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Chuck Palahniuk
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Fight Club: A Novel Paperback – May 1, 2004

by Chuck Palahniuk (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 15,776 ratings
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With more than 300,000 copies sold, Chuck Palahniuk's brilliant first novel and cult classic is being reissued with a new Introduction by the author

An underground classic since its first publication in 1996, Fight Club is widely recognized as one of the most original and provocative novels of the last decade. Now the author adds his own voice to the critical debate he generated. In a new Introduction, he discusses the various interpretations in the popular media of Fight Club and the movie it inspired, as well as his personal reactions to the work's reception and the influence that the Fight Club phenomenon has already had on our culture.
Chuck Palahniuk's darkly funny first novel tells the story of a disenfranchised young man frustrated with his bureacratic job and superficial relationships and disillusioned with the consumer culture's prepackaged pleasures. Relief for him and his peers comes in the form of Tyler Durden, the intensely charismatic inventor of Fight Club. Waiters, clerks, and middlemen seek out the visceral satisfaction of secret after-hours boxing matches in the basements of bars, thinking they have found a way to live beyond their confining and stultifying lives. But in Tyler's world there are no rules, no limits, no brakes.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Fight Club Series
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Holt Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    May 1, 2004
  6. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.65 x 8.52 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0805076476
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0805076479
  9. See all details
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Amazon%20First%20Reads%20%7C%20Editors%27%20picks%20at%20exclusive%20prices
Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. "It’s only after you’ve lost everything,” Tyler says, "that you’re free to do anything.”
    Highlighted by 5,680 Kindle readers
  2. Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you.
    Highlighted by 5,121 Kindle readers
  3. At the time, my life just seemed too complete, and maybe we have to break everything to make something better out of ourselves.
    Highlighted by 4,348 Kindle readers
  4. "If you don’t know what you want,” the doorman said, "you end up with a lot you don’t.”
    Highlighted by 3,107 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Chuck Palahniuk is the author of the bestselling novels Diary and Lullaby, as well as Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holt Paperbacks; Reissue edition (May 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805076476
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805076479
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.65 x 8.52 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 15,776 ratings

About the author

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Chuck Palahniuk

Chuck Palahniuk

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Chuck Palahniuk's nine novels are the bestselling Snuff, Rant, Haunted, Lullaby and Fight Club, which was made into a film by director David Fincher, Diary, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke, which was made into a film by director Clark Gregg. He is also the author of the non-fiction profile of Portland Fugitives and Refugees and the non-fiction collection Stranger Than Fiction. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
15,776 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling and engaging. They praise the writing style as amazing, rhythmic, and well-crafted. The pacing is described as fast and gritty, making it an enjoyable read. Readers appreciate the thought-provoking content and relatable characters. They appreciate the author's unique style and dark tone.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityWriting stylePacingThought provokingCharacter developmentStyleDark toneViolence level
716 customers mention "Readability"690 positive26 negative

Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They appreciate the masterful satire and original storytelling format. The book keeps readers interested and makes them think.

"Very fun book. Reminded me of a clock work orange. Quick read, worth it. Almost almost exactly like the movie." Read more

"...I said the writing is amazing. The story set up is great. It really is a super interesting concept. Don’t let my opinion of the narrator sway you." Read more

"...Palahniuk is also a master storyteller. The plot of Fight Club unfolds incrementally, at just the right pace...." Read more

"...Yet, Palahniuk's mastery of his unique style and narrative kept me reading and reading, constantly trying to decipher why the writing style was so..." Read more

207 customers mention "Writing style"167 positive40 negative

Customers praise the writing style. They find the text engaging, with a good sense of humor and rhythmic writing. The book is described as an easy read, with minimal setting details. Readers appreciate the afterword that provides background on the creation. Overall, they describe it as a clever black comedy that leaves them with more to think about.

"Very fun book. Reminded me of a clock work orange. Quick read, worth it. Almost almost exactly like the movie." Read more

"...I said the writing is amazing. The story set up is great. It really is a super interesting concept. Don’t let my opinion of the narrator sway you." Read more

"...His writing style is as spare and fit as his characters. That said, I’m not sure how well Fight Club has aged...." Read more

"...manner, using short sentences and explicit imagery is indeed a literary achievement. I truly enjoyed this read, far better than watching the movie...." Read more

169 customers mention "Pacing"125 positive44 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast and engaging. They describe it as a gritty, disturbing, and action-packed psychological thriller with a satisfying ending. The book is described as a quick, impactful read with a satisfying conclusion.

