Chuck Palahniuk: biography

A short biography about the fascinating author, Chuck Palahniuk. This brief article will consider his life, career and achievements as one of America's most intriguing and current writers. It will also list some of his most popular works.

Beginnings

Charles Michael Palahniuk was born in 1962, he grew up in Burbank, Washington. He experienced a traumatic childhood, including the separation of his parents when he was fourteen. A gifted student, Palahniuk showed a talent for writing, and eventually graduated in 1986 with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. He worked as a journalist for a while but found this was not for him. He later took on several menial jobs, which would eventually end up as the basis for many of his stories. Once he turned his attention to writing, Palahniuk found his true calling.

Career

Palahniuk's most famous work is Fight Club, published in 1996. This career-making book, has since become an internationally famous film. Fight Club, directed by David Fincher, is a remarkable film, testament to the true genius of Palahniuk. Other great works of fiction by Palahniuk are Survivor (1999), Choke (2001) and Lullaby (2002). His stories often deal with the darker side of American society, rifling through the unspoken urges of people. This fearlessness has made him such a relevant voice in the literary world. Some of his more modern books are equally as gritty as their predecessors. Haunted (published in 2005) is a truly refreshing take on the horror genre, well worthy of acclaim.

Achievements

Chuck Palahniuk's portfolio of work makes-up an impressive, and expansive, dissection of American society. The themes of his books are engaging and painfully real. Not only this, several of them have been adapted to the silver screen, attesting to the attraction that he holds as a storyteller. For fans of his work, Palahniuk established The Cult, an online area where readers can mingle, share their points of view, contribute to forums, and generally socialise with like minded fans in a focussed environment. For many, Palahniuk represents the ability a writer can have to still shock and entertain readers even in today's modern world. His appeal remains stronger than ever.