Snuff

by: Chuck Palahniuk

Published by: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Reviewed by Heather Durow

In Snuff, Chuck Palahniuk takes the reader on a strange journey through the making of a record-breaking porno flick. Told from the perspective of three of the 600 men in attendance (and the unfortunate star’s assistant and talent wrangler, Sheila), we are taken deep into the dirty and seedy goings-on of what it takes to break one of the biggest records in the adult entertainment industry. Cassie Wright, the queen of adult cinema, is determined to be the all-time champ, and to do that, she has to have sex with 600 men in a 24-hour period. With her career headed downhill fast, Cassie is ready to do whatever is takes to be number one again–even if it kills her.

With little more than their underwear on and a black magic marker number trailing down their arms, the 600 men wait their turn at the chance to help Cassie achieve her goal. Mr. 600 knows Cassie all too well, having been her co-star in most of her films, all of which play on a number of TV screens around the dank waiting room. Mr. 72 is of the belief that Cassie is his long-lost biological mother and, with wilted roses in hand and a cross around his neck, will pull her from this trashy lifestyle. Mr. 137 just wants to get his name back in the media after his failed primetime TV show left him with nothing.

Snuff is at times both disgusting and heartbreaking. The story is told with gross detail and a wonderful style that actually makes these people likeable. Full of shocks and a strange ending, Snuff leaves one wanting to wash out your brain with soap and keep on reading.

Armchair Interviews says: Storytelling like you expect from this author.

Author’s Web site: http://www.ChuckPalahniuk.net