"...The writing is impeccable and the story is gritty, dirty, and insane. It’s uncomfortable at times but not enough to make you want to stop reading...." Read more

"...The plot of Fight Club unfolds incrementally, at just the right pace...." Read more

"...I recommend this wild read of a novel. It has action, pithy text, original surface contexts and a love story. “..." Read more

"...It is very well written. The subject matter is dark and disturbing and is not my favorite kind of novel. Thank You..." Read more

126 customers mention "Thought provoking"122 positive4 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and interesting. They describe it as philosophical, surrealistic, and psychological. The book is described as introspective, action-packed, and nuanced. It delivers a profound message in a raw manner using short words.

"...The story set up is great. It really is a super interesting concept. Don’t let my opinion of the narrator sway you." Read more

"...To achieve the deliverance of a message so profound, in such a raw manner, using short sentences and explicit imagery is indeed a literary..." Read more

"...Indeed, this literary work has affective appeal and quintessence of portrayal since Chuck Palahniuk shows how violence can truly be liberating as an..." Read more

"...The author makes many clever observations and allusions. The novel is not lengthy...." Read more

54 customers mention "Character development"40 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the relatable main character. They find the author's portrayal of the protagonist believable. The style is simple and fits the characters well. However, some feel the movie does a better job with character development.

"...His writing style is as spare and fit as his characters. That said, I’m not sure how well Fight Club has aged...." Read more

"...Indeed, this literary work has affective appeal and quintessence of portrayal since Chuck Palahniuk shows how violence can truly be liberating as an..." Read more

"...But if you’re into a gritty story with a super unreliable narrator, this might just be the story for you. I said the writing is amazing...." Read more

"...more on theme than character, ans thats obvious, but the character still has substance...." Read more

36 customers mention "Style"36 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style. They find it creative and fast-paced, with a unique cover design. The book is described as gritty, ugly, and thought-provoking, with many themes and motifs that make it phenomenal.

"...is the true expression of Chuck Palahniuk's dark sense of humor and unique outlook on modern human life that the movie could only try to convey...." Read more

"...I'd say the cuts from scene to scene were innovative, but I can't talk about it. I'd ask if Marla was a third personality, but can't talk about it...." Read more

"...In the end I'd say I thoroughly enjoyed FIGHT CLUB, the creative and fast paced novel, but was blown away by the action packed twisted mind screw..." Read more

"Fight club is a book with tons of style and plenty of style to back it up...." Read more

29 customers mention "Dark tone"22 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the book's dark tone. They find it complex and full of surprises. The novel is described as a bright, edgy satire on male bonding.

"...Its dark and disturbing reflection and the rhythmic writing and graphic descriptions of pain and the promise of violence are not gratuitous, but are..." Read more

"...Read this first if you have not seen the movie. It's a dark, psychological story!" Read more

"So complex, so dark, so full of surprises. I adore this book. The movie was an excellent adaptation, but the book is so much more!..." Read more

"Extremely well written and provocative yet dark and depressing, which is sort of the point...." Read more

69 customers mention "Violence level"43 positive26 negative

Customers have different views on the violence level in the book. Some find it violent and passionate, with non-stop action and shocking scenes. Others feel that the writing is graphic and disturbing, promoting brutal psychopathic thoughts and behavior.

"...His writing is poetic and punchy (no pun intended)...." Read more

"...Chuck Palaniuk's satire is vicious, masterful, a vision of a bloated culture set on the cutting board , inspecting with a dissecting eye...." Read more

"This is the debut novel of Chuck Palahnluk. It is a dark, disturbing novel. However it is very well written...." Read more

"...Fight Club is Nihilism at its very core...." Read more

So I Have Watched The Movie 10+ Times - Still Enjoyed the book
5 out of 5 stars
So I Have Watched The Movie 10+ Times - Still Enjoyed the book
It is true, the book is always better than the movie. Watching this movie in 1999 in New York City Theaters and I remember how much influence on my way of thinking, to challenge the hamster wheel, just as I was starting college.Of course the book is way cooler after you watched the movie, as you have Brad Pitt in your head and the other amazing characters from the movie - honestly I am not sure how much I would have enjoyed the book if I didn’t already have the amazing visual experience from watching the video.Yet by reading the book, you get so much more depth and feeling. Those quick 5 second clips in the movie now are written out in pages and you get the more granular feel of what is happening in Tyler and the character’s head (whose name we never know!).The ending is different in the movie and the book - and I saw that in the review when deciding to invest in reading the book or not - and that alone is worth going through it.What was surprising was how close the book and the movie are! Some of the exact lines are right from the book, and for the most part it is fairly straight along the the same storyline.As Fight Club is one of my favorite movies of all time, I of course will enjoy the book and it gives a new angle and dimension - I should probably watch the movie (yes again) to more fully compare the book and movie.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • L. Lopatin
    5.0 out of 5 stars As good as the movie
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very fun book. Reminded me of a clock work orange.

