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smithjasont01 's review for:
Timequake
by Kurt Vonnegut
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"You were sick, but now you're well again, and there is work to do."
It is February 13 2001 and unknown to everyone the universe is about to send them back 10 years. This timequake takes people back in time with all the knowledge they had over the last 10 years but they are unable to change anything. They are stuck on autopilot having to relive for better or worse every event in their lives.
The story is told by Kurt and his fictional alter ego Kilgore Trout as they live through this event. There is next to no plot but rather chapters reflecting on Kurt's life. Being the last novel he wrote it is filled with his thoughts on life. What makes a life worth living, why do people give up on life, regrets and the stranglehold they put people in, as well as his views on life as it is in the late 90s. It is a very personal novel with him reflecting on his on life and death as well as his brother's and the rest of his family.
He talks a lot about how we are becoming more disconnected and isolated as a society even though we may be more connected than ever. How this then effects us individually and as a culture. He discusses the effects of war or in his words "societies attempt at committing suicide" how we can invent ways to kill millions and then give those same people peace medals. How even when you think you are the best at something there is always someone better. Or even the effect parents have on their kids for better or for worse.
There are times when it feels very old man yelling at clouds, but with Kurt's dark humor thrown in. It is certainly not a book to read unless you are a fan of Vonnegut's because of the structure and personal nature, but nonetheless a very good book.
It is February 13 2001 and unknown to everyone the universe is about to send them back 10 years. This timequake takes people back in time with all the knowledge they had over the last 10 years but they are unable to change anything. They are stuck on autopilot having to relive for better or worse every event in their lives.
The story is told by Kurt and his fictional alter ego Kilgore Trout as they live through this event. There is next to no plot but rather chapters reflecting on Kurt's life. Being the last novel he wrote it is filled with his thoughts on life. What makes a life worth living, why do people give up on life, regrets and the stranglehold they put people in, as well as his views on life as it is in the late 90s. It is a very personal novel with him reflecting on his on life and death as well as his brother's and the rest of his family.
He talks a lot about how we are becoming more disconnected and isolated as a society even though we may be more connected than ever. How this then effects us individually and as a culture. He discusses the effects of war or in his words "societies attempt at committing suicide" how we can invent ways to kill millions and then give those same people peace medals. How even when you think you are the best at something there is always someone better. Or even the effect parents have on their kids for better or for worse.
There are times when it feels very old man yelling at clouds, but with Kurt's dark humor thrown in. It is certainly not a book to read unless you are a fan of Vonnegut's because of the structure and personal nature, but nonetheless a very good book.