OT: Phaedrus

chonce · Jul 18, 2003

Sorry if this isnt exactly a comment on world politics, but If i recall correctly, you had mentioned you are a fan of Kurt Vonnegut. (Hopefully I am right)

ANyways, could you reccomend a book of his for me to read next? I have read the following in this order.

1. SLaughterhouse 5
2. Cat's Cradle
3. Breakfast of Champions
4. Mother Night
5. Galapogos

Anyways, If you had a good suggestion for the next one to read I would appreciate it. The (unread) ones I have available in my collection are:

Welcome to my Monkey House
Jailbird
slapstick
bluebeard
hocus pocus
god bless you mrs. rosewater.

I like to get suggestions as some people feel that some of his books work best if read after certain other ones.

Thanks.

Phaedrus · Jul 18, 2003

chonce, if you've read Cat's Cradle and Breakfast of Champions all you need to add is God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and you'll have the whole "base" of Vonnegut's style down pat.

My personal favourite work of Vonnegut's is Jailbird. I've often used it as a lithmus test for girlfriends and wives. Everything you ever wanted to know about me can be gleaned from that book, from two lines of it as a matter of fact. One day I'll meet the woman that can read the book and know to what I am alluding, and that will be the one for me.

Regaridng the others you mention:

Welcome to the Monkey House

Excellent collection of short stories, notably "Harrison Bergeron" which is a f*cked up story about a world so obsessed with equality that one of the central characters, a beautiful and talented ballerina, is required to wear a mask in public and dance with a sack full of lead shot strapped to her body -- so that she won't make others feel *inferior* If she is caught out without her mask she is subject to imprisonment. Weird, distrubing shit.

Slapstick I read but don't really remember.

Bluebeard is great. It's not considered one of Vonnegut's better works, but if you're into Jackson Pollack you'll enjoy it immensely.

Hocus Pocus is fairly good, sort of sad as you can see in this book how Vonnegut -- past 70 when this was written -- is finally starting to run out of ideas.

God Bless You Mr. Rosewater You need to read this one next, then Jailbird, then from there pretty much take your pick.

Phaedrus

PS. If you like Vonnegut this much, and are looking for something similar but with more of an edge to it, go for Harlan Ellison. Dreams With Sharp Teeth is a fantastic compilation of Ellison's work and a great starting point.

chonce · Jul 18, 2003

Thanks Phadreus

I have really taken a liking to VOnnegut. I read Slaughterhouse Five in May, and since then, have had the desire to consume as much Vonnegut as possible.

Anywyas, I will take your advice. Rosewater, Jailbird etc...

To this point I have to say that Breakfast of Champions is probably my favorite work of his.(though I change my mind occasionally) It is the funniest, and most eccentric of his books that I have read. It is also, perhaps the saddest, as it notes how even our deepest emotions are really biological....and well, in Vonnegut fashion, shows the absurdity of truth.

Slaughterhouse five, and Cats Cradle are also masterpieces, in my opinion.

I will take your advice on Ellison.

Thanks