    Quick read, worth it. Almost almost exactly like the movie.
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  • Ashlee West
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty, dirty, and insane
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Chuck Palahniuk showed himself to be his generation’s most visionary satirist in this, his first book. Fight Club’s estranged narrator leaves his lackluster job when he comes under the thrall of Tyler Durden, an enigmatic young man who holds secret after-hours boxing matches in the basement of bars. There, two men fight "as long as they have to." This is a gloriously original work that exposes the darkness at the core of our modern world.

    I decided to read this book as though I’ve never seen the movie and am going to write my review as such. What the hell did I just read? This book was crazy from start to finish. The writing is impeccable and the story is gritty, dirty, and insane. It’s uncomfortable at times but not enough to make you want to stop reading. No, you definitely want to finish it, just to see what the hell happens in the end. How could this story come to a close?

    The narrator (unnamed throughout the book) hates his life, hates his job, hates basically everything. Everywhere he goes, he hopes something bad will happen that will take him out. He suffers from insomnia. He goes to different support groups to feel better about his life. One day he meets Tyler Durden and his whole life changes. Tyler’s clearly insane but he’s so charming that you can’t help but go with everything he says. Until Tyler gets a little too insane and the entire life of the narrator is coming unraveled. Perhaps everything isn’t quite as it seems?

    While I did like the story overall, it’s mostly because of the writing. I did not like the narrator at all. I think he’s petulant and self-indulgent. We get it, you hate your life. Do something about it. Don’t just complain. It’s not up to “the man” to change your life and it’s not their fault you’re a loser. Going through life creating destruction isn’t going to make your life better.

    This book definitely is not for the faint of heart or stomach. If you’re sensitive at all, this book probably isn’t for you. But if you’re into a gritty story with a super unreliable narrator, this might just be the story for you. I said the writing is amazing. The story set up is great. It really is a super interesting concept. Don’t let my opinion of the narrator sway you.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • That one guy
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read, but it may be showing its age
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    First things first: Palahniuk has a profound gift for language. His writing is poetic and punchy (no pun intended). Some reviewers have complained that Fight Club is difficult to read because Palahniuk doesn’t tell a straightforward story in a straightforward way, but I love a novel that forces me to do some of the work. Palahniuk lays out the dots and tells us to connect them. He sets a pace and demands that we keep up.

    Palahniuk is also a master storyteller. The plot of Fight Club unfolds incrementally, at just the right pace. Pieces gradually click into place until everything gels at the end—and blessedly, Palahniuk knows exactly when that end should come. He doesn’t drag out things for hundreds of superfluous pages. His writing style is as spare and fit as his characters.

    That said, I’m not sure how well Fight Club has aged. That’s not because of any “un-PC” elements in the plot (although those definitely exist). It’s more because of the book’s fairly naive view of how the world works and how it can be changed.

    Fight Club purports to be—at least to some degree—a response to capitalism and consumerism and their “emasculating” effect on society. It’s no stretch at all to compare the community of men created by the book’s fight clubs to today’s real-life Proud Boys. Like Tyler’s “space monkeys”, the Proud Boys have generated attention and taken some action, like helping to launch a failed coup of the US government on January 6, 2021. But ultimately, the actions of both groups—the space monkeys and the Proud Boys—seem like futile, misguided attempts to reclaim some fabled masculine identity.

    If the book were written today, all of Tyler’s explosive know-how would have to be channeled into screen-friendly social media campaigns. The Proud Boys have shown that, at least in America, brute force alone can’t compete with the power of influencers, the vast budgets the fuel consumer culture, or the other complexities of capitalist society.
    32 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good novel as you must know. Arrived well packaged and in good condition
    Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good novel as you must know. Arrived well packaged and in good condition
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  • William
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen producto
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Llegó a tiempo
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  • Gulli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livre fight club
    Reviewed in France on January 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Le livre est top
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  • GBC100
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico
    Reviewed in Italy on November 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastico
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  • AlexO
    5.0 out of 5 stars So good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was an absolute whirlwind of emotions from start to finish. So well written. Really enjoyed it. Better than the film!
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