Rant

By: Chuck Palahniuk

Narrated by: various

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Chuck Palahniuk, the author of the New York Times best-sellers Fight Club and Lullaby, is known for his edgy novels, and Rant is no exception. Palahniuk presents this fictional biography of Buster "Rant" Casey in a series of vignettes told by the people who knew him best. As intricate as a spider web, Rant succeeds in recounting the story of one man's life only through the eyes of others. But the question remains, "Who was Rant Casey?"

©2007 Chuck Palahniuk (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"This dark religious parable (there's even a resurrection) from the master of grotesque excess may not attract new readers, but it will delight old ones." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Outrageous but not quite over the top, full of energetic humor, Rant...is a memorable portrait of the cults that gather around authentically different people and a portrait of dystopia that feels unsettlingly contemporary." ( Booklist)

Enjoyable Experience

Would you consider the audio edition of Rant to be better than the print version?

The audio edition is, in my opinion, superior to the print version of Rant because of the vibrant performances of the voice actors.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rant?

I especially enjoyed the beginning of the book. The author immediately set up a detailed and bizarre world for his characters to live and set the off beat, dark tone that persisted through to the end.

Have you listened to any of various’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

This was my first Audible purchase and I found it to be a delightful introduction to the world of Audible.

Twisted and Terrific!

Any additional comments?

I've liked Palahniuk ever since I read fight club (prompted by seeing the movie), and this book did not disappoint me. It's the typical unsentimental, absurd, grotesque, surprising, twisted, imaginative stuff I've come to expect. But be warned, if you don't like disgusting scenes described as if they were everyday occurrences, don't read Rant. If you want profound introspection into the meaning of life, don't bother. On the other hand, if you like fun houses and scary clowns, walk on in. The best aspect of listening to the audio book was having various actors read the different characters. Perfect listening experience. As far as the story goes, it took me a little while to figure out what was going on, but I had unwavering faith that the author would eventually make things clear. In fact, half the fun was the many "aha" moments as the story progressed. That is until the last part of the book. I had to listen to it twice, and I'm still not exactly sure what was going on. But, somehow, that did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book. But if you like Palahniuk and this type of literature, it won't leave you wanting.

A must read mind bender with an all star cast.

Everything that should be expected from a Chuck Palahnuik novel put forth by the very best in narration.

It went off the rails half way through.

I loved the performance and how the book was written but the story is just ok.

Most vivid listening experience you’ll get w an audiobook

I LOVED how each character is voiced by a different person, women are voiced by women and men voiced by men, each voice sounded as old or as young as the character and their energy levels are accurately conveyed. The plot and subplots come to light through each characters personal account of past events and news stories with the listener/reader learning who the title character is as a person from subjective and objective sources which can be a bit confusing but so entertaining.

This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I wish it hadn’t been because I’ve yet to find another in which the voices match the characters. It’s so disappointing to hear the same old gruff man’s voice for every character, especially so when the character is a young woman. It takes away from the story and often makes it hard to keep track of who said what.

I’ve listened to this book several times and recommend it to everyone interested in audiobooks and been thanked for suggesting it.

Very Complex and Compelling

This is a must read for any modern thinker. Refreshing story with delightfully complex characters with a very strong message regarding how we view ourselves and spend our time on this planet.

Creative, crude, and don't miss the message

Palahniuk disguises his message behind a creative, crude plot. Pay particular attention to the boosting and daytimer/nighttimer concepts. Therein lies interesting insight about life in the 21st century.

I loved that Palahniuk effectively weaves together the many points of view from the characters into a cohesive story. At first it was a little hard to follow, but once I caught on, it was pure entertainment. There are definitely some memorable chapters.

Listeners be warned, this is not for the faint of heart; crude, even disgusting at times. Still, you should've known if you're picking up a Palahniuk.

Enjoy.

Ugh?!

This is very good, but mind twisty. Really need to hear it again because it's like that snake eating it's tail thing. Perfect listen if you are in a boring place and need to stay awake. It's like WTF! What? WTF! What?! Ugh---what?! WTF! Plus, I really love the voice of the woman who plays Tina Something.

like previous versions

If you loved Fight Club and want more of the same look no further here comes more shock and shlock. I have to give kudos to Chuck for mixing a tired scifi tale with some shock and awe mystery to twist things up and telling it feels like reality show interviews. While the innovation and creativity is to applauded the tale itself is forced and tiring. Just like Fight Club there are some great one liners, but there's not enough to save it in the end. I had trouble getting into the written book, but Audible has a recording that is a veritable listening feast with the number of readers. Personally, I give the audible version a 3 but the tale itself barely makes a 2.5.

A story that makes you think!

Disease epidemic, the future, neurology, time travel. yes please!
the story is choppy, as it is told by many characters about the main character, Rant. but I enjoyed a different style. it makes you think and put the puzzle together however you want. my fav of chucks so far.