Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, unearthly, but a bit out there
Review: Kurt Vonnegut is capable of writing some of the best novels I've ever read, and Sirens of Titan was definitely a good book. Though Vonnegut's imagination I think went a bit overboard on this one, and he just ran with the whole idea of humans living on Mars, Mercury and Saturn,and some of the creatures he came up with almost sound a bit puerile and silly, but Vonnegut still has a knack to keep books interesting no matter what the subject matter is.
Rating: 
Summary: The King of our Humerous Reality
Review: Once again Vonnegut has summerized the human endeavor into a humorous, heart-breaking, and often mesmorizing novel. This work devours the reader whole, pondering thoughts of love, life's meaning, and values. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a powerful work read easily. The fantasy is sometimes closer to the truth. Vonnegut is a master storyteller. One for the ages.
Rating:
Summary: And I still don't know the meaning of life.
Review: Where I come from, Vonnegut has become a fashion; sit around and read VONNEGUT in a cafe, and wow THEN you're sexy! As you can see, my first impressions of Kurt Vonnegut were not the best ones, and I inadvertently steered away from anything having to do with him. But, I was eventually persuaded to read this book.Vonnegut has got a very unique writing style, and newness is always appreciated. All I got out of the book was Vonnegut's opinions about God, and he had a very round about way of getting to them ... the plot is weirder than it needs to be. As for the meaning of life, I still haven't found it. It was an interesting read, and I thus give it four stars.
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Summary: The musings of a radical theologian
Review: Let's face facts, folks: Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is God. I don't mean that in a blasphemic sense. Certainly he is not THE God. He does not control our actions, nor does he condemn us for our faults. He writes. Yet in his writing are such ideas, such provoking themes, that one does not view the world the same way after digesting several of his novels. One's outlook is entirely altered. If that isn't the work of a deity, then what is? THE SIRENS OF TITAN, Vonnegut's second novel (after PLAYER PIANO), presents Vonnegut in full control of his powers. Summing up his story is well nigh impossible, as one of the great pleasures of Vonnegut at his height is the absolute inability to guess where the plot is going, and the absolute logic of it after he is through.
At a very surface level, SIRENS is about Malachi Constant, an absurdly successful businessman who is called to the home of Winston Niles Rumfoord. There, he witnesses a materialization; that is, Rumfoord is a victim of a chrono-synclastic infundibula, and is now, in essence, everywhere at once. Just like God, come to think of it. Rumfoord spells out for Constant exactly where life is going to take him. Why he does this, he cannot say, but as it has already happened, there's no use in fighting it. And so, Constant goes to Mars. Vonnegut unleashes his full arsenal of grievances within the pages of SIRENS. Corporate greed, male lust, idiocy, mob mentality, the whole of human existence falls under his all-seeing eye. However, unlike the rage that fuels novels such as CAT'S CRADLE, Vonnegut never allows SIRENS to become a rant. It is rather a sensitive and moving elegy to the adaptability of man in the face of insanity. If Vonnegut could ever be accused of being melancholy, it is because of SIRENS. Either Vonnegut is a genius, or a certified nut-job. Probably both. He is also the reincarnation of Aesop, spreading deceptively simple fables about the land which accurately dramatize the foibles mankind continuously foists upon itself. Vonnegut is furthermore the preeminent radical theologian of our time, a crazed priest who has given up striving to convert the masses, and instead now just rants on street-corners, hoping that anyone within earshot might agree with him. People flock to the new-age philosophies found in Renfield's CELESTINE PROPHESIES, or the feel-good fervour of Peck's IN HEAVEN AS ON EARTH. Yet Vonnegut is ignored as such a seer, despite having a far more rational and grounded perception of what mankind is genuinely capable of. In his way, he reminds one of Yann Martel's remarkable novel LIFE OF PI (rather, Martel reminds us of Vonnegut), disguising severely stirring theological issues in the form of entertainment. Vonnegut does not believe in a vengeful God, or a merciful one. If there is a God, it is a god unconcerned with the ways of man. Rumfoord manages to create a new Earth-wide religion based upon this argument, calling it aptly enough the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent. Imagine the freedom of not having someone to praise for your good fortune, or blame for your failures. You'd have to accept life as it is. How revolutionary! As Vonnegut traverses the universe, guiding Constant and the reader through the War with Mars, the Rings of Saturn, and the strange transmissions from the planet Tralfamadore, he cements his reputation as not only one the world's premier satirists, but also an author whose novels demand repeat readings. Having read him as a young man, and rereading him as a more seasoned adult, there appear new themes and ideas within the same context. As we age, so do his novels, providing new directions for us to follow. If not God, then Vonnegut is a prophet, using humour as a weapon against ignorance. He should be required reading for all.
