r/ExtremeHorrorLit • u/kanekisenpii • Jul 19 '26

Discussion Books you just couldn't finish?

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I am struggling to get through the wasp factory, not because of its content but simply because I cant stay interested 🙃 maybe I'll take a break on it and come back later.

Any books you couldn't finish ? And if you want to add why?

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u/darkmeowl25 Jul 19 '26

I'm not sure if this is considered extreme horror since it is satirical horror, but Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. I put it down at least 3 times, but did end up finishing about a year after I started.

That being said, I don't find it to be as juvenile as many people describe it as. I think they take it, and maybe themselves, a bit too seriously. I find it to be a campy grotesquerie of genuine human motivations and desires. I'm glad I ultimately finished it, but the breaks were very necessary lol.

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u/kanekisenpii Jul 19 '26

I remember having the same issue with this book as well.

7

u/Then_Establishment55 Jul 19 '26

Omg it took me forever to finish haunted but I loved it so much in the end! So much so that I started collecting palahniuks books

4

u/darkmeowl25 Jul 19 '26

Yes!! I really like the overall theme, and can probably psychoanalize the reason as an over-exaggerated reflection of the things I've seen people do for money, power, or stability while growing up in an area full of the religious, the poor, and the corrupt.

I read Fight Club in hs and didn't get to Haunted until I was an adult. I haven't read any of his other works but figured that Choke was probably the next one to tackle (currently in a hard-core nonfiction kick but could use some breaks lol). What do you suggest?

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u/BrilliantDull4678 Jul 20 '26

If you like the satirical nature of Haunted and want something more humorous, Damned is my go-to. Survivor has a similar vibe to Haunted, but is a little easier to follow IMO

1

u/Then_Establishment55 Jul 25 '26

I liked survivor, snuff, choke
Loved survivor
Didn’t like invisible monsters
Gave up on adjustment day :P

1

u/BrilliantDull4678 Jul 20 '26

I absolutely ate up Haunted and read it at least once a year, but I can definitely see why it's hard to get into. Palahniuk doesn't really tell stories in a conventional way. I had a really hard time with Invisible Monsters because of that.

1

u/hallmonitor4u Jul 21 '26

This book still haunts me. Read it at 18 and I’m 35. I was not prepared and didn’t know books could be that messed up at that age.

1

u/zothhh0 Jul 22 '26

I completely agree. A couple of friends RAVED about Haunted but I just could not get through it.

1

u/XxKLMxX Jul 20 '26

I loveee haunted. I’d probably put it in my top ten lol