Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

                

Published: 2005

Publisher: Anchor

Format: Kindle 

This was so disappointing

Haunted has been on my to read list for about 2 years. I was so looking forward to finally getting to read it. Especially at Halloween.

So, is it really as disturbingly gross as everyone says?
No ...


It's really not that bad. I've read much worse so I suppose I'm not exactly squeamish.


The idea itself is promising. A group of wannabe writers volunteer to "disappear" for 3 months so they can each write a best selling novel. However the solitude isn't nearly as inspirational as they expected. The resort to creating their own drama. They need to have a news worthy story to tell when they eventually leave.


They start simple by sabotaging the water and heating systems. Not satisfied with mere starvation they decide that drastic measures need to be taken. This involves them chopping off various amounts of fingers and/or toes.

I found it way too ridiculous to be horrified! Gangrene and infection don't seem to exist in this world. They all seem to get along just fine with less and 10 fingers and toes.

We learn about each person through a series of short stories. Some are well written. I loved guts (the first story). It was absurd but almost believable! Others, I just found utterly boring.

Other reviewers have pointed out that the stories all feel the same. That it's obviously one person writing. This hits the nail on the head. To me, a skilled writer is some who can convincingly write in multiple voices. This really stopped me from immersing myself in the story.

Haunted just really fell short for me and left me, on the whole, unimpressed. 

I also hate the cover. But that's not really that important....  

Rating:

★  ★  ☆  ☆  ☆