"Romance" by Chuck Palahniuk

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Wed, 08/03/2011 - 12:24

frazdan

From: Santa Monica, CA

Joined: 10/15/2003

Has anyone read the new short story "Romance" by CP?

It came out in this month's Playboy (August 2011).

I found it interesting because:

-it did NOT start out with action

-the whole story was told in retrospect

I liked the story a lot, but not my favorite short story by CP. That would be "Mister Elegant".

I found "Romance" very funny and I assume that the piece was intentionally written as comedy. Unlike most of CP's fiction, it didn't have any moments of sincerity that made the reader feel empathy or sympathy for the narrator.

Thoughts?

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 08:52

Typewriter Demigod

From: London

Joined: 04/18/2010

I've yet to read it because I am NOT buying playboy.

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Thu, 08/04/2011 - 09:10

mavtj

#No retreat/No regrets#

From: London

Joined: 08/14/2008

*acquired* off a torrent as I'm in London--not his best but solid, yet also one of his funniest. I'm also a massive fan of Mr. Elegant, that's a story I always go back to for technique. Its balance is perfect.

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Fri, 08/05/2011 - 21:32

brandon.tietz

enemigo de arco

From: #2 Pershing Sq.

Joined: 05/31/2009

I just read it.

**SPOILER**

The plotline was almost exactly like the Michael and Rita arc from season 3 of Arrested Development. Maybe the "marrying the hot retard" bit wasn't their idea to being with, but that's what this story reminded me of.

**END SPOILER**

I liked it. He's got some better ones out there already, but I dug it.

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Fri, 08/05/2011 - 21:43

zeversole

Brevity is the soul of wit

From: Cincy, OH

Joined: 08/05/2011

Michael:I really think the reason that you and I always fight is that, since we were little, dad always played us off each other.

Gob: Dad always said that was your fault.

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Mon, 09/12/2011 - 20:50

From: BF, ID

Joined: 08/15/2003

It reminded me of that story arc of Arrested Development mixed with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "Sweet Dee's Dating a Retarded Person."

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Tue, 09/13/2011 - 15:09

ChesterPane

This is my rifle this is my gun this is for writing this is for fun.

From: 14th arrondissement

Joined: 09/01/2010

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Romance-the-film/209525695754061

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Tue, 11/29/2011 - 04:59

planman

Joined: 11/27/2011

'Romance' in its entirety:

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 13:56

coco_oliver

Joined: 02/19/2010

bh wrote:

It reminded me of that story arc of Arrested Development mixed with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "Sweet Dee's Dating a Retarded Person."

This couldn't be a more perfect way of describing Romance. Such a hilarious Chuck short story. I saw him last night in Vancouver and he had the entire place laughing histerically with it.

(except Dee's BF turns out to not be retarded. Awesome episode)

Thu, 12/08/2011 - 22:49

Tuffy

Dipsomaniac Kiss

From: Two Hits and a Miss

Joined: 03/29/2009

He read it live on the tour. I found it hilarious. When I met him after, I gave him some beef for not using his pull to do a real book of short stories, telling him that guys like King and Gaiman have multiple collections out with solid sales. Chucky yelled back, "It is not a competition!"

He's wrong.

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"Romance" by Chuck Palahniuk

"Tuffy, you're a Dalek, but only because you're only being kept alive by metal, science and hatred." - ScubaSteve1729