Diary

By: Chuck Palahniuk

Narrated by: Martha Plimpton

“CAN YOU FEEL THIS?”

Chuck Palahniuk, the bestselling author of Fight Club, Choke, and Lullaby continues his twenty-first-century reinvention of the horror novel in this scary and profound look at our quest for some sort of immortality.

Diary takes the form of a “coma diary” kept by one Misty Tracy Wilmot as her husband lies senseless in a hospital after a suicide attempt. Once she was an art student dreaming of creativity and freedom; now, after marrying Peter at school and being brought back to once quaint, now tourist-overrun Waytansea Island, she’s been reduced to the condition of a resort hotel maid. Peter, it turns out, has been hiding rooms in houses he’s remodeled and scrawling vile messages all over the walls—an old habit of builders but dramatically overdone in Peter’s case. Angry homeowners are suing left and right, and Misty’s dreams of artistic greatness are in ashes. But then, as if possessed by the spirit of Maura Kinkaid, a fabled Waytansea artist of the nineteenth century, Misty begins painting again, compulsively. But can her newly discovered talent be part of a larger, darker plan? Of course it can …
Diary is a dark, hilarious, and poignant act of storytelling from America’s favorite, most inventive nihilist. It is Chuck Palahniuk’s finest novel yet.©2003 Chuck Palahniuk; (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House AudioBooks, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Just for the record, Diary is as hypnotic as a poised cobra. Chuck Palahniuk demonstrates that the most chilling special effects come not from Industrial Light and Magic but from the words of a gifted writer.”
— Ira Levin, author of Rosemary’s Baby

Interesting

…to say the least
I’ve always known Chuck was a peculiar author, but this one is a new level of creepy. I do enjoy the underlying message, however.

It's slow until the moment you can't stop

It took me 5 months to get through the first 4 chapters and 2 days to get through the last 3. Huge Chuck Palahniuk fan and this may be my favorite of his I've read so far. You don't know what the story is really about until over halfway through then it all comes together and I love that. Brilliant piece of literature, I hope it survives for generations.

Classic Chuck!

A short story, but just long enough. Lots of fun to listen to. Well read.

Voyeurism into madness

Diary is a brilliant journey through madness as a self portrait that is not for the faint of heart. It is one more masterpiece of satire and social commentary by one of literatures most important nihilist, Chuck Palahniuk. Unbuckle your seatbelt and let the ride take you as deep within yourself as you are willing to go.

What a trip!

While I must admit that I liked Chuck Palahniuk's "Lullaby" more, I was really drawn into this story - especially by Martha Plimpton's wonderful narration. I simply had to know what the heck was at the root of all the chaos. When all was revealed, I was fairly satisfied. Chuck Palahniuk is clearly one of the most creative (if not twisted) minds of my generation and I look forward to his next novel with great anticipation.