Damned by Chuck Palahniuk
Title: Damned
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Score: 7/10
Damned is the story of 13 year old Madison who dies of a marijuana overdose (I know what you're thinking but there is an explanation in the book) and ends up in hell. Most of the book covers a very detailed, stomach-turning and ingenious description of hell. This description includes the geography of hell, of course, but also the social ladder. As we all might guess, hell is very crowded.
Where to begin? Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favourite authors. Invisible Monsters was literally like a punch in the face and I've come to the conclusion that there are two sides to every one of his books: the 'weird' side and the 'punch in your face social reality' side.
I will have to say that this book was more the latter than the former. The reality of children born into privileged families and spending their lives in boarding schools on different continents without the support of their caring and yet seemingly too busy and incapable parents is covered. But how could we forget details such as the Steaming Dog Pile Mountains and the Swamp of Rancid Perspiration?
Madison shows a remarkable degree of self-awareness and creates herself a new life in this new world, making friends along the way whilst slowly revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings which she initially hides behind a façade of teenager angst.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book although it is very much an 'adult' book and is not for the weak hearted or those prone to involuntarily losing their lunch.
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Score: 7/10
Where to begin? Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favourite authors. Invisible Monsters was literally like a punch in the face and I've come to the conclusion that there are two sides to every one of his books: the 'weird' side and the 'punch in your face social reality' side.
I will have to say that this book was more the latter than the former. The reality of children born into privileged families and spending their lives in boarding schools on different continents without the support of their caring and yet seemingly too busy and incapable parents is covered. But how could we forget details such as the Steaming Dog Pile Mountains and the Swamp of Rancid Perspiration?
Madison shows a remarkable degree of self-awareness and creates herself a new life in this new world, making friends along the way whilst slowly revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings which she initially hides behind a façade of teenager angst.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book although it is very much an 'adult' book and is not for the weak hearted or those prone to involuntarily losing their lunch.
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