Book Review: ‘Snuff’

By TONY MARTIN

Dealing with some intense subject matter and having an insanely dark wit are two identifying characteristics of works by cult hero Chuck Palahniuk.

His latest work, “Snuff,” is focused on an adult film star who is planning on breaking a conspicuous industry record (serial fornication, don’t make me spell it out for you).

Told from the perspective of Sheila, the personal assistant of the actress, and three men known only as Mr. 72, Mr. 137, and Mr. 600, “Snuff” is a stroke of brilliance. The humor is undeniable; the story line evolves from the absurd to the emotional, then back to the absurd just in time for the hilarious ending. It would be too hard to talk about the book without giving anything away, because at its short length, the plot breezes by as if it was a novella.

It can, however, be discussed as a case study into the twisted mind of Palahniuk and in turn the twisted minds of his characters. All of their motivations are sinister and they evolve and become different people all without ever leaving the same room. As the last plot twist spins and the reader is left in a daze, it should become obvious that there is just something about Palahniuk’s writing that makes perfect sense, even if we may not understand it.