Invisible Monsters

This book merits four stars because I'm kind of at a loss for words. I was expecting more of the same from Chuck Palahniuk, writing-wise, and that's what I got. I didn't have any expectations of the story. This, I think, is a good thing and worked out well for me. Invisible Monsters is horrifying and its author certifiable, or at least capable of playing it on TV. That said, I had to keep reading to get my next “WTF?!” fix. Now that I'm done with the book, I'm jonesing; I might have to start watching Lost.

Capsule review in the style of a Chuck Palahniuk character:
This is Sartre screaming “hell is other people” into a mirror. This is Bruce Wayne saying “Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot” and Jesus replying “Well, you're all criminals in your heart.” This is one of those places that you visit and say “This is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live here”, when you really mean to say “Get me the hell out of this place as soon as possible.”

You kind of get the feeling the man needs a hug.

Invisible Monsters is a slightly convoluted look at beauty and loss, and self-medication and self-denial. It's cynical and dark, just as the man's work always is, and has the same sort of demon zen god understanding that facing the worst, most empty corners of humanity will convince us that that's all we're capable of.

Like I said, it's a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to live there.