Be a Man

Chuck Palahniuk was only thirty four years of age when he wrote "Fight Club". It was his first novel. The reception to the book was beyond what he expected.

The novel was a bestseller. A film version was made a few years after its publication. The box-office result was below the studio's expectation, but “Fight Club” would attain a cult following. Many would identify with the narrator, a white-collar worker often stressed from his job. Readers called him Joe because his remarks often included that name (e.g. "I am Joe's boiling point"). Joe was a product recall specialist at a car company, depressed and suffering from insomnia. When he seek treatment, the doctor advised him to see a support group in able to know what suffering was really all about.

Palahniuk had said in numerous interviews that the novel was about a lonely man finding ways to meet other people. But others saw it differently. Was the book alluding to the present state of masculinity?

Rules of the Fight Club

Joe attended a support group in testicular cancer, and he liked it. His insomnia was cured, even he faked his condition. He met Marla Singer, another frequent attendee of support groups. She was also faking her own problems. Joe was uneasy about it, so they agreed not to attend the same group.

It was during a holiday when Joe met Tyler Durden. He was charismatic. He was an extremist. He wanted someone to punch him. Joe was drawn to Tyler - and a fistfight ensued. It attracted more men, who liked nothing more than sweat and blood. They came up with the rules:

1. You don't talk about fight club.
2. You don't talk about fight club.
3. When someone says stop, or goes limp, the fight is over.
4. Only two guys to a fight.
5. One fight at a time.
6. They fight without shirts or shoes.
7. The fights go on as long as they have to.
8. If this is your first night at fight club, you have to fight.

Some accused Palahniuk of being a nihilist, which he vehemently denied. This was supposed to be about lonely men seeking connection. However, the novel was released at a time when there was a growing number of American men who grew up without a father in the household. This was a reality, where there were more children of divorced parents. Some would point out that the book was attempting to make an anti-consumerism statement, but the author don't share the sentiment.

Palahniuk, a native of Pasco, Washington, will turn 53 on February 21. He wrote fifteen more novels after "Fight Club", but not one achieved the success of his debut work. In fact, a sequel is scheduled for release later this year. Don't be surprised if most of the fans of "Fight Club" are men. They're able to identify with Joe, but they can't tell what it is.