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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Vonnegut's writing always appeals to me, it's quirky and has some real quotable gems that encapsulate life. This is a semi-autobiographical book, talking of his life and family and also the fictional Kilgore Trout. About the world having to re-live the past decade in a 'timequake'.
One of my favourite quotes has to be:
"'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
One of my favourite quotes has to be:
"'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A memoir of sorts, that blends Vonnegut's real life with stories by out-of-print science fiction writer Kilgore Trout; both are characters in this meta novel.
'Listen: We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you different!'
'Listen: We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you different!'
This is definitely Vonnegut at his most meta, I was reminded of the movie “Adaptation” (which I loved). A book about writing a book that he discarded but he’s telling you about while filling in the gaps with details from his own life, some real some not… It’s full of those great Kurtisms (“we’re put on earth to fart around”), but compared to the rest of his work it’s definitely a 3. I can’t possibly give less than a 4 compared to all the other great books in the world, though.
An amazing Vonnegut book, but suitable for Vonnegut fans only. There's a skeleton of a plot, on which he hangs philosophical musings. If you like his work, it's because you like how he thinks about things. And so you want to hear more about what he thinks about things. If this is your first or second Vonnegut novel, I hear it's pretty frustrating and annoying that he keeps interrupting his novel to speak tangentially of buying an envelope. Me? I think the chapter about buying an envelope is one of my favorite chapters I've ever read -- certainly one of the most memorable. And it's just about buying an envelope.
I really wasn't enjoying this until more than halfway through, when it started to get to me (in a good way). It's not really a story as such -- it's a series of reflections and comments by the author, some of which are really wise and thought-provoking and funny, and others just not. I didn't realize it was his last book.
Not really a novel, more a collection of thoughts and recollections. Still worthy of interest for any big fans of Vonnegut. Reading his writing is strangely comforting to me.
Late stage Vonnegut and Kilgore Trout is the main man. Weirdly intertwined stories of kilgore trout, upper manhattan, and Vonnegut's extended family. All the familiar tropes are here, and it brings a full circle to his writing as his final novel.
lighthearted
medium-paced
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A classic dose of Vonnegut, this book delivers his signature wit and surprisingly relevant social commentary, even though it was written in '97. While the plot meanders a bit, the elaborately constructed humor, sharp satire, and underlying emo-ness kept me engaged. It might not be my absolute favorite of his works, but it's a thoroughly enjoyable read for any Vonnegut fan.