Virgil61 3 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 (edited) One of the great American writers has passed on. Sometimes great books, sometimes not so great, with Vonnegut as the NY Times says you love him or you hate him. I've read Slaughterhouse Five a couple of times; reflecting his time as a POW during the fire-bombing of Dresden wrapped in a science fiction story. It's probably his greatest contribution to literature. And so it goes. Edited April 12, 2007 by Virgil61 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Neil 3 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I've read all his books at various times and thoroughly enjoyed them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nephele 4 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I had the pleasure of meeting Kurt Vonnegut one year at the Steinbeck Awards, an annual benefit for the Southampton College Library. I'll always remember what an erudite and gentle man he was. His passing is a sorrowful loss. -- Nephele Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 When I heard this on the way to work my heart sank & it's extremely rare that I am moved by such news in regards to a 'celeb'. I loved Vonnegut's style and a few of his books have a solid place in my top 10. (Sirens of Titan is still my favorite of his) He was a one of a kind. May Hermes Psycopompus and Vanth conduct his shade with the utmost care... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M. Porcius Cato 2 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I loved Vonnegut. Welcome to the Monkey House was one of my faves in high school. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I love this quote from his BBC obituary: He once joked: "I'm suing a cigarette company because on the package they promised to kill me, and yet here I am." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mosquito 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 One of the great American writers has passed on. Sometimes great books, sometimes not so great, with Vonnegut as the NY Times says you love him or you hate him. I've read Slaughterhouse Five a couple of times; reflecting his time as a POW during the fire-bombing of Dresden wrapped in a science fiction story. It's probably his greatest contribution to literature. And so it goes. Not only great American writer but one of the world's greatest writers. What a loss! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Virgil61 3 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 Not only great American writer but one of the world's greatest writers. What a loss! At 84 and a chain-smoker, that's not a bad run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divi Filius 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I've never heard of him prior to this. Perhaps I will check him out, his Slaughterhouse-Five looks intriguing. At 84 and a chain-smoker, that's not a bad run. Something about the old generation of smokers... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I've never heard of him prior to this. Oh what a travesty... I knew we were going to hear that eventually from one of the younger members of the site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Antiochus of Seleucia 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 I've never heard of him prior to this. Perhaps I will check him out, his Slaughterhouse-Five looks intriguing. No? Wow! I was introduced to his works back in 9th grade. This news makes me sad... one of the few times I'm actually sad after a famous person dies... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonlapse 1 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 True story, Word of Honor:Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead, and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island. I said, "Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday may have made more money than your novel 'Catch-22' has earned in its entire history?" And Joe said, "I've got something he can never have." And I said, "What on earth could that be, Joe?" And Joe said, "The knowledge that I've got enough." Not bad! Rest in peace! - Kurt Vonnegut Rest in peace. No? Wow! I was introduced to his works back in 9th grade. Consider yourself fortunate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2007 Moon, It made my day to learn that he and Joe Heller were friends... (makes sense though) Something Happened is one of the best American novels of all time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonlapse 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2007 Moon, It made my day to learn that he and Joe Heller were friends... (makes sense though) Something Happened is one of the best American novels of all time. Haven't read that one. So many books, so little time! Perhaps I'll take a little trip to the bookstore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M. Porcius Cato 2 Report post Posted April 16, 2007 If you haven't read it already, enjoy Harrison Bergeron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites