Welcome to the Monkey House (Best of Playboy Fiction, Vol 2)

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Summary: Beware, admirers of Vonnegut!
Review: "Monkey House" is a reminder that even the greatest artists had humble beginnings. This collection of Vonnegut's early work is shallow and boring and almost made me forget the great joy he has brought. I would recommend it neither to the Vonnegut novice or fanatic.

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Summary: Good stuff
Review: This book was just fun. I couldn't stop reading it. I can't say that I came out of it with any new outlooks on life, but I definitely came out of it feeling good that I read this book.

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Summary: Funny and Dramatic
Review: Kurt Vonnegut's "Welcome to the Monkey House" was more than just a book of short stories, it was a work of art. Mr. Vonnegut creates a perfect blend of comedy, drama, action and suspense. He has a certain way of having tons of detail but not so much that it bores you. You feel as much a part of the story as the characters. One of the stories, "Epicac," takes place when the first super computer is created. One night, a man stays late and talks about his love life with the machine. The computer has great solutions for him that work out for the man. Then, the computer burns out trying to figure out why he can't be loved. Another story, "Welcome to the Monkey House," takes place when the population is so massive that sex is outlawed. When a man refuses to take his hormonal pills, the police look for him. He then kidnaps a girl and takes her to a hidden place where he has sex with her. It changes the woman's feelings in the process. This is a great book for any reader. I was hesitant as many when about to embark on reading it but don't regret it at all. I suspect many who read it will also have a problem putting it down as i did.

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Summary: This book has a spectacular blend of comedy and drama.
Review: "Welcome to the Monkey House" by Kurt Vonnegut is probably the best collection of short stories I have ever read. It has a great combination of comedy, drama, suspense, and action. Mr. Vonnegut has a way of including a lot of detail but not so much as to bore you. You often find yourself getting so caught up in the story that you feel almost as if you are there. The story "Epicac" was among the best in the book. It takes place in the fifties and the first super computer has been built. A man tells the computer about the problems in his love life and the computer actually has an answer for him. He and the computer continue to have these conversations until one day the computer develops emotions. He feels the need to be loved and burns out trying to figure out why he can't be. "Welcome to the Monkey House" is another good story in the book. It takes place in a future where sex is outlawed. Then this man comes along who refuses to take his hormonal control pills. He persuades many women to join him on his quest. He then kidnaps a woman and takes him to a hidden place where they make love. "Welcome to the Monkey House" is a fast paced book for any reader. It will keep you enthused with its detail and entertained with its humor.

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Summary: For anyone, and I mean anyone!
Review: I dont really like to read that much, but actually found myself not being able to put this book down. It really is a very interesting book, and will have you looking at life from a whole new perspective.

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Summary: You NEED this book!
Review: I love Kurt Vonnegut- I have read just about all of them. I really enjoyed this one cause it offered a different perspective on his genius--a unique experience compared to reading Cat's Cradle and Hocus Pocus. I'm not sure that I would recommend it for a first time reader, but only cause I don't want to spoil the experience for you!! Definitely, in this case, save the best for last. It is essential Vonnegut, but with a fresh twist to it.

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Summary: A book everyone should own
Review: This is definitely one of my favourite books of all time. It might 'only' be a collection of short stories, but it is definitely the best introduction to Vonnegut's work, and is definitely some of his best.

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Summary: Harrison Bergeron tells us to "go for it"!!
Review: This story shows us that we're not all created equal and there will always be others that want us to conform. Be what you want to be but be aware that "others" may not agree!

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Summary: Vonnegut at his best
Review: Welcome to the Monkey House has something for everyone. Vonnegut does a masterful job wrapping you up in the world and lives of each story and character. Each of the stories drops you into a different time and place and makes you feel like you are truly there. After each story My view on the world was changed just slightly, So that when I was finished with the book I was looking at life with all new eyes. Pick this one up you won't regret it

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Summary: Vonnegut's closet cleaning a must to attend
Review: Don't bi-pass "Welcome to the Monkey House" just because it's a short story collection. Next to "Slaughterhouse 5", this is easily the most necessary Vonnegut book to own. Here, he sets free both his imagination AND his senses of humor and adventure to come up with some of the best short works published in this century. Just look at this list: "Harrison Bergeron", "Thomas Edison's Dog", a truly hysterical piece on assisted suicide and a truly suspenceful piece on a game of chess played with real people. Most of these styles have since, of course,been copied to death. But has anyone really cut as deep or as precisely into the public consciousness as did Vonnegut here? One wishes he would have continued writing short stories, at least occasionally, and we could have more collections as diverse, entertaining, and thought provoking as this is. By itself, though, "Monkey House" is one residency to make sure you visit