Rating:
Summary: The Sirens of Titan
Review: This book is one of the most heartfelt books Vonnegut may have ever written. It has a great plot, and writing style, just like all of his other books. Its the story of Malachi Constant and how a visit with a man who can see the future, past and present after a mishap in space. It asks questions everyone has, such as: Are we the only lifeforms? Do we really have free-will? and Vonnegut answers them in his unique writing style. It is my favorite and if you read it, you'll love at as much as I do. Also read "Cat's Cradel". I love it just as much as this one.
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Summary: the usual vonnegut novel
Review: Vonnegut is up to his usual witty ways in this sci-fi tale that defies both time and space... the book is a fast and enjoyable read that offers some stunning commentary along the way... not his best, but very worth reading...
Rating:
Summary: Fun, thoughtful
Review: This was fun and thought provoking. It is a some what futuristic novel. It wasn't very long, but I loved it's creativity. It is a perfect book for a light read on a lazy day. Kurt Vonnegut is an amazing writer. Let his imagination sweep you up and take where ever he wants!
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Summary: Thoughts on the meaning of life
Review: This is the first Vonnegut novel I've read. It was interesting but odd. In some small ways, it reminded me of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The plot left something to be desired, but the message of the novel was quite interesting. As other reviewers have pointed out, the book is about the meaning of life and fate. Indeed, there is even a new religion created to foster and advance these new ideas. The book's message about the meaning of life can be interpreted differently. The most obvious interpretation of the novel is that mankind's purpose was to be the tool of aliens to serve a trivial end (producing a spare part for a space ship). This would mean that man's existence is ultimately pointless. The other more interesting way to look at it is that Vonnegut is trying to say that the meaning of life is a mystery, that when revealed will surprise everyone. This is the main idea in the book, but it is unwrapped very slowly. The religion that Vonnegut creates is called the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent, and "Take Care of the People and God Will Take Care of Himself," is the Church's motto. The founder of the religion then proceeds to predict that his religion will end all of the world's problems... This sketches incredulity just past the breaking point. Vonnegut's rehashing of deism is left with the weighty philosophical and emotional problem of evil to contend with and no solution is in sight. I don't know if I'll read more Vonnegut or not. The book was somewhat enticing and there were some interesting ideas presented here. While Vonnegut is classified as a science fiction writer, I don't know if this particular novel could be classed as such. While it is true that some space travel and technology is involved, it is not hard SF in the sense that the story is not centred on science and technology.
Rating:
Summary: Skillfully written
Review: Even if the expression 'Chrono-synclastic infundibulum' sounds more than a little silly, do not assume that this book is not necessarily for you! Successfully poking fun at the sci-fi genre despite being written over forty years ago is a feat in itself, but there are few books that manage to be (almost) as funny as the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy and still carry a (semi-) serious message. In a sense this book is not sci-fi; the style is so different from the vast majority of sci-fi books out there and manages to demand respect from a plot that would be frankly ridiculous if it had been presented by an author of lesser talent. Vonnegut has by some sleight of hand turned an outlandish plot into a very coherent and sensible, almost serious book - and this is the most outlandish thing of all. Recommended to all, sci-fi lovers and others.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Kurt Vonnegut Book
Review: I am a big fan of Kurt Vonnegut and this is my favorite of his works. Although longer than some of his other books, it is still a light and quick read. Tons of twists and turns - and in Mr. Vonnegut's unique writing style make this book my favorite of his writings. If you've never read any of Kurt Vonnegut's books - I would reccemond starting with "Cat's Cradle" which is very well written, very short, and will introduce you to the writing style of Kurt Vonnegut. If you're already a fan, then this book is required reading if you are to be serious about Mr. Vonnegut's works. Other Kurt Vonnegut favorites are "Cat's Cradle" and "Slaughterhouse Five"
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