Currently Reading

[Shorty]

I'm halfway into Rant and my mind is being blown. No evident twists of stories as per his usual themes have emerged, but these things usually surface near the end. Maybe there won't be one at all! What has emerged are some very unusual developments that have not been mentioned at all earlier in the book and I have a feeling the story is about to get much more interesting. Many of the characters' relationships with Rant are explained at the beginning of the book because many of them are people he grew up with, knew as a kid or were family. The relationships of the remaining narrators - who I can only assume were his friends - are just now being explained and it's intriguing, to say the least about it.

I've read a lot of criticism about how this book is confusing. It's a collective narrations about a dead man, sortof like a memoir, I guess, but it's obviously all very fictional. In reviews, I've read that some people found it difficult to follow all the different narrations and characters presented. Another theme of Palahniuk's is jumping the story and setting all over the goddamn place, which I understand can create a feeling of confusion. Once you understand the story's structure and pacing, though, it becomes easier to follow. I also find that the jumping around makes me anticipate happenings more and makes me more excited for what comes next. It might be a cheap trick, but it works on me.

I have read similar criticisms of Rant about his book Haunted, which I picked up last night. A friend of mine recommended this to me earlier this year and I kindof rolled my eyes at it because saying her taste is less-than-stellar would a compliment to her. Now I feel bad for the eye-rolling because if Haunted is in any way, shape or form like Rant, I think I will greatly enjoy it.

I keep acquiring new books and don't read the ones I already have ;_________;