Rant: A Mystic Tale on Immortality

I have been scavenging my book collection for something new to read. I usually buy books (especially if it's cheap) all the time with no intention of reading them as soon as I get home. So I usually have about 5 to 10 books that I haven't read. Which is a good thing; since when I do feel the urge to put down the Master of the Game (by Sidney Sheldon) after reading it for the NTH time, I have the option to explore other books.

Well, I'm running low on my not-to-be-read-soon books so when I saw a used bookstore in Trinoma (with Law and Claire), I bought some books. This is even when I have absolutely no money for lunch for the whole week. This is when I stumbled upon Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey.

Now, Chuck P. (I call him that cause I can't really pronounce his last name--Palahnuik) has captivated me with his short story "Guts". His style in storytelling keeps me interested. Not to mention his wild and creative imagination. And seeing his name on the book, made me buy it.

I started reading Rant as soon as I got home. At first I was confused since the story was told in different perspectives. It was like an interview was conducted and I was reading the notes from those interviews. But after a while, it all made sense.

I admire Chuck P.'s delivery of Rant's story. He got all these different people with different voices, perspectives, links form a singular story about a person who can go through time. It was a contemporary novel written in modern form. It was simply amazing! I have to bowed down to the sheer genius of how Chuck P. delivered it. I don't think I would be able to do what he has done... laying down the story from the character's point of view.

Each character has their own opinion on Rant. Each has an opinion of a particular story in Rant's life. Those characters either hate or love him. You can also see different angles to each's story. And for Chuck P. to tie it all together to make one good story... I tell, you I'll be raving about Rant for a long time.

I guess that's the magic Chuck P. gives off when you read his stories. At first he will confuse you to simply entice you to get into the story. Afterwhich, you'd be hooked. By the time you finish the story, you will be presented with a big picture, a grand story that is worth all the time and effort one exhausts in decoding his confusing beginnings.

I hope he goes to the Philippines--to do a book signing or something--so I could shake his hand in admiration.

I highly recommend you guys to read the book. Also read his short stories, aside from "Guts". I also find his novel Lullaby very intriguing, which I will buy as soon as I get my finances straight.