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infinitejoe's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished my copy, autographed by Robert Weide and Nanny Vonnegut.
Of course I love almost anything written by Kurt, but this gave an even more personal sense of who he was behind closed doors to his friends, family, peers, and anyone else he happened to write a letter to. My admiration for the guy grows even more.
One of my favorites from the book came near the end, about 5 years from his death. He wrote a letter to the editors at the New York Times that read....
"It may give us some comfort in these worrisome times to know that in all of history only one country has actually been crazy enough to detonate atomic weapons in the midst of civilian populations, turning unarmed men, women and children into radioactive soot and bonemeal. And that was a long, long time ago now."
Classic.
Of course I love almost anything written by Kurt, but this gave an even more personal sense of who he was behind closed doors to his friends, family, peers, and anyone else he happened to write a letter to. My admiration for the guy grows even more.
One of my favorites from the book came near the end, about 5 years from his death. He wrote a letter to the editors at the New York Times that read....
"It may give us some comfort in these worrisome times to know that in all of history only one country has actually been crazy enough to detonate atomic weapons in the midst of civilian populations, turning unarmed men, women and children into radioactive soot and bonemeal. And that was a long, long time ago now."
Classic.
ranchdubois's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in high school Timequake was released. After reading that this would be Vonnegut's final novel, a friend who liked his writing as much as me encouraged me to write a letter to Vonnegut showing my appreciation for his writing and saying that he shouldn't quit writing novels because the world needs more writers like him. (We also likened ourselves to me being Eliot Rosewater, she being Billy Pilgrim because I introduced her to Vonnegut. I liked that because I got to be Eliot, my favorite of Vonnegut's characters. She is now married with a baby, and I've only contemplated being a volunteer fireman)
I'm not sure he ever got that letter or that I sent it to the right place even. Reading this collection of letters was in a way a reply to that short note I sent 17 years ago. It gives you insight into what was going on while each book was being written. I like that better than reading an in depth analysis of a novel. I don't think I could read an analysis of Vonnegut's work anyway because my own opinions are too strong.
Long story short, if you are fan of Vonnegut's writing then reading this book would be time well spent. If you aren't a fan, then I don't know what to tell you.
I'm not sure he ever got that letter or that I sent it to the right place even. Reading this collection of letters was in a way a reply to that short note I sent 17 years ago. It gives you insight into what was going on while each book was being written. I like that better than reading an in depth analysis of a novel. I don't think I could read an analysis of Vonnegut's work anyway because my own opinions are too strong.
Long story short, if you are fan of Vonnegut's writing then reading this book would be time well spent. If you aren't a fan, then I don't know what to tell you.
sdafergu's review against another edition
3.0
Obviously I love Vonnegut. This book of letters waffled from brilliant to boring. The letters were about his everyday life after all. However, I loved how this book highlighted his both his heart and his insecurities about his art.
kurtvonnebeergut's review against another edition
5.0
A much-welcomed perspective into the formative years of both's Kurt's creativity and his soul. If you have ever felt the struggle of pursuing your career while balancing the 'responsibility' of growing older, this set of letters and collection of correspondence will hopefully put your mind at ease a bit as you realize that even one of the greatest writers the world has ever seen struggled to adapt to everyday life.
A very valuable insight into Kurt's mind, his relationship with his family, and his interactions with the world surrounding him.
A very valuable insight into Kurt's mind, his relationship with his family, and his interactions with the world surrounding him.
jackshoegazer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a giant dollop of homemade ice cream on top of the badass fresh-from-the-oven apple pie that is any Vonnegut-lover's heart. But if you like apple pie without ice cream, you'll probably be fine. And if you don't like apple pie, fuck off, you won't like ice cream either because you have a heart of stone.
karmakat's review against another edition
3.0
I think I picked up this book when Borders went out of business (which tells you how long it has been on my TBR pile), but thanks to the Popsugar challenge, it is now read. I have rather mixed feelings about it. A lot of it is details about books/publishing/teaching engagements that isn't, quite frankly, all the exciting or interesting. But with a very paced reading, you see Vonnegut's humor and satire and wit. Honestly, I had forgotten until I read this that I got to see Vonnegut speak not too long before his death. I love Vonnegut and this book has inspired me to go back and reread his books.
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