When I read Fight Club, the first novel by Chuck Palahniuk,
I felt that it was one smart modern novel. It entertains like a thriller, there
is a superb climatic twist, and it makes one wonder about existence making it a
worthwhile read for the time spent on it. That was the reason I picked up his
latest novel titled Damned with much expectation. Damned, also like Fight club,
is an irreverent take on the world but told with more humor and satire. It
entertains as well as makes the reader think deeply about several small follies
of our existence that we conveniently push below the rug.
Damned tells the story of a dead thirteen year old girl
condemned to live in hell for an eternity. Spencer Madison is the child of a
movie producer and an actress. Her parents travels around the world making
movies and professing the green way of life and adopting poor kids from third
world nations (no prize for guessing who they are!) . The novel starts when
Madison wakes up in hell inside a cage. She supposes that she is dead due to
marijuana overdose and that is why she ended up there. She befriends people
around her, starts getting adjusted to the life there and ultimately becomes a
popular figure there by acting as a bridge between living and dead. In between
there are reminiscences about her life before death, her relation with her
parents, classmates and her adopted brother Goran.
Though the novel deals with death and afterlife world, it is
no way dark or depressing. Spencer Madison starts her life in hell as a
teenager confused about her identity, frustrated about her death and irritated
about abandoning her hopes. Every chapter starts with an address to Satan,
where Spencer Madison introduces herself to Satan. It is actually a spoof of
some teen novel where the girl speaks to God about her personal issues and
problems. But as the novel progress, she
finds out that even in hell hope can still work. There are several ironic
observations about life coming through Madison’s observations. Its irreverent
sarcasm works in the favor of the novel, though at some points the story
becomes dull and repetitive. Overall this novel will amuse if you do not have a
problem with some obscenity included in it. But still it is a long way away
from Fight Club.
Didn't know about this novel. The concept seems very interesting, thanks for sharing this Harish.
ReplyDeletehmmm interesting .. but then i guess the moral would be that HOPE is always there even in hell its how we use it that matters ..
ReplyDeletegood review sir thank you.
Bikram's
Even the best novelists have average books written. I did like fight club though not really my kind of book. Good review.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read ur review, I remember about the days when I was crazy about books and reading. Now days my involvement in electronic things keep me maway from books.
ReplyDeleteLet me ask you a question. How do you manage to lap up novel after novel with your regular day job; which I am sure will keep you occupied for at least 12 hrs a day
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review, Harish! Sounds like an interesting book! I've heard about Fight Club but Damned sounds totally different! Madison sounds like someone I'd like to meet and it's interesting that it all begins in Hell for her! Will check this out when I have the time to! Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeletei am loving it
ReplyDeleteGreat review as always...But I thought after marriage you would read different genres..I mean Not FightClub! Convey my hello to ur pretty wifey!
ReplyDelete