On November 11 2011 18:53 Wocks wrote: always wanted to read is books never really did : /
Well, you should get on it. =) There are a few short stories that are public domain, but really you should start with Slaughterhouse-Five or Cat's Cradle.
On November 11 2011 18:49 Twelve12 wrote: Absolutely love slaughterhouse 5, haven't read any others but plan to . The opening chapter of slaughterhouse 5 with the 'pillar of salt' passage is probably the most amazing thing I've ever read.
I know right?! Like I said before, that opening title page with the rant about him smoking too much and talking about how this book is about aliens. Add that to the "pillar of salt" quote and man, I was hooked. I had found my writer at that moment.
I loved slaughterhouse 5 and cat's cradle. Also liked breakfast of champions, even if the end was completely mindfucked weird (from what I remember; really a "lulwut?").
This thread reminds me I should read all of his works.
While I did enjoy Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle, and Breakfast of Champions, I also thoroughly enjoyed Mother Night. Mother Night doesn't seem to get too much love out there, but it is definitely worth a read.
I loved both cats cradle and slaughterhouse 5. as good as slaughterhouse 5 is, i think its a pity cats cradle doesnt get as much attention because SH5 is touted as his masterpiece work >_<
god bless you mr rosewater was one of his "quirky" books that really surprised me. it took me alittle bit longer to get through but it really has alot of meaning packed into it.
piano man was kinda meh for me. abit too close to some of the other dystopia books of the past.
i remember liking sirens but not really getting breakfast. none of them was as memorable as cats cradle and SH5 for me.
this thread makes me want to go through and read the books i have from him over and then read more of him. I put him down abit in college because i feel like he was making me abit too cynical >_<
Respect. Loved this man's writing. I always tell myself to read more of his stuff, then i realize i don't read anymore and it makes me sad . Once I return, I'll have to pay more tribute to one of America's greatest writers.
I've been a huge Vonnegut fan for a while now. Mother Night and Jailbird were always my favorites, but all of his stuff is quite good. There's not a single author who writes with more humanity and compassion and general sensibility, and the stories he writes are ridiculous to the point which they accurately depict life in general.
On November 11 2011 23:39 N.geNuity wrote: I loved slaughterhouse 5 and cat's cradle. Also liked breakfast of champions, even if the end was completely mindfucked weird (from what I remember; really a "lulwut?").
This thread reminds me I should read all of his works.
so I went and checked out Timequake and mr. rosewater after posting that. began reading mr rosewater earlier. First books I've read in like a year lol. All because of this thread!
On November 11 2011 23:39 N.geNuity wrote: I loved slaughterhouse 5 and cat's cradle. Also liked breakfast of champions, even if the end was completely mindfucked weird (from what I remember; really a "lulwut?").
This thread reminds me I should read all of his works.
so I went and checked out Timequake and mr. rosewater after posting that. began reading mr rosewater earlier. First books I've read in like a year lol. All because of this thread!
Awesome to hear. Kurt is the man and I just want everyone to continue reading him.
On November 12 2011 02:03 HeaDStrong wrote: I smoke Pall Malls in appreciation of Kurt Vonnegut
I don't smoke like I used to, but on Kurt's birthday I always buy a pack of unfiltered Pall Malls for him.
Hey guys, just popped in because I found this outstanding article and updated the OP with it as well. The article is called "15 Thinks Kurt Vonnegut Said Better Than Anyone Else" and can be found here: + Show Spoiler +
Each quote has a paragraph or two with it as well. Some of the quotes mentioned are:
2. "Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God."
4. "There's only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you've got to be kind."
5. "She was a fool, and so am I, and so is anyone who thinks he sees what God is doing."
14. "I have been a soreheaded occupant of a file drawer labeled 'science fiction' ever since, and I would like out, particularly since so many serious critics regularly mistake the drawer for a urinal."
I think what I've learned from Vonnegut is to be mature enough to know that reason doesn't preclude sensibility,to know that utility isn't defined strictly speaking by technology and last but not least that culture (and literature) achieves its purpose by educating the one who is willing to listen.
On November 18 2011 20:08 ioFilip wrote: I think what I've learned from Vonnegut is to be mature enough to know that reason doesn't preclude sensibility,to know that utility isn't defined strictly speaking by technology and last but not least that culture (and literature) achieves its purpose by educating the one who is willing to listen.
