On a scale of one to ten: 3.

Needless to say Snuff was not a group favorite. Indeed, I believe it has stolen Middlesex's crown as the Stacks BC least favorite book to date. The group's preferences for Palahniuk ranged from those that consider themselves his biggest fans and others who have read several of his books and never understood his unique style. That being said, the opinion of SNUFF was pretty much unanimous. Those that have previously enjoyed Palahniuk's raw grit were disappointed by what felt like a lack of effort on his part. Those that have never appreciated his unromantic sexual images and unflattering realism sited the book as yet another example of Palahniuk getting caught up in trying to disgust readers, rather than presenting them with new and interesting ideas. The book did receive the three because many members enjoyed his historical references, true or not, to why certain innovations came about the way that they did. Hitler and the blow-up dolls, Marilyn Monroe eating eggshells, etc. Those small joys were not enough to save the work from its repeated use of the term "pudpullers", which I, personally, could not stand reading over and over again. No one uses that term and stop using it ever other line! All and all the book was very unsatisfying.

This meeting brought a few new concepts to the meeting that I would love to hear feedback on. First, rather than meet at someone's home we met at a bar. I, personally, really enjoyed being out with everybody especially sitting out in the wonderful summer air. I recognize that it is a little bit more expensive, but I was thinking that it may be fun to alternate month to month between house and public venue.

Also, I really liked rating the book numerically. I realize the shortcomings of a rating system as it does not allow for a full evaluation into the complexity of a book. On the other hand, I think that rating novels and being able to post a comment to explain the rating satisfies this pitfall. If there are disagreements about the rating (obviously not everyone in the group often agrees completely on a book - see Mailer's American Dream) I am more than happy to post the variations and let disagreers explain.

So it is on the Zadie Smith, whose novel I think will offer much more insight and creativity than Palaniuk's, dare I say, ridiculous day at a porn warehouse.