Followers of Chuck Palahniuk’s inventive, demented novels, take note: the author’s newest release, “RANT: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey” will both give you exactly what you expect from Palahniuk and introduce you to an intriguing new style of storytelling.
The novel, which will be released May 1 by Doubleday, is a different take on the normally abnormal stuff of which Palahniuk’s novels are made.
You may remember Palahniuk from the 1999 cult hit “Fight Club,” or you may have never heard of the Washington state native. Either way, “RANT” will intrigue you to the last page.
Without giving away too much of the plot of his newest work, I can tell you that “RANT” is, in this humble writer’s opinion, Palahniuk’s most adventurous and impressive novel to date.
Buster Casey is one of a motley cast of characters born in a small town (any small town, really) that has a penchant for draining the life out of those who don’t manage to get away.
As a cure for their boredom, groups of young people have invented a subculture called Party Crashing, a sport of sorts that is basically a violent game of hide-and-go-seek with automobiles.
The culture of Party Crashing may remind some of the “Fight Club” for which Palahniuk is perhaps most famous.
The novel is written through the anecdotes of over 50 characters who knew Buster “Rant” Casey while he was still alive, before his violent death.
The story unfolds slowly through the eyes of the many people who remember bits and pieces of Casey’s life, but it’s hard to put the book down . you always want to know more about the novel’s enigmatic main character.
The conclusion of the book (don’t worry, I won’t ruin it for you . you have to read it for yourself) is the typical Palahniuk ending – both surprising and disturbing, and the ending to “RANT” may just be the best twist in a Palahniuk novel yet (even better than “Lullaby” and “Diary”).
In “RANT,” as in his other novels, Palahniuk has a subtle way of explaining normal phenomena in a way that may just make a conspiracy theorist of you yet. Palahniuk also retains, and hones, his skill of biting social commentary and wit throughout the book.
Next Tuesday, make sure to take some time out from your finals studying and go pick up a copy of Palahniuk’s latest. You won’t be sorry, but you might find yourself thinking about the world around you a little differently.
“RANT: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey” will be released on May 1 with a list price of $24.95 and will be available at a bookstore near you.

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