This is a brilliant encapsulation. Thank you. I like the first point in that reason (and logic) should never be used as an end point in problem solving, only a beginning and a guide. I think that culture achieves its purpose just by being, whether you listen or not though.
What I find interesting was Kurt's viewpoint on skill and ability. I used to think that if you had a gift you have a certain duty to use that gift. Kurt once argued (I think it was in TimeQuake) that if you have skill or ability you don't owe anyone, including yourself, to use that skill. It is yours to do with as you please. Now, I am still not sure if I agree with that, but your quote reminded me of that. Thanks for sharing and continue reading!
On November 11 2011 23:51 JFKWT wrote: Damn I feel like an arse not picking up the Cat's Cradle at the book sale even though the queue had extended along the perimeter of the hall...
Yeah, I still pick up used copies of his books when I find them at book sales and whatnot. I have given out so many copies of Cats and SL5 and just keep picking up more. If you find cheap Vonnegut books, get them and leave them around the house or on park benches. It is good to share. =)
Well that might be a good conversation about gifts and duties a conversation in which Aristotle or Kant might have a thing to say or two. What I was aiming for was that writing per se is an activity that is "out there" for others to see...to listen..to read... of course Vonnegut shouldn't be coerced to write if he didn't wanted to..but as he did.. i really think that my sincere appreciation of his work makes me regard as a "duty" for someone to read it given the opportunity..and that opportunity is an opportunity to listen to someone ... to be educated by a higher spirit.
On November 18 2011 20:24 ioFilip wrote: Well that might be a good conversation about gifts and duties a conversation in which Aristotle or Kant might have a thing to say or two. What I was aiming for was that writing per se is an activity that is "out there" for others to see...to listen..to read... of course Vonnegut shouldn't be coerced to write if he didn't wanted to..but as he did.. i really think that my sincere appreciation of his work makes me regard as a "duty" for someone to read it given the opportunity..and that opportunity is an opportunity to listen to someone ... to be educated by a higher spirit.
I like that. I would only argue that it does not have to be or isn't a higher spirit, but just another one of us, the humans that create this world we live in.
My love for Vonnegut's work is that I had a good idea of who I was and what I believed, I knew how to deliberate and find right from wrong, but Vonnegut put it together in a simple form that was pleasurable to read and quotable. I was a humanist before I even knew what one was, but what his writings taught me was to take more time and more joy in the little things in life, the minutia, and enjoy the "dancing lessons" as he put it since that is what we are here to do.
On November 18 2011 20:24 ioFilip wrote: Well that might be a good conversation about gifts and duties a conversation in which Aristotle or Kant might have a thing to say or two. What I was aiming for was that writing per se is an activity that is "out there" for others to see...to listen..to read... of course Vonnegut shouldn't be coerced to write if he didn't wanted to..but as he did.. i really think that my sincere appreciation of his work makes me regard as a "duty" for someone to read it given the opportunity..and that opportunity is an opportunity to listen to someone ... to be educated by a higher spirit.
I like that. I would only argue that it does not have to be or isn't a higher spirit, but just another one of us, the humans that create this world we live in.
My love for Vonnegut's work is that I had a good idea of who I was and what I believed, I knew how to deliberate and find right from wrong, but Vonnegut put it together in a simple form that was pleasurable to read and quotable. I was a humanist before I even knew what one was, but what his writings taught me was to take more time and more joy in the little things in life, the minutia, and enjoy the "dancing lessons" as he put it since that is what we are here to do.
Of course some of us are lucky to be near the "end point" already(I was one too)... education could mean just tiny adjustments for some.. but it could mean major adjustments too..I don't think we have to universalize our subjective cases...Vonnegut is for everyone.. We are all humans..but I don't think that by that, one should try to reason that we are all identical..
Breakfast of Champions was the first I read but my favorite so far has been Armageddon in Retrospect. So many well written stories about the human side of war and I feel like Vonnegut's experiences in WWII inspired a great deal of them. I also have a bad habit of never finishing books that I start because of time, so being able to read this one story by story over a long time was helpful.
EPT
. The opening chapter of slaughterhouse 5 with the 'pillar of salt' passage is probably the most amazing thing I've ever read.
. Once I return, I'll have to pay more tribute to one of America's greatest writers.
