Between a graphic novel sequel and a Kickstarted film adaptation, one beloved cult writer has been in the news a lot lately. Now, I'm pleased to announce that Chuck Palahniuk's coloring book, Bait, will double as a new collection of short stories from the author.
Fight Club might have defined Palahniuk's career. It remains one of his best works, and continues to be a lucrative creative outlet for the author today. Last summer, Palahniuk announced that a Fight Club musical was in the works, thanks to a collaborative effort between himself, Julie Taymor, David Fincher, and Trent Reznor. And, of course, he's also penned one graphic novel sequel — appropriately titled Fight Club 2 — to his best-known work, and has another — Fight Club 3 — on the way.
Still, Fight Club isn't the Chuck Palahniuk story you recommend to your friends for its shock value. That honor belongs to "Guts," Palahniuk's most infamous short story. Originally published in Playboy's March 2004 issue, and included in the author's 2005 novel, Haunted, "Guts" tells the story of a teenage boy's horrifying misadventure in masturbation.
This is all to say that the stories are true: "Palahniuk’s short stories are provocative and not for the faint of heart," as the Bait press release points out. Four of the collection's short story plotlines have been announced. They are:
- A passenger on the Titanic who finds a surgical solution to the obstacle of "women and children first”
- A Hollywood star, whose fading brand faces a viral (and scatological) internet campaign
- An animal psychic who coaxes a statement from a fish that witnessed a political assassination
- Increasingly terrible birthday gifts that place a girl at the center of an extinction-level event
Although "Guts" probably won't be included in Palahniuk's adult coloring book, I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility. The stories detailed above are pretty damn shocking, in true Chuck P. style, so Palahniuk's deeply disturbing pool story wouldn't be out-of-place.
Also working in favor of the possible inclusion of "Guts" is the fact that Palahniuk's no stranger to adaptation. Two of his novels — Fight Club and Choke — were adapted for the big screen, and two more — Lullaby and Snuff — are on their way. Would it really be that surprising to see "Guts" rear its ugly head again? I don't think so, but, then again, I'm still waiting on a film adaptation of Invisible Monsters.
Bait features amazing illustrations from prominent comic book artists, including Joëlle Jones, Kirbi Fagan, and Alise Gluškova, among others. They've left their work unfinished for Chuck Palahniuk's coloring book, however, so you'll have to bring color to their drawings with whatever medium you choose. Time to stock up on cornflower blue pencils, pens, and crayons, amirite?
Chuck Palahniuk's coloring book, Bait: Off-Color Stories for You to Color, will be available on October 26.
