Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

The psychological thriller novel was published in 1996. It served as Palahniuk's debut novel, introducing his transgressive style to the world. The book initially received mixed reviews but quickly gained a massive cult following.

The story follows an unnamed protagonist who suffers from severe insomnia. He eventually forms an underground club with a charismatic soap maker named Tyler Durden. Together, they create a chaotic secret society.

The protagonist and Tyler form an underground bare-knuckle fighting club. This club starts as a way for men to vent their frustrations through physical violence. It eventually evolves into an anti-materialist terrorist organization called Project Mayhem.

The plot is heavily driven by the unnamed protagonist's severe, chronic insomnia. His inability to sleep causes him to experience hallucinations and disjointed reality. This mental state ultimately leads to the story's infamous twist ending.