NEWS: Kurt Vonnegut Dies at Age 84
Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite authors, has passed away at age 84 — I cannot link to a news article, because the news is too young. I saw the news both on Mark's Hyperliterature and on the CNN "Breaking News." Remember his short story "A Long Walk to Forever"? Vonnegut wrote his own epitaph:
If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC.
His voice will be missed.
Labels: Literature, News, Vonnegut
posted by Anniina | 12:40 AM
11 Comments:
Is it wrong that I can't remember if I've ever actually read any Vonnegut? Since I can't remember, I probably haven't (and that's probably wrong), right?
It's not wrong exactly - he was a wonderful writer, though. If you liked... 1984 or Fahrenheit 451 or Catch-22, Slaughterhouse-Five might be for you, and if not, then probably not. But I've long since stopped stressing over not having read something, because when it comes right down to it, our lives are so very short and we'll never get to all of it, so we have to pick and choose. There are some many books and authors I feel I "should" read, but if I feel like reading "Harry Potter" and "Bridget Jones" of an evening, I'm just gonna do that instead. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get flamed for saying that, but there it is.
He had such a strong, strong narrative voice. And he was so philosophically interesting. Reminded me of a less inebriated PKD.
I'd pretty much agree with you A, because many times I'd much rather read Spider-man than Milton, but there are certain authors who I think are essential to fully understanding a particular culture. Vonnegut is quintessentially post-modern American, just as Shakespeare was quintessentially 16th century English.
Not that Vonnegut is on par with Shakespeare, but he did help define a culture. I could see a very convincing argument being made in favor of people like Vonnegut, Heller, Dick, et al, contributing to post-modernism as much, or possibly even more, than guys like Beckett and Pynchon.
*
I also feel sorry for I haven't read anything of him. Based upon Anniina's suggestion, I might give it a try. I liked 1984, but was unable to read very far into Catch-22... Have you noticed all these titles include a number, btw??
Does 'Crying lot 49' counts? I confess I had hard times reading it all the way, but I liked it.
But I'm with you guys, we have to select among the many, many excellent readings.
I think everyone should (?) start reading the ones that relate to one's original tradition and culture.
SF - I too had a hard time with Catch-22, but loved Crying of Lot 49.
Mark - Really? You'd put Vonnegut over Pynchon and Becket?
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now I can recall who Pyhnchon was.
and S. Beckett, well 'Waiting for Godot' was part of the high school curriculum..ah...I don't remember how much I understood of it at that time...maybe I should try reading it again...
Anniina, d'you think that'd make me more joyous?
NO! Reading "Waiting for Godot" will most likely _not_ make you feel joyous... I'll try to think of something that might :)
too late....
anyway I knew this particular piece of modern literature would NOT make me happier...I was just teasing you ;-P
But I'm waiting as for some suggestions for a happier reading :)
I'm almost finished reading a book which has given me more pleasure than anything I've read in the past few years: "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield (I think it's on the sidebar). That would certainly happify you, I'm pretty sure. It's just rich and engaging, and you won't want to put it down.
I will check the book in stores.
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