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In a collection of brief autobiographical essays, the renowned novelist offers his views on art, politics, and everyday life in America. A Man Without a Country is Kurt Vonnegut's hilariously funny and razor-sharp look at life "If I die-God forbid-I would like to go to heaven to ask somebody in charge up there, Hey, what was the good news and what was the bad news?"), art ("To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it."), politics ("I asked former Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton what he thought of our great victory over Iraq and he said, Mohammed Ali versus Mr. Rogers."), and the condition of the soul of America today ("What has happened to us?"). Gleaned from short essays and speeches composed over the last five years and plentifully illustrated with artwork by the author in full color throughout, A Man Without a Country gives us Vonnegut both speaking out with indignation and writing tenderly to his fellow Americans, sometimes joking, at other times hopeless, always searching.… (more)
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There's a comfort in this book, a combination of vitality and vulnerability,
Sure, certain parts may come off a bit heavy-handed and obvious, but the nonfiction mode and his age allow him to get away with it. And even when he admits that he's past being funny, he's hilarious -- and he's most hilarious when he's being deadly serious.
As a final punctuation mark to one of the finest American literary careers, there's nothing more appropriate this, a text that feels like a close, personal conversation with a well-known friend.
While pondering this review I kept thinking of the Coen Brothers and in particular their movie THE BIG LEBOWSKI. I would like to think that among the last thoughts of Kurt Vonnegut was something as reassuring as "The Dude Abides". If you don't know what that means watch the movie. If then you still don't know what it means, watch it again. So it goes.
Mark Vonnegut
May 7, 2007
After learning of Vonnegut's death, fans of his writing knew exactly what to do next—read Vonnegut. Whether you turn to Slaughterhouse Five or this latest collection of essays, we read
A recurring line throughout the essays:
“If I should ever die, God forbid….”
God forbid, indeed.
Reviewed by: Sandy
If you haven't read anything from Vonnegut I would suggest you read some of his other books first (my personal recommendations: 'Slaughterhouse 5' and 'Galapagos'),before you turn to this book, which presupposes some familiarity with his novels.
very personal musings be given over to another hand to index?
There were many times throughout the book that I thought to myself "that is exactly what I
This book lead me into my quest for reading all Kurt Vonnegut I can get my hands on. I am looking forward to reading much more in the future.
Vonnegut was a man that not only wrote about the bombing of Dresden in Slaughterhouse Five, but actually lived through it himself. Using that experience as a lens, he expresses his views on our current conflicts in
Along side said essays are his interesting musing on life and the human condition. I often find myself searching for meaning in life and welcome any new perspectives, regardless of how pessimistic they may be.
A very enjoyable read that I will be recommending to those that haven't already read it.