My top three Vonnegut are Slaughterhouse 5, Cat's Cradle, and my favorite "Mother Night". Vonnegut himself ranked these as his best work so if you haven't checked out MN you should do so. :-)
BTW - Sirens of Titan is amazing. Hope you've read it by now. Also - most essential - Welcome To The Monkey House. Unbelievable - and many of its stories have influenced Twilight Zones and various films throughout the last 60 or so years... P.S> You have adorable cheeks!
Haha that's why I love it. Everyone has different tastes of course, I just love to see what author's can pull out of their hat when they forgo making plot their main focus. I won't argue with anyone who likes Slaughterhouse 5 more. Totally understandable.
Hey Dean, I've read Slaughterhouse-Five already and I have Breakfast of Champions on my bookshelf. Should I read Breakfast of Champions now? Or should I read some of his other works first. I'm only apprehensive to start reading it because I feel like I haven't read enough of his works to really care about Kilgore Trout or anyone else he might frequently use.
Really enjoy your reviews, would love to hear your thoughts on what I consider a modern classic - Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh if you're able to get around to it someday.
To me, the scene where Vonnegut meets Trout was actually kind of sad/touching, although now that I come to think of it, I can see that Trout would STILL be a grumpy old man! And with regards to my vague post on your last video, I have a seven page manuscript I would like you to read would you mind? (it would be attached via email)
Sirens of Titan has some fun free-will stuff. You should read all the Vonnegut you can. Happy Birthday Wanda June has a cool thing about the subconscious mind that I have learned to live by.
Kilgore Trout is actually a mix of him and his friend Phillip Jose Farmer who is a pulp science fiction writer who got permission and wrote Venus on a half shell under the name of Kilgore Trout
I enjoyed breakfast of champions, only problem is that it didn't fucking have waffles. Seriously, pancakes, bacon, etc. but no waffles? Any breakfast of champions needs waffles. 8/10.
Slaughterhouse Five was a favorite of mine. Breakfast of Champions is strange with its index of humanity. Your statement about humor is so true about the book.
Strange how you state that most people miss the point, then you miss the point. There's a subtext to most of his books; our (mis)perceptions, our communication errors (as illustrated in all of trouts stories), and the power of putting a simple idea into someone's head (WW2 started with a simple "idea"). Personally, I feel this is his most genius work. There are so many levels to explore, if you choose to. Or, it's simply a fun, silly book. Overall, pretty good off the cuff review.
Good review, I finished Bluebeard just a while ago and enjoyed its lack of science fiction and idiosyncratic happy ending. Ever consider reading Adam Levin? I haven't read any of his stuff, but I've heard he's very David Foster Wallace-y, so I think you'd enjoy him
great job, just start all of them from now on with a black screen with plain text saying book review and clap twice before it and i will definitely subscribe
I meant to comment awhile ago. But I finally got around to this. And I dug it. Not nearly as innovative and spectacular as Slaughterhouse 5 though. (My opinion) I liked his minor commentaries on little things like assholes or fast food. They felt so true. But... that being said, I agree that this is his least plot driven book. And honestly, I think that is it's the true down fall of it.
come on dean ....dont give up....the middle of the the book can be arduous and even boring...just dont allow yourself to think your intellectually in over your head(the Judge"s speeches notwithstanding)
I agree. I know a huge theme of the book is free will and that’s where we get most of that theme, I wish we got more of the classic Vonnegut “everything’s coming together” climax in the second half like in some of his other stories. Like for instance, do something else with Sacred Miracle Cave. While a lot of the set ups are followed through on there are a few things introduced in the first half that could have played a bigger role later. The end felt a bit rushed to me, although I did find great value in the meeting between the “Creator” and Kilgore. It takes away from Dwayne’s plight a bit. Overall I really liked this though. My favorite is still Cats Cradle :)
![Kurt Vonnegut reading Breakfast of Champions [Abridged] (1979) Complete Audiobook](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oOVELt3-RpY/mqdefault.jpg)
My top three Vonnegut are Slaughterhouse 5, Cat's Cradle, and my favorite "Mother Night". Vonnegut himself ranked these as his best work so if you haven't checked out MN you should do so. :-)
BTW - Sirens of Titan is amazing. Hope you've read it by now. Also - most essential - Welcome To The Monkey House. Unbelievable - and many of its stories have influenced Twilight Zones and various films throughout the last 60 or so years...
P.S> You have adorable cheeks!
Ha I've read all three as well, and this one is my favorite. At least we can both agree Vonnegut rocks.
Cool how you made this video without cuts or editing. That takes skill. Very unique.
Excellent review. Thanks :-)
Haha that's why I love it. Everyone has different tastes of course, I just love to see what author's can pull out of their hat when they forgo making plot their main focus. I won't argue with anyone who likes Slaughterhouse 5 more. Totally understandable.
