Satirist to the Galaxy | Hacker News Reader

Satirist to the Galaxy

theamericanscholar.org

14 pointssamclemens10 comments

A high school English teacher spoiled me by having us read Cat's Cradle instead of the more common/historical Slaughterhouse Five. Great kickoff to a lifelong love of his satire. Cat's Cradle shows both the horror and absurdity of Nuclear War. It's unbelievable to imagine losing all the world's water and yet anyone can fathom how actually horrific it would be. This is Vonnegut's gift. Hard to imagine another write who can make you feel knowledgeable and challenged but also doesn't require some deep subject/stylistic knowledge of the allegories to be in on the joke. Breakfast of Champions is also a must read. No book has ever made me laugh out loud both at the deadpan delivery and absurdity.

I don't know. I've always found Vonnegut to be trite, unfunny, and just not a good writer.

I never got why he was considered so great.

Give me Douglas Adams over Vonnegut any day. Adams is the real Satarist to the Galaxy.

Love Douglas Adams as well.

I've always seen Vonnegut as using Satire as a veil for optimism. He makes the world so absurd and yet there is still room for optimism.

Adams always seemed to have a bit more British cynicism/reality to me. I enjoy him a lot too.

Thanks for this. I got lucky and read Breakfast of Champions first while on holiday one summer with extended family and it was hilarious indeed. Then I swapped it off the shelf for Slaughterhouse Five and just could not get it started. When I revisit Vonnegut I'll give Cat's Cradle a try.

As for sibling post, strong disagree WRT Douglas Adams. ducks. Unpopular opinion, I know, but your description of Vonnegut is curiously similar to how I might describe Adams. His supporters are enthusiastic and vocal. I wonder how large the group of silent dissenters is?

Slaughterhouse Five is a more challenging book, and more effort to read. I honestly can't tell you if it would be worth the effort for you.

Cat's Cradle is a somewhat easier read. I'd suggest trying that next, and if you like that, give Slaughterhouse Five another try.

If you enjoy being challenged by the weirdness, but told straight, you might also like J.G.Ballard.

Thanks! Had never heard of him. Looks very interesting.

Can’t say this about too many other writers, but if you haven’t read Vonnegut no explanation of how insanely original, hilarious, and profound he is will suffice. If you have seen any of the movies they are simply not representative of his writing. I hate to recommend him because he is one of the greats and there’s no better way to get you to flee to Netflix, but I am happy to recommend him because his writing is just plain enjoyable.

Vonnegut is tough to "comment" on. Good read.

Player Piano is a nice meditation on the deleterious effects of pervasive automation.

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