Palahniuk Chuck: biography, works, quotes, reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Chuck Palahniuk is one of today's controversial writers. He became widely known for the 1999 film Fight Club, based on the novel of the same name. Chuck himself was nicknamed "the king of the counterculture" by journalists for his frank, sometimes violent and very naturalistic works.

Chuck Palahniuk: Biography

Full name - Charles Michael Palahniuk. Born in the American town of Pasco, Washington, in February 1962. The writer's family has an unusual origin. His grandfather was a Ukrainian who emigrated first to Canada and then to the United States, and eventually settled in New York in 1907.

In 1986, Palahniuk himself graduated from the journalism department of the University of Oregon, USA. Chuck worked as an intern at National Public Radio's KLCC throughout his studies. The facility was located in Eugene, Oregon.

After graduating from university, the writer went to Portland, where he worked as a journalist for a local newspaper. At the same time, he took a job as a diesel mechanic and combined it with writing instructions for repairing trucks.

Searchyourself

Chuck Palahniuk wanted to find something more than just a job. Therefore, he got a job as a volunteer in a shelter for the homeless. Then he worked in a hospice, but not for long. Transported critically ill patients to support group meetings. The writer left this work after one of these patients, who became his friend, died.

Later joined the Cacophony Society. It is believed that it was it that became the prototype of the groups described by the author in his novels.

Origin of the surname

Chuck Palahniuk is the writer's real name, but it's pronounced a bit oddly. This incident happened to the writer as a child. His parents took him to the cemetery to visit relatives. There he saw the graves of his grandparents. Their names were engraved on the plates: Paula, Nick. Adding both names, the author received the combination "PolaNick", which bizarrely combined with the family's surname. Therefore, the writer's surname is read as "Palanik", and not according to the rules of pronunciation - "Pelanik". The name Chuck is short for Charles.

The beginning of creativity

Only at the age of 30 did Chuck Palahniuk start his writing career. The works, however, did not appear immediately. At first, Chuck attended Tom Spownbauer's writing classes. Although the author went to them with one goal - to make new friends. Despite this, Spawnbauer managed to greatly influence Palahniuk's style, which was then characterized by excessive minimalism. In the same period, the author wrote his first novel, but did not publish it. After re-reading the finished version, stronglydisappointed in the storyline. However, a small piece of the piece was used in Fight Club.

The publisher refused to publish the next novel called "The Invisibles", saying that it was too outrageous. Chuck Palahniuk wrote the next work in spite of the publisher in an even more outrageous form. Quotes from this creation are familiar to many, because it was "Fight Club".

Palahniuk worked on The Invisibles for a very long time, paying particular attention to the art style. As for the plot, it fascinates, although it is not the main one in the book. Despite this, Palahniuk already in this debut work was able to show the features of his style, which manifested itself in non-standard plot moves and unexpected surprises for the reader. In addition, there are scenes of violence, a lot of medical details and gore in the novel.

In our country, Palahniuk became widely known only after the release of the movie Fight Club.

In 1999, Chuck's life underwent significant changes, which were reflected in his work. His father Fred began dating a woman named Donna Fontaine. She sent Dale, her ex-boyfriend, to jail, accusing him of rape. The guy swore that he would kill her when he got out. A few years later, Dale got free and killed Donna and Fred. He carried their bodies to the house, which he then set on fire. In 2001, Dale was found guilty and sentenced to death.

These events inspired Palahniuk to write a book that was published under titled "Lullaby". The writer himself in an interview said that in this way he tried to cope with the tragedy.

Fight Club

Initially, "Fight Club" was a short story included in the collection Pursuit of Hapiness. This work later became the 6th chapter of the novel. Chuck then decided to turn the story into a novella. To the surprise of the writer himself, the publisher decided to publish it.

The publication of the book was very successful. Not only did readers enjoy the story of a split personality and rebellion against public opinion, but critics praised it as well. The book has even won a number of awards. No wonder even Hollywood showed interest in her. And in 1999, the film of the same name, directed by David Finch, was released. It is believed that the picture failed at the box office, as the box office was very modest. However, after the release on DVD, the film not only paid off, but also gained cult status.

The release of the film contributed to the interest of the book. Fight Club was re-released in 1999, 2004 and 2005.

Chuck Palahniuk can really be proud of this book. Quotes from the book became very popular. Most famous: “Only by losing everything do we gain the freedom to do anything”, “Generations of people work in jobs they hate to buy things they don’t need”, “Self-destruction is more important than self-improvement.”

Suffocation

Chuck Palahniuk wrote in 2001 the book "Suffocation", which according to the "New York Times"became the number 1 bestseller in the country.

She tells the story of a young swindler who goes daily to the richest restaurants, where he acts out asphyxia. For this, he manages to get good money.

In addition, the problems of alcoholism, sex, worship of things, etc. are touched upon. Palahniuk himself speaks of his creation as follows: “Are you going to read it? In vain!”.

In 2008 the book was filmed. The director Clark Gregg, little known in our country, worked on the film. In Russia, the premiere took place in 2009. However, the film could not repeat the success of Fight Club.

Quotes from the book: “In order for life to get better, it must first get worse”, “Art is born only from grief. And never for joy.”

Chuck Palahniuk: Reader Reviews

Creativity Palahniuk perceived radically opposite. Some call him a cult writer and perceive his novels as a real discovery and a call to action. Others, on the contrary, say that the author is too naturalistic, and only in an aggressive narrative is all his success, and not in some ideas that reflect modern reality.

Thus, for some, Palahniuk is a master of the pen, for others - just a naturalist. However, neither one nor the other remain indifferent. It is worth getting acquainted with the work of this original author, if only because he really had a great influence on literature and the generation of young people at the turn of the 21st century.