! =)
i realize this envelope has a history, so i´ll keep it safe untill its next journey!
thanks a lot! =)
Journal Entry 28 by Phoebus-Lazurd from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Sunday, March 21, 2004
Just got it today trought Ruf.
I'll read it as soon as possible.
Thanks 4 sharing.
I'll read it as soon as possible.
Thanks 4 sharing.
Journal Entry 29 by Phoebus-Lazurd from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Sunday, April 4, 2004
What is real life?
Don't we fake a lot?
Isn't there a Tyler inside each of us?
Great book. I liked the subjects and specially the writting of the author (interior monologue?). Tonight i'll see the movie and i'm a bite curious..
I'll ship the book really soon to the States.
Just got the book in the mail day before yesterday, and have already started reading. So far, I am impressed. I like his language - and I definitely appreciate the fact that the people who made the movie tried to preserve it as much as possible.
Finished the book. Definitely interesting - managed to depress me (sort of) for several days after I finished it. Though I agreed with what they were saying, I disagreed with the methods - which is probably the point. Glad I got to read it.
Waiting for an address from Kalipriestess, and then I shall have it out lickety split, faster than a speeding bullet, and other such terms.
Waiting for an address from Kalipriestess, and then I shall have it out lickety split, faster than a speeding bullet, and other such terms.
I've sent PMs to the person next in line, the person after them, and the person who organized the ray. None of them have answered. I'll try again with all three, and I wanted to apologize to everyone in the ray for the ridiculously long time I've kept it.
It's mailed! I finally managed to pass it on!
Again, sorry for the horrible delay and mix-up. Hope it at least gets through the post office quickly.
Sent to Salinger007
Again, sorry for the horrible delay and mix-up. Hope it at least gets through the post office quickly.
Sent to Salinger007
Hooray its here!! I have been so excited about reading this one. I can tell its been well read, as it is coming out of its binding. I take that as a good sign about its contents.
Thank you, CurtAngel for sharing this one. I absolutely loved it and stayed up very late to finish it last night. I love Palahniuk's writing style. Blunt, short sentences, straight to the point, and yet the story is not jagged or lacking in detail. This book has really made me think and its lingering like a sweet dream, or (maybe) nightmare. Could anyone get that absolutely bored with their life? MY absolute favorite statement in the book is on page 166 and comes from Tyler, ofcourse.
" We are the middle children of history,raised by television to believe that someday we'll be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars, but we won't.And we're just learning this fact...so don't f*** with us." I LOVE his passion! Even if it is misguided, its passion d*** it! This story is a great reminder of how lacking passion is in our society. Maybe, we are not lacking passion, but instead we spend all of our time looking for something to feel passionate about? I agree with CrazyPooka about the ending, I too believe that he is in a mental hospital. I'm glad it is open for a little interpretation, though. It makes this book even more enchanting.
As for the physical book itself, its looking pretty rough. It is in three parts. Pages 1-85, are one part that is totally out of the binding, as are pages 193-203. Page 109 is ripped down the middle because the pages were stuck together and as I pried them apart they ripped. I plan on going to a few used bookstores over the weekend. If I can find a copy, I will throw this one away and put the BCID in the newer one. If I can't find a copy, I'll doctor this one up as best I can. Regardless, it will be on its way to Tootshelling Monday morning.
" We are the middle children of history,raised by television to believe that someday we'll be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars, but we won't.And we're just learning this fact...so don't f*** with us." I LOVE his passion! Even if it is misguided, its passion d*** it! This story is a great reminder of how lacking passion is in our society. Maybe, we are not lacking passion, but instead we spend all of our time looking for something to feel passionate about? I agree with CrazyPooka about the ending, I too believe that he is in a mental hospital. I'm glad it is open for a little interpretation, though. It makes this book even more enchanting.
As for the physical book itself, its looking pretty rough. It is in three parts. Pages 1-85, are one part that is totally out of the binding, as are pages 193-203. Page 109 is ripped down the middle because the pages were stuck together and as I pried them apart they ripped. I plan on going to a few used bookstores over the weekend. If I can find a copy, I will throw this one away and put the BCID in the newer one. If I can't find a copy, I'll doctor this one up as best I can. Regardless, it will be on its way to Tootshelling Monday morning.
Tootshelling asked to be skipped on this one, so it will be on its way to Hawaii as soon as I get an address.
AAARRGG!! Not that it wasn't good, but I wish I could get rid of this book. Now Fanclub wants to be removed. I'll try the next BCer on the list. Wish me luck and sorry for the delay!
I can't get an address from anyone!! Eithne hasn't responded to my PMs as of yet. I will send one to Jazzy7112. The first one that sends me an address will get it.
Jazzy7112 wants to be deleted also. I'll try fushmush and send it on to Australia if I'm lucky.
This book is on its way to Eithne in Florida. Enjoy!
I love this book. I love the movie equally. I can't say that often, usually the book is much better than the movie version...but with Fight Club, I think they're both great. Yay!
