Invisible Monsters
 First edition cover |
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| Author | Chuck Palahniuk |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jacket design by Archie Ferguson Photograph by Tommy Ewasko/The Image Bank |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company |
| Publication date | September 1999 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback), audio cassette, audio CD, and audio download |
| Pages | 297 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-393-31929-6 (first edition, paperback) |
Invisible Monsters is a novel by Chuck Palahniuk, published in 1999. It is his third novel to be published, though it was his second written novel (after the unpublished Insomnia: If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Already). The novel was originally supposed to be Palahniuk's first novel to be published, but it was rejected by the publisher for being too disturbing. After the success of his novel Fight Club, Invisible Monsters was given a second chance, and a revised version of it was published. It has since been adapted into a graphic novel by comic artist Kissgz, a.k.a. Gabor.
Plot summary
The story follows three characters including the narrator as they travel across North America. The story constantly jumps around to different points in the narrator's life.
Initially the only named character is Brandy Alexander, with the other two characters living under assumed identities. The story is narrated by Daisy St. Patience, a name given to her by Brandy Alexander (the narrator's real identity is revealed in the end of the novel.)
Over the course of the novel, the narrator reveals the events that led up to her current situation. She was a beautiful young fashion model until she became the victim of an accident that left her disfigured and unable to speak.
During her stay in the hospital the narrator meets Brandy Alexander, who encourages Daisy to use her tragedy to completely change the way she lives her life.
The narrator hits the road with Brandy and her two-timing ex-boyfriend in search for a brand-new past, present and future.
Characters
- "Daisy St. Patience," — Former fashion model, narrator. The narrator goes by many different names, and her real name is revealed at the end of the book.
- Brandy Alexander — A woman Daisy meets during her stay in the hospital who is only one operation away from becoming a woman. Brandy Alexander, Queen Supreme encourages Daisy to hide her disfigurement and attempt to live a new lifestyle. Her real name is revealed towards the end of the book.
- Evelyn "Evie" Cottrell - Fashion model. Daisy's best friend.
- Manus Kelley - Daisy's ex-fiancé, he's a police officer. Manus also goes by several different names throughout the book as Brandy Alexander changes the identities of Manus and Daisy while driving across the country.
- The Rhea Sisters - three drag queens who are paying for Brandy Alexander's sex change operations
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
A film based on the novel was planned to start filming in 2004, starring Jessica Biel. However, the filming was not done that year, and little has been said about the film since. Imdb.com has a link for Invisible Monsters saying it has gone into production as of 2006.[1]
Influences in media
- The band Panic! at the Disco's "Time to Dance" from their debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out is based on the novel.
- The song "Invisible Monsters" by Motion City Soundtrack is based on the novel and was originally included in the Japanese release of the album under the title "Monstres Invisible" (after the French title of the novel). However an error during the Japanese printing of the album caused it to be shown as "Monsters Invisible" and so to avoid further confusion, the band had it re-titled to "Invisible Monsters" for its western release.
Release details
- September 1999, USA, W.W. Norton, ISBN 0-393-31929-6, paperback (first edition) [2]
- 2 November 2000, USA, Vintage, ISBN 0-09-928544-4, paperback
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Palahniuk Films In Development; Invisible Monsters. A Writer's Cult, LLC (2005). Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
- ^ Invisible Monsters. W W Nortons official site. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
External links
- An excerpt from Invisible Monsters courtesy of W. W. Norton & Company
- A 54-page online graphic novel adaptation
| Books by Chuck Palahniuk |
|---|
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Fight Club • Survivor • Invisible Monsters • Choke • Lullaby • Diary • Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon • Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories • Haunted • Rant • Snuff |
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