A great collection of mini nonfiction stories by Chuck Palahniuk.
In these "essays", the reader can really appreciate his unique writing style and sense of humor.
Personally, I didn't finish the book because I'm more of a novel person. However, it's a great little read for lunch breaks and what not. The reader can easily get through a single story in ten minutes or less.
He opens off his book with a huge attention grabber by describing the "testicle festival" that takes place in Montana.
I'll have to read one of Chuck's novels before I can give him a true judging. It was just the layout I wasn't fond of-not his style.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Story of Junk
By Lina Yablonsky
Easily one of the best non-fiction novels I have read!
The way she tells the story addiction compels the read to think beyond the stereo-type.
Her honesty and straightforwardness of her tale places the reader right in the thick of the events. For me personally, it made me want to try drugs to see if that was what they are truly like and then again, it repelled me even more from the thought of attempting to poison my body.
Excerpt:
PART ONEKNOCK KNOCK
New York City March 1986
"Who's there?"
"Mailman," comes the answer. "Special delivery."
I open the door. Why did I open the door?
I see a mailman, six-foot, barrel chest, receding blond, blue eyes. No mail.
"Is your name Laura?"
"No, you must have the wrong apartment." I start to close the door. It's afternoon but I'm in my pajamas, rags I sleep in. I like to sleep in rags.
"Just a moment." He pushes hack the door. "Your name's not Laura?"
"No," I say. "It isn't."
He takes a folded letter from a trouser pocket, opens it. I'm staring at his shoes, scuffed, pointy-toed, buff-colored western boots. Do mailmen wear western boots?
"Is this--?" He gives the address, the apartment number.
"Yes, but there must be some mistake."
"This is the right address but you're not Laura?"
"That's right. I'm not."
"Is this your apartment?"
"Yes."
"Well, who are you then?" Before I can make a reply, he pushes the door open wide. "Never mind. Federal agents, D.E.A. Step back, please. We're coming in."
As great of a perspective and honest that Yablonsky provides, I can't help but think that the story of drugs and addiction in the 80s has no relevance to what it might be like in 2010. However, in the 80s was when drugs use really became a common thing and HIV/AIDS was just being recognized. So today, people know of the dangers and perhaps users take precautions that those from the 80s did not.
I truly appreciate Yablonsky for sharing her story. That was all she did, she didn't try to talk her readers into never trying drugs, she allows the reader to make their own conclusions from her words.
Easily one of the best non-fiction novels I have read!
The way she tells the story addiction compels the read to think beyond the stereo-type.
Her honesty and straightforwardness of her tale places the reader right in the thick of the events. For me personally, it made me want to try drugs to see if that was what they are truly like and then again, it repelled me even more from the thought of attempting to poison my body.
Excerpt:
New York City March 1986
- KNOCK KNOCK
"Who's there?"
"Mailman," comes the answer. "Special delivery."
I open the door. Why did I open the door?
I see a mailman, six-foot, barrel chest, receding blond, blue eyes. No mail.
"Is your name Laura?"
"No, you must have the wrong apartment." I start to close the door. It's afternoon but I'm in my pajamas, rags I sleep in. I like to sleep in rags.
"Just a moment." He pushes hack the door. "Your name's not Laura?"
"No," I say. "It isn't."
He takes a folded letter from a trouser pocket, opens it. I'm staring at his shoes, scuffed, pointy-toed, buff-colored western boots. Do mailmen wear western boots?
"Is this--?" He gives the address, the apartment number.
"Yes, but there must be some mistake."
"This is the right address but you're not Laura?"
"That's right. I'm not."
"Is this your apartment?"
"Yes."
"Well, who are you then?" Before I can make a reply, he pushes the door open wide. "Never mind. Federal agents, D.E.A. Step back, please. We're coming in."
As great of a perspective and honest that Yablonsky provides, I can't help but think that the story of drugs and addiction in the 80s has no relevance to what it might be like in 2010. However, in the 80s was when drugs use really became a common thing and HIV/AIDS was just being recognized. So today, people know of the dangers and perhaps users take precautions that those from the 80s did not.
I truly appreciate Yablonsky for sharing her story. That was all she did, she didn't try to talk her readers into never trying drugs, she allows the reader to make their own conclusions from her words.
Monday, January 25, 2010
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