Rating: 
Summary: Existentialism in sci-fi form
Review: I like Vonnegut, though sometimes I think I can't really classify him as a science-fiction genre author. I think he's really using the imaginative idiom to comment on our society in satire. In the case of "The Sirens of Titan", he portrays life as predestined and our usual desires and endeavors as mostly meaningless. The only way to acquire meaning for life is to look within. In some respects "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" owes something to this novel in its nonchalant tone and smiles at human folly.It's hard to describe the plot--words like "chrono-synclastic infundibula" are more comical than pseudo-science. In the case of "Sirens" it's best to just go along for the ride and see where Vonnegut takes you.
Rating: 
Summary: Tralfamadore
Review: Vonnegut does not really bring his own character to the fore as he does in SlaughterHouse-5 or Breakfast of Champions, but you learn in Breakfast of Champions that Vonnegut knows he is the God of his literary universe, and in that is the riddle of Sirens of Titan. This is the first book by Vonnegut as God to explain how he feels being a small particle in the vast universe, and so the characters are all subordinate to the plot. Even Rumsfoord, the most omniscient character, loses his omniscience and is a victim of accident in the end. You can't understand the Tralfamadorians, so much more exposed in SH-5, without understanding them in this book. Vonnegut is one of those rare authors that you can't understand in a single reading- you need to read them all, so Elliott Rosewater, a minor character in SH-5, is the major character in God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, and then a pivotal character in Breakfast of Champions. Vonnegut has a cosmic viewpoint, which includes the Tralfamadorians, and this novel is key to understanding them, and the Ouspenskian world-view which Vonnegut, ultimately, has.
Rating:
Summary: Just think about it.
Review: The great thing about Vonnegut's books are that they leave you wondering what the point was. Material that provokes thought is often confusing to the weak minded.
Rating:
Summary: vonnegut's best
Review: This is the best book I have ever read, and ive read a lot of vonnegut and steinbeck. One of the most amazing things about this book is actually something you may not realize. When i read this book, i found hidden commentary about the human race that is incredibly thought provoking. This book in a lot of ways is similar to Vonnegut's short story "harrison bergeron". In many ways it is extremely sad while at some times it will make you laugh. Over all, it is a truly moving book.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartwarming Science Fiction Masterpiece!!!
Review: This is my fifth Vonnegut read, and is very close to being my favourite book. I loved this book for it's memorable characters, it's excellent writing style, and most of all it's beautiful yet sad ending. I adore Malachi Constant. He's a terrible man at the beginning but a sweet man at the end. You know, I just love how every single time I read the back of a Kurt Vonnegut book, The whole plot doesn't come till the very end. I love this book! It's sad, beautiful, and at last Brilliant!!!
Rating:
Summary: Response to reviewer below
Review: If you thought the novel was pointless, thats about right. That's the (satiric) point _of_ the novel, as per your interpretation :))
Rating:
Summary: Theater of the Absurd?
Review: With a brilliant twisted plot Vonnegut's satirically drenching 'The Sirens of Titan' explains all and absolutely nothing. Some readers will finish the book with a since of pointlessness and confusion. Is the point that our natural existence is illogical and purposeless? And that we spend our lives grappling for meaning that is beyond us? Read this book for a trip around the universe and to tickle your wits. In 'The Sirens of Titan', Vonnegut far surpasses his first effort in 'Player Piano' and really comes into his own, one of the grand masters of satire, black humor, and absurdism.
Rating:
Summary: Theater of the Absurd?
Review: With a brilliant twisted plot, Vonnegut's satirically drenching "The Sirens of Titan" explains all and absolutely nothing. Some readers will finish the book with a sense of pointlessness and confusion. Is the point that our natural existence is illogical and purposeless? And that we spend our lives grappling for meaning that is beyond us? Read this book for a trip around the universe and to tickle your wits. In "The Sirens of Titan", Vonnegut far surpasses his first effort in "Player Piano" and really comes into his own, one of the grand masters of satire, black humor, and absurdism.
Rating:
Summary: The Sirens of Titan is a Collosal Triumph for Vonnegut
Review: After much idle reading, Vonnegut was an author I was fortunate to stumble upon. I heard about him from my friend Sam, and decided to check out Sirens of Titan. This book is pretty good. I enjoyed the plot, the settings, the characters, and Vonnegut's writing style was most excellent as well.
The plot was unique and enjoyable, and my guess is that Vonnegut always defies convention by having overly incredibley story lines and character sagas. The twists of the psychic ghostlike figure of Rumfoord, his Martian Amry invading earth while Unk and Boaz went to Mercury, and that Unk (Malachi) was some kind of religious icon (maybe like Satan?) in the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent.
The settings of this possible distopia aren't really explained, but that leaves the mind open to think greater things. Mars seemed to me like a bubble city, or a planet covered in baseball clay. Mercury seemed to be like crystal caves and reminded me of (oh sweet irony) "On Mercury" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The earth to me is one of red skies and hard lands. The chuch where Malachi (the space traveler) lands resembles a deserted gaveyard during a lighting storm. Titan, Saturn's moon, is like a brown sand beach, with a tirquoise sky and red and blue shimmering water that streches for miles before reaching the Taj Mahal like figure of Rumfoord's house.
The characters in this book are some of the most unique ones I've ever read about. Unk/ Malachi/ The Space Traveler is one of the most interesting, stupid, and profound characters I'v ever seen. Rumfoord seems to me to be like some of Issac Asimov's antagonists, especially from "Nemisis." Boaz is the classic bad guy turned good. The minor characters could use a little more development, but they were strong nonetheless.
Lastly, Vonnegut's writing style is very concise. It's amazing how good he can write for all his satire, cynicallity and frankness. His story comes alive with his style and if anyone else had tried to do this story, I think they would have failed miserably.
All in all, this book is one of my favorites. Vonnegut blends his story, setting, characters and style together like no other writer can. Kudos, Mr. Vonnegut, and snootch to the nootch on a job well done!
Rating:
Summary: The surprise ending gave me a lot to think about!
Review: I read this book as a teenager, and loved the entire thing. The ending was nothing short of mind-blowing for my limited life experience at the time. An excellent book for someone interested in science and the future, but not interested in heavy-duty sci-fi with lots of weird words in it. And Mr. Vonnegut's writing style is wonderfully flowing and unique. A great gift for a smart teenager.
|
