I just finished Chuck Pallahniuk's novel, Diary, and I can't decide if I like his novels or not. In the last few months I have read, Choke, Lullaby, and now Diary.
Pallahniuk is a bit off center. His work is satirical and for some could be offensive.
I have been interested for a long time in what has been called the Medical Humanities and I have renamed the Psychotherapeutic Humanities. There also is a field in psychotherapy named "bibliotherapy" which promotes books for clients/patients that might be therapeutic.
I also believe that the humanities teach therapists more about life and help them become more understanding, empathic, and compassionate. A good film and a good novel can have a positive effect on therapists and clients alike and on the public at large.
Novels and films depict a moral model of the world and how life does work or could work or even maybe how it should work.
Pallahniuk's novels are dark and comical and are good at making one more cynical, disdainful, and contemptuous. I am not sure about their socially redeeming value. I find myself reading them because they certainly are not boring because they depict life in fanciful and bizarre ways. They are entertaining enough, but I am leary about recommending them.
If you want to know more about Diary you can go to Amazon by clicking here.
I would be very interested in other people's comments on the social benefit of Pallahniuk's novels.
I'm a big fan of Chuck's books. They spark my imagination, make me think about who I am and why I am here, and what's interesting is that they keep bringing me back. I've read each of his novels at least twice.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of bibliotherapy, I think using Chuck's books would depend on the person. I can speak for me and say that as a younger man, they provided excellent questions without sparking me towards antisocial behavior (ironic considering my blog name...). Now, if someone were to take the messages literally, I'd think that Chuck's books MAY not be the best idea...
Hi Antiswer:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. It makes me feel a little bit better. I am curious how Chuck's books "provided excellent questions"? Like what?
Thanks again.
All the best,
David Markham
For me, the main questions were existential in nature. Why am I making the choices I'm making? What is my purpose? Do I really have any control at all? What is the nature of beauty? Do I have to follow this culture, or can I create my own path?
ReplyDeleteThese questions aren't new, but for me, they were in a form that was more accessible than old philosophy texts.
I was stuck in a rut when the movie Fight Club came out, and each time I saw it, it inspired me to action. The more I read Chuck's books, the more open to going with the flow I was...
I dunno if that made any sense, but it makes sense to me, so I'll go through with the "Post Comment" button pushing.
Cheers!
antiSWer