Invisible Monsters - Definition and Overview

Invisible Monsters is a novel by Chuck Palahniuk published in 1999. It is his third novel to be published, though it was his second written novel (after the unpublished Insomnia: If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Already). The novel was originally supposed to be Palahniuk's first novel to be published, but it was rejected by the publisher for being too disturbing. After the success of his novel Fight Club, Invisible Monsters was given a second chance, and a revised version of it was published.

A film based on the novel is planned to start filming in 2004, starring Jessica Biel as both Shannon and Brandy.

Plot

Invisible Monsters is the story of Shannon McFarland, an attractive fashion model who becomes the victim of a freak accident that results in half her face being destroyed. No longer having a lower jaw, she is now seen by everyone as a hideous freak. As a result, she loses her career and her boyfriend as well. Because she is so hideous, she becomes an "invisible monster" — that is, nobody wants to look at her, so they simply ignore her presence. Her life seems ruined and pointless until she meets Brandy Alexander, a transsexual who sees some hope in her. The two of them work together to get revenge on Manus Kelly, Shannon's fiance, and Evie, Shannon's best friend, who are suspected of having been involved in Shannon's accident.

ISBN numbers

• ISBN 0393319296 (paperback, 1999)
• ISBN 0099285444 (paperback, 2000)

See also

• 1999 in literature

External links

• An excerpt from Invisible Monsters courtesy of W. W. Norton & Company (http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/fall99/palahniuk1.htm)