Invisible Monsters
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Chuck Palahniuk |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jacket design by Archie Ferguson Photograph by Tommy Ewasko/The Image Bank |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company |
Publication date | September 1999 |
| Publication place | United States |
| 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) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
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 It is his third novel to be published, though it was his second written novel (after the unpublished Insomnia: If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Already).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. Her given name is revealed at the end of the book.
- 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. It is said to be released in late 2008.[1]
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
References in Popular Culture
- The band Panic at the Disco's song, Time to Dance, is based entirely on Invisible Monsters.
See also
Footnotes
- ^
"Palahniuk Films In Development; Invisible Monsters". A Writer's Cult, LLC. 2005. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Invisible Monsters". W W Nortons official site. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
External links
