Kurt Vonnegut: A Man Without A Country
I promised I would review the book that I read on my vacation. I’m keeping that promise. Kurt Vonnegut promised he would never write another book. He broke his. I win.
No matter what you think about his politics, Kurt Vonnegut is an amazing writer. I remember reading “Galapagos” when I was in high school. I highly recommend that book as well. When I was younger I thought of myself as a writer, I admired people like Vonnegut who could paint a picture in words. I learned a lot from him and others, but alas, I am still a bit of a hack when it comes to writing. Here’s some advice on writing from his latest book, “A Man Without A Country” which has nothing to do with writing.
“Here is a lesson in creative writing.
First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you’ve been to college.
And I realize some of you may be having trouble deciding whether I am kidding or not. So from now on I will tell you when I’m kidding.
For instance, join the National Guard or the Marines and teach democracy. I’m kidding.”
“A Man Without A Country” is Vonnegut’s gift to us. Reading it is like sitting down to have a conversation with him over a cup of coffee. In it he is remarkably transparent and honest about his thoughts on current politics and the planet Earth. Vonnegut is 83 years old. What does he have to lose?
“Can I tell you the truth? I mean this isn’t the TV news is it? Here’s what I think the truth is: We are all addicts of fossil fuels in a state of denial. And like so many addicts about to face cold turkey, our leaders are now committing violent crimes to get what little is left of what we’re hooked on.”
This will not be the best book you ever read, but it may be the most honest. It is a window into the mind of a man who has seen much more than most of us. I read the entire book, all 146 pages, in 2 sittings. There is so much more I would like to quote from the book for you. I’m sure I have not chosen the 2 best excerpts, but you will have to read for yourself. When you do, come back here and tell me what you thought.
Technorati Tags: book, Kurt Vonnegut, Vonnegut, writer, A Man Without A Country, politics, Earth
I may be biased but I think you are a great picture painter :0)
Wow, Vonnegut is 83. I haven’t read him for many, many years (”Breakfast of Champions” was my high school introduction to his writing).
Thanks for the review and for the reminder to pick up his books again….will be interesting to re-read “Breakfast”, in light of current affairs, 30+ years after he originally wrote it. And will read this current one as well.
BTW…I have to agree with your mom.
Thanks Mom, and Thanks Sharon.
I can’t tell you how cool it is to know that you read my blog on a fairly regular basis it seems, Sharon. My mom kind of has to, but you …
Anyway, great to hear from you as always.
Hi, I like your blog. Kurt Vonnegut has so many books I haven’t read yet. I do have one of his old ones–Player Piano. There are some very good passages in it too. Great blog!