It's worth noting that this book is the second part in a series written by the same author. The first book is called Damned (also reviewed in this blog)
The idea to read this book came simply from reading the first book (Damned) Originally it was a coworker who got me started on my Palahnuik kick; at this point I am undecided if I will continue to read too many more of his books.
Without giving to much away the book continues to follow the life (or after life) of Madison Spencer. In this book she has escaped from Hell and is on earth as an invisible observer. At this point in the book series Satan has been trying to convince Madison that he has authored her life and she is predestined to play an instrumental role in sending millions of the still living to eternal damnation. In the first part of this series Madison was under the impression that Hell was a good place to be and she had been communicating with living people and spreading the word. Eventually word spreads (like it does in Fight Club fashion) and the world begins a new religion based on her teachings; Boorism. The people of the Boorist faith are people that are horribly mean to each other, verbally abusive, but instead of being viewed as 'wrong' these actions are instead seen as kind gestures; an entry into heaven. Never has a world filled with so much 'wrong', seemed so 'right'. Madison, somewhere in the book, realizes the error of her ways and sets out to make things right; to warn people that they are actually damning themselves.
Palahnuik gets into some dark territory with this book; he depicts a very gritty and rather disturbing account in Madison's past, which at the time of reading seemed to make little sense other than shock-value, and (for me at least) was almost too disgusting to finish reading. However, he redeems himself in the last few chapters, as you realize that things are not always what they seem and what was a disturbing encounter between Madison and her Grandfather earlier in the story, makes more sense after you realize the truth Palahnuik has laid out. The book ends with the promise of a third part to the series, making it a possible trilogy. The next book hints of Madison being unable to identify between good and evil, between God and the Devil. She vows to "reconcile Satan and God" She plans to "resolve all conflict" between the two superpowers of the afterlife. Sounds complicated, but if you enjoyed Damned, this book is almost necessary to finish, and part three, if it does get written, will simply be a MUST read.
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the feeling of being totally grossed out while they read. This book was, at times, flat out disturbing, more so than the first part in the series. This time however, Palahnuik seems to have put more thought into the story, and there were more twists near the end that I found to tie the rest of the story together nicely. I enjoy books that can make a complete 180 degree turn in the last 10-20 pages, and in doing so, completely redeem certain characters that you hated throughout most of the book. Palahnuik's use of satire ( one of his trademarks ) is less obvious in this book, making it more enjoyable for me than the first part. In Palahnuik fashion, we are shown a not-so-unique obsession behind religion, how people can allow themselves to lose all sense of right and wrong when they become obsessed. This book, in a very drawn out way, depicts the struggle between good and evil, and in its last few pages promises to mend the two in order to create some sort of peace. We'll need to wait for part three to get more from this mention.
On my sliding scale I give this book a 5/10. I am still not entirely sold on Palahnuik as a "generation defining author", but I am committed to at least 2-3 more of his books. Call me a sucker, but there is always something in his books that keeps me wanting to read a little longer. Perhaps when Palahnuik finishes this potential trilogy in their entity, perhaps then, the completed works together will make it a more enjoyable experience. I am certainly committed to reading another if he does, I simply must get an end to the life of Madison Spencer now that I have started.
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