Nice! Glad you dig it. I need to check it out. Love Vonnegut.
8:19 It's called "breaking the fourth wall"...
Make me young, make me young, make me young!
Plan to read this and Slapstick, pretty soon.
I have read the first two, I'll have to get on MN!
Loved this book, great review you hit it dead on. You gotta read sirens of Titan by far the best of Vonnegut.
Hey Dean, I've read Slaughterhouse-Five already and I have Breakfast of Champions on my bookshelf. Should I read Breakfast of Champions now? Or should I read some of his other works first. I'm only apprehensive to start reading it because I feel like I haven't read enough of his works to really care about Kilgore Trout or anyone else he might frequently use.
Really enjoy your reviews, would love to hear your thoughts on what I consider a modern classic - Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh if you're able to get around to it someday.
To me, the scene where Vonnegut meets Trout was actually kind of sad/touching, although now that I come to think of it, I can see that Trout would STILL be a grumpy old man! And with regards to my vague post on your last video, I have a seven page manuscript I would like you to read would you mind? (it would be attached via email)
Sirens of Titan has some fun free-will stuff. You should read all the Vonnegut you can. Happy Birthday Wanda June has a cool thing about the subconscious mind that I have learned to live by.
Kilgore Trout is actually a mix of him and his friend Phillip Jose Farmer who is a pulp science fiction writer who got permission and wrote Venus on a half shell under the name of Kilgore Trout
I enjoyed breakfast of champions, only problem is that it didn't fucking have waffles. Seriously, pancakes, bacon, etc. but no waffles? Any breakfast of champions needs waffles. 8/10.
Hmmm. Thanks for pointing that out.
I thought this was Vonnegut's funniest book, but kind of a mess.
Slaughterhouse Five was a favorite of mine. Breakfast of Champions is strange with its index of humanity. Your statement about humor is so true about the book.
Thanks a lot, and thanks for tuning in.
Strange how you state that most people miss the point, then you miss the point. There's a subtext to most of his books; our (mis)perceptions, our communication errors (as illustrated in all of trouts stories), and the power of putting a simple idea into someone's head (WW2 started with a simple "idea"). Personally, I feel this is his most genius work. There are so many levels to explore, if you choose to. Or, it's simply a fun, silly book. Overall, pretty good off the cuff review.
man i forgot about that book like 15 years ago.
great analysis, helped me write my author study haha
well done brother
only if you have the time. if your waiting around for another book and you need short book to read,read the giver.its all up to you.
huh, now I'm really curious.
Good review, I finished Bluebeard just a while ago and enjoyed its lack of science fiction and idiosyncratic happy ending.
Ever consider reading Adam Levin? I haven't read any of his stuff, but I've heard he's very David Foster Wallace-y, so I think you'd enjoy him
'Timequake' continues on the idea of freewill.
Yeah that sounds about right.
could you read "The giver"? its very short only i say 189 pages or so
great job, just start all of them from now on with a black screen with plain text saying book review and clap twice before it and i will definitely subscribe
nooooo way, i'm reading this book right now
The Needle Drop of books.
I meant it like. Your really alive in your vids bro.
Reminds me of the movie invention of lying :P
How do you have time to read a book a week?
your alive
considered. :)
you are alive*
I meant to comment awhile ago. But I finally got around to this. And I dug it. Not nearly as innovative and spectacular as Slaughterhouse 5 though. (My opinion) I liked his minor commentaries on little things like assholes or fast food. They felt so true. But... that being said, I agree that this is his least plot driven book. And honestly, I think that is it's the true down fall of it.
what are you talking about
Dude reminds me of Adam Sandler.
come on dean ....dont give up....the middle of the the book can be arduous and even boring...just dont allow yourself to think your intellectually in over your head(the Judge"s speeches notwithstanding)
He meant you used the wrong form of "your". It should be "you're".
What? This is my favorite Vonnegut book man. I think maybe you misinterpreted the video...
I enjoyed the first half of the book and hated the second half where he inserts himself into it.
I agree. I know a huge theme of the book is free will and that’s where we get most of that theme, I wish we got more of the classic Vonnegut “everything’s coming together” climax in the second half like in some of his other stories. Like for instance, do something else with Sacred Miracle Cave. While a lot of the set ups are followed through on there are a few things introduced in the first half that could have played a bigger role later. The end felt a bit rushed to me, although I did find great value in the meeting between the “Creator” and Kilgore. It takes away from Dwayne’s plight a bit. Overall I really liked this though. My favorite is still Cats Cradle :)
Haha I thought I might not be the first.
don't its crap....but this sounds interesting XD
Where are you from? Alaska. You probably shouldn't read Vonnegut
short but painful to get through.
Cats Cradle was kind of a big fucking dissapointment