Book 32

"Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk

I've only ever read one other book by Chuck Palahniuk, and it wasn't "Fight Club". It was, however, very clever, extremely readable and really fucked up. "Haunted" continues the trend. It is the story of a bunch of misfits, social maladjusts and basic screw-ups who join a 'Writers' Retreat' to withdraw from the world for 30 days. What happens to them (and what they do to each other) is told in a series of short stories and poems, each written by a different member of the group and told from a different point of view.

The different styles and attitudes behind the writing manage to keep the reader hooked (or, at least, this reader). As a warning, remember that Chuck does enjoy his messed-up shit (like self-mutilation and murder), so if the thought of that sort of thing puts you off, this may not be the book for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy a well-constructed and clever story you might want to pick this one up.

Three and a half crazy millionaires out of five.