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Summary: Because He had it worse than me
Review: As I sat under the only palm tree on the island, I would visualize just how good I really had it. Even though I would most likely be alone I would have my sanity. I had a good life in society and must not take that for granted. Even though I would be away from my family, I would have to be strong and maybe one day soon I would be rescued. Vonnegut however was not that lucky. His life in society was in termoil and definetly hard to bare. Where as my problem was in fact big I would still have my thoughts of home. Vonnegut had no place to turn except for his satiracal writtings. The conents of :Faith Worse Than Death would remind me on the island that at least I had those people in my life that I could strive to see again
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Summary: Brutally honest commentary
Review: Here in this book we get Vonnegut's cynical but honest commentary on everything from talk show hosts to his own experiences with suicidal depression. Some of the chapter's are extremely pessimistic in their outlook, but hit home so well that they can leave you feeling quite down about the human race and it's apparent race headlong towards suicide. However, Kurt's dark sense of humor is here as always and even more prevalent than usual. You'll be laughing out loud at things that are really anything but funny. But that is the genius of Vonnegut, he can have you laughing and wryly amused while reading, but after done, his greater impressions stick in your head and leave you provoking thought. He is truly a gifted writer. Although not as fast-paced as his fiction, this book is a fine and interesting read. Most notable to many readers, surely, will be his perceptions and thoughts on his experiences in World War II and the effect it has since had on him. His religious observations are interestings as well, and funny, to wit: "In order not to appear a spiritual quadripelgic to those trying to get a hold on me, I sometimes say that I am a Unitarian Universalits (I breathe.)" This is certainly a must-read for any Vonnegut fan, but you will want to have devoured a significant amount of his fiction and know a little bit about the man before tackling it.
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Summary: Vonnegut--humorous, engaging and entertaining
Review: I prefer non-fiction works and this one from Vonnegut is very entertaining and presents his views of society and the world. His social commentary is very funny and I highly recommend it. The absolute worst part of this book is that it ends.
Rating:
Summary: Vonnegut--humorous, engaging and entertaining
Review: I prefer non-fiction works and this one from Vonnegut is very entertaining and presents his views of society and the world. His social commentary is very funny and I highly recommend it. The absolute worst part of this book is that it ends.
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Summary: how this book helped me
Review: I read "fate worse than death" during wait for outcome of my husband's heart surgery in Indianapolis hospital. Husband was 42 years old, kids were 11, 9, and 4--failed heart valve, very unexpected. Fate Worse than Death talked about literature as western meditation, versus eastern "uhmmn." Literature as suspension of belief, relief from everyday care. Worked for me. I read, calm as could be--essays from Vonnegut's life. When I finished the book, I started pacing and worrying. Started over to stay calm. Thanks to Kurt for compelling prose to last thru hours valve replacement!.Conclusion--this man is a hoosier. You may move to New York, but you are always home. Thanks--you pulled a thorn from my paw. I owe you. Jen
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Summary: how this book helped me
Review: I read this book a mere month ago, and it's idea and concepts still are freh in my mind. Vonnegut expressed himself the way he did 20 years ago. I absolutly loved this book. It has the honesty of Breakfast of Champions, the reality of Ctas cralde and the compultion of Sirens of Titan. I reccomend this to anyone, of any age or gender. I throughly enjoyed this novel and anyone everyone should read it.
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Summary: Honest veiw of Human Acitvity
Review: I read this book a mere month ago, and it's idea and concepts still are freh in my mind. Vonnegut expressed himself the way he did 20 years ago. I absolutly loved this book. It has the honesty of Breakfast of Champions, the reality of Ctas cralde and the compultion of Sirens of Titan. I reccomend this to anyone, of any age or gender. I throughly enjoyed this novel and anyone everyone should read it.
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Summary: Hopelessness & creativity
Review: It's always interesting to read an autobiographical report on someone's life. You can get a few insights on what to do and what not to do with your own life. As to hopelessness as an avenue to creativity, this SOMETIMES happens. Hopelessness has many legs and often travels into less exaulted fields than creativity. But what Mr. Vonnegut says is well expressed and can serve as a beacon of hope to the down and outers. As to the literary shock jock style of writing throughout the book, it's a attention grabber and also good for laughs. Though Mr. Vonnegut on page 185 does wisely point out the limits of humor. On paper, he is likeable man who seeks an occasional "peak experience" to make life worthwhile. Or if he doesn't seek it, here and there he finds it anyway.
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Summary: Another tedious, yet interesting, look at the man himself
Review: Oh, great. Another "Autobiographical collage", as though there's anything left to say we really want to here after trudging through "Wampeters, Foma, and Granfalloons" and "Palm Sunday."
Surprisingly, then, this one holds up fairly well on its own; when Vonnegut talks about his daughter's marriage to Geraldo, or shares his thoughts on war and religion this book genuinely picks up pace. But please, Kurt, do us a favor. We love you, we're interested about you, but we WANT NEW FICTION!
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Summary: Peek Into Vonnegut's Head
Review: These essays give us a rare look in to the mind of a genius. He expounds on subjects ranging from mental illness, family relationships, death and war. Sounds depressing, but an optimism shows through. Vonnegut masterfully points out the adsurdity around us and shines the light of sanity on it. The essays are as relevant and mind opening today as they were when he wrote them over a decade ago. Although this is not the Veonnegut work I would recommend to someone unfamiliar with his work, anyone will benefit from reading it.
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