reccomendations:
Slapstick is hilarious, and is my favourite.
Cat's Cradle is brilliant sci-fic.
Bluebeard is mind-blowing, and a great commentary on art.
Hocus Pocus is surprisingly fun for being written so late.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
32This was the first thing I heard on the radio when I awoke this morning.
I am very thankful that I got into his works as early as I did. It's one of the benchmark blessings of life, to have been provided such humor and bent perspectives and joy despite sorrow.
I as well got to meet him and shake his hand and say "Thank you so very much."
A note: Hocus Pocus was written on scraps of paper. The book is assembled with line breaks, each line break denotes a new scrap.
I also love the fact that he dropped the "Jr." from his name after his father died.
All of the previously mentioned books, indeed all of Vonnegut's works are most valuable reads, but I hold a particular personal fondness for the Breakfast of Champions / Timequake dyad.
The former was one I read in 7th grade, mostly picked at random for the title. The latter is Vonnegut's own full circle with Kilgore Trout, his last fiction novel, and was released directly after I got to greet him.
Damn. Balls. Damn.
Best epitaph ever:
Everything was beautiful....
....and nothing hurt.
I am very thankful that I got into his works as early as I did. It's one of the benchmark blessings of life, to have been provided such humor and bent perspectives and joy despite sorrow.
I as well got to meet him and shake his hand and say "Thank you so very much."
A note: Hocus Pocus was written on scraps of paper. The book is assembled with line breaks, each line break denotes a new scrap.
I also love the fact that he dropped the "Jr." from his name after his father died.
All of the previously mentioned books, indeed all of Vonnegut's works are most valuable reads, but I hold a particular personal fondness for the Breakfast of Champions / Timequake dyad.
The former was one I read in 7th grade, mostly picked at random for the title. The latter is Vonnegut's own full circle with Kilgore Trout, his last fiction novel, and was released directly after I got to greet him.
Damn. Balls. Damn.
Best epitaph ever:
Everything was beautiful....
....and nothing hurt.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
33Considering that he was from Indianapolis, I'd say that Kurt Vonnegut did all right for himself. Perhaps one day I will read another of his books (I read Cat's Cradle as an undergrad).
Rest in peace, Kurt Vonnegut, hopefully some place other than Indiana.
Rest in peace, Kurt Vonnegut, hopefully some place other than Indiana.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
34I was reading Palm Sunday the other day...calling my friend at work and reading him passages...I had a feeling I somehow killed him like we killed Anna Nicole Smith...beware the Premier Rock Forum...
Salut...Vonnegut.
Salut...Vonnegut.
kerble wrote:Ernest Goes to Jail In Your Ass
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
35Who now will protect us from "the complicated futility of ignorance"?
Bob, son of Kat- Wiffleball, and all around, Champ.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
36tommydski wrote:This is what I looked like when I heard the news -
Then eventually, like this -
My asshole looked like this -
*
We will miss you Mr. Konnegut! Thanks for all the words and of course, for the pictures.
Tommy (7 inches by 2 inches)
This is very funny and brought back an entire novel to me in one flash. I must (re)read more Vonnegut.
Salut, crazy old man! The world was better for having you in it. Requiscat and all that bollocks!
simmo wrote:Someone make my carrot and grapefruits smoke. Please.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
37I wish i could find the actual forward, but in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, Kevin Murphy wrote a fantastic "Forward About Kurt Vonnegut," which i'm sure is what introduced me to Vonnegut in the first place.
I've only read Breakfast of Champions but quite enjoyed it. Of course, now, i feel compelled to read more, because i am a poser.
Wikipedia, regarding the Forward, wrote:In the book The Amazing Colossal Episode Guide (written by the season 6 MST3K cast members), Kevin Murphy related two tales about celebrity reactions he encountered. In one, the cast went to a taping of Dennis Miller's eponymous show; when they were brought backstage to meet Miller, the comedian proceeded to criticize the MST3K cast for their choice of movie to mock in the then-recent episode "Space Travelers" (a re-branded version of the Oscar-winning film Marooned). In the other, Murphy discussed how he met Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., one of his literary heroes. When he had mentioned the show and its premise to Vonnegut, the author suggested that even people who work hard on bad films deserve some respect. Murphy then invited Vonnegut to dine with his group, which Vonnegut declined, claiming that he had other plans. When Murphy and friends ate later that night, he saw Vonnegut dining alone in the same restaurant, and remarked that he had been "faced... but nicely faced" by one of his literary heroes.
I've only read Breakfast of Champions but quite enjoyed it. Of course, now, i feel compelled to read more, because i am a poser.
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Marsupialized wrote:Thank you so much for the pounding, it came in handy.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
38going through this thread i can't believe how much of his stuff I've actually read. I'm a writer and editor, I deal with words all day every day, I DO NOT enjoy reading at all anymore, but Vonnegut's stuff always hit me right in the gut, he was able to scribble off ideas that I always kind of felt in the back of my mind but never really identified before he laid them in front of me.
one of my favorite passages of his is in Sirens of Titan, when he's talking about harmoniums, these paper thin little creatures who lived off of sound. so awesome.
one of my favorite passages of his is in Sirens of Titan, when he's talking about harmoniums, these paper thin little creatures who lived off of sound. so awesome.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
39"Listen. Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time."
I've often had the difficult task of trying to explain Vonnegut to people who weren't familiar with his work. Usually, it started like this "He's, ah, usually kind of classified as science-fiction- but.."
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut for being difficult to explain and easy to read. I have read almost everything you've ever published, and I find it hard to imagine much better 20th century books than Cat's Cradle, Mother Night, and Slaughter House Five. The latter should be mandatory reading for all high schoolers.
I am not one usually taken with cheap sentimentality for public figures, but in a small way I feel like a friend just died. Salut Mr. Kurt Vonnegut, formerly of Indiana.
I've often had the difficult task of trying to explain Vonnegut to people who weren't familiar with his work. Usually, it started like this "He's, ah, usually kind of classified as science-fiction- but.."
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut for being difficult to explain and easy to read. I have read almost everything you've ever published, and I find it hard to imagine much better 20th century books than Cat's Cradle, Mother Night, and Slaughter House Five. The latter should be mandatory reading for all high schoolers.
I am not one usually taken with cheap sentimentality for public figures, but in a small way I feel like a friend just died. Salut Mr. Kurt Vonnegut, formerly of Indiana.
R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
40benadrian wrote:So it goes...
Ben Adrian
Ben!!!!
I have met you before in the past. I used to live with amber and carly and jon harmon in indianapolis.
what's up, man?