Audio Book Author Spotlight: Chuck Palahniuk

Looking for a REALLY Different Audiobook Author?

My tastes usually run towards mysteries, thrillers, and literary fiction. Chuck Palahniuk’s writing is none of these… and all of these. I’m not sure how his novels are actually categorized, but if there was a field called “strange” his work would dominate the genre.

Fight Club:

You might have heard of Fight Club (narrated by Jim Colby). If you haven’t, it might be because the first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. Incidentally, the second rule of Fight Club is: You DO NOT talk about Fight Club. Without breaking the rules, I can tell you that the movie with Brad Pitt does a good job of capturing the essence of the book. Anarchic, exhilarating, and completely original, Fight Club will surprise you… but don’t break the rules. Start here if you are new to Palahniuk.

Audio Book Author Chuck Palahniuk

Lullaby:

Imagine a newspaper reporter investigating Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. During his inquiry, he discovers a common theme: a lullaby contained in a children’s book is actually an African Death Chant. Welcome to Lullaby (read by Richard Poe). The reporter discovers the lethal power of the chant and from there the story descends into chaos as he tries to locate the remaining copies of the book to destroy them. If you are looking for a linear plot, this one isn’t for you.

Choke:

Choke (narrated by the author) is the story of a med-school dropout and sexahollic who has developed a unique con. In need of money to pay for his mother’s medical care, he pretends to choke in restaurants in order to scam sympathy checks from the people who “save” him. Don’t reach for this one if you are offended by sex and profanity.

Haunted:

Haunted (read by a full cast), is a novel made up of 23 stories. Each story is told by a writer who has responded to an advertisement for a 3 month retreat, during which they will leave life behind for three months so that they can create their literary masterpieces. The writers find themselves locked in an abandoned theater, completely isolated.

Their various devious manipulations put them all in jeopardy as their situation becomes more and more desperate. Prepare to be disturbed and a little uncomfortable – this one is like a horrible accident. You just can’t look away. You’ll either love it or hate it… pretty much like all of Palahniuk’s work.

Are you ready to step out of your safety zone and try something really different? Listen to an audiobook by Chuck Palahniuk.