Chuck Palahniuk

Author, journalist and essayist Chuck Palahniuk is the ground-breaking writer of books including Fight Club, Choke, and Survivor. Known for his distinctive and minimalist style and his exploration of themes including aggression, consumerism, and class and individual struggle, his influence on literature and culture has been significant. He has earned honours including the Oregon Book Award and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award.

Palahniuk initially studied journalism and went on to write for local newspapers, as well as working as a mechanic and volunteering at a homeless shelter and a hospice. After studying writing under acclaimed novelist Tom Spanbauer, he began producing fiction, and published his debut novel Fight Club in 1996. He followed this with titles including Invisible Monsters, Survivor, Lullaby, and Choke, which became his first New York Times bestseller. Several of Palahniuk’s books have been adapted for the screen, most famously Fight Club, which was directed by David Fincher, and starred Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter and Edward Norton. Fight Club became one of the most culturally significant films of the decade, and was described by the New York Times as the ‘defining cult movie of our time.’

Besides his novels, he has published short fiction in titles including Playboy, VICE and Modern Short Stories, and contributes interviews and articles to publications including Gear magazine and the Los Angeles Times. His non-fiction writing includes the travelogue Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon, and the essay and story collection Stranger than Fiction: True Stories.