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Make Something Up  By  cover art

Make Something Up

By: Chuck Palahniuk
Narrated by: Chuck Palahniuk,Scott Sowers,Rich Orlow,T. Ryder Smith,Luis Moreno,Ken Marks
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Publisher's summary

For years Chuck Palahniuk has reserved his best storytelling for his readings, often choosing to read a new short story instead of whatever novel he is supposed to be promoting. Make Something Up compiles these previously unpublished tales for the very first time, plus the Byliner social media insta-classic "Phoenix" and Palahniuk's most notable pieces from Playboy.

©2015 Chuck Palahniuk (P)2015 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Make Something Up

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Plenty of shock, just not enough Palahniuk awe

This book is filled with two dozen of Chuck Palahniuk's short stories, 'Make Something Up' is clear evidence that Palahniuk is the king of grotesque and a sometimes master of the short story. Sometimes a bit uneven, a couple trips, etc., but a couple of these stories were nearly perfect. There were times when he seemed to be channeling a more disturbed version of David Sedaris (see: 3. Monkey, 9. Coyote, 18. Aardvark) and other times when he seemed to be walking instep with Neil Gaiman. To me, this is a thicker, but more disappointing version a George Saunders collection. But, still, there is no real comparison. These stories could have only been born in Palahniuk's mind. Some of them came out ready to walk, and some should probably been aborted.

So, just to clear my own ADD:

1. Knock Knock - 3★
2. Eleanor - 3★
3. How Monkey got Married... - 4★
4. Zombies - 4★
5. Loser - 3★
6. Red Sultan's Big Boy - 5x
7. Romance - 5★
8. Cannibal - 3★
9. Why Coyote Never... - 3★
10. Phoenix - 4★
11. The Facts of Life - 2★
12. Cold Calling - 3★
13. The Toad Prince - 3★
14. Smoke - 5★
15. Torcher - 5★
17. Liturgy - 2★
18. Why Aardvark Never... - 4★
19. Fetch - 4★
20. Expedition - 3★
21. Mister Elegant - 4★
22. Tunnel of Love - 4★
23. Inclinations - 4★
24. How a Jew Saved Christmas - 2★

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92 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

my goodness

This book made me feel so uncomfortable at some points but I couldn't stop listening to it. I don't think I will ever be able to forget these stories as long as I live. Not too sure if its a good thing or a bad thing, haha.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Chuck is a very good author but....

He is not a good narrator he has a really strange affectation that takes away from the story
It's hard to explain its a tempo thing
Great thought provoking ideas would have been better served by a good narrator unless he meant to deliver his material in this way , in that case I would say eh..

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

palahniuk packs a punch as always

the jokes!!! i have repeated them to many people and spread the joy. the stories are messed up as per usual. i always learn something about human behavior from our sweet Chuck. thanks for enlightening me.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great collection

I like the contemporary aspect of many of Chuck's stories in this collection. Though having read Haunted, I was left wanting more. Still quite an enjoyable and memorable set tho.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I was very disappointed in this book

I was very disappointed in this book there were a couple stories that I would actually like to read but over all it sucked!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you like short stories...

Classic C.P., his ability to tell a story never ceases to amaze me. He is a great storyteller, and I've never been that down by his writing. I hope you won't either! This book is worth every penny or use of a credit. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fucking hilarious! Chuck is God!

Never thought I'd enjoy a collection of short stories more than one of Chuck's novel masterpieces! My favorite publication so far...

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Typical Palahniuk, which is never a bad thing

Romance and Cannibal are my favorites. Expedition is very quotable. Also the second story, forgot it's name, for semantic reasons. I love Palahniuk word puzzles.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great. Amazing. Perfect.

if you are a fan of chuck Palahniuk please do ur self a favor and get this.

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4 people found this helpful