Slapstick: Or Lonesome No More!

Kurt Vonnegut is a fantastic author, but what he was trying to attempt in this book I do not feel that he was capable of. It was never laugh out loud funny, and perhaps I was expecting the wrong type of novel after reading the introduction. It was an interesting story, although there were a few things that were characteristic of the story that I did not enjoy such as beginning at least one...more

Kurt Vonnegut is a fantastic author, but what he was trying to attempt in this book I do not feel that he was capable of. It was never laugh out loud funny, and perhaps I was expecting the wrong type of novel after reading the introduction. It was an interesting story, although there were a few things that were characteristic of the story that I did not enjoy such as beginning at least one sentence in every chapter with, "Yes," as if the main character was annoyed that people were asking him questions about the story he was writing. I tried reading it as if this "yes," was referencing a feeling of awe, but could not train myself to hear anything other than irritation. I would not recommend this book to new Vonnegut readers, but it is still a good enough book that I would recommend it to seasoned readers.   hide

I read this so, so long ago and recall it as a sad story about life on earth after a catastrophe. Where the last US President is a freak, marginalised and hidden from the world (along with his twin Sister)by their wealthy parents. He lives to lead his nation in its darkest hour, when the very laws of physics seem to collapse, communication with the afterlife takes place and it is found to...more

I read this so, so long ago and recall it as a sad story about life on earth after a catastrophe. Where the last US President is a freak, marginalised and hidden from the world (along with his twin Sister)by their wealthy parents. He lives to lead his nation in its darkest hour, when the very laws of physics seem to collapse, communication with the afterlife takes place and it is found to be worse than the miseries of life on earth... America becomes a series of feudal fiefdoms. The President tries to restore some dignity and order to life in the chaos by creating a new social order of families (or clans) to which all citizens, wandering in the ruins, can belong. Along the way I recall a reference to Dresden near the end of the book and reflected on how the night of the fire scarred Vonnegut for life. This work seemed to me at the time I read it to be a thinly disguised allegory about his century in the form of scifi black comedy. Life, history, death, memory, trauma, laughter and tears. Life in the epoch of the three world wars - 1, 2, and Cold. Worth a look to see if its your cuppa tea.   hide

The Prologue is necessary!

Ah gravity

My first of Vonnegut's...and I doubt he can beat it! I love it!

One of my favorite Vonnegut novels. Like Sirens of Titan, Galapagos, Cat's Cradle, and Mother Night, Slapstick gets better with each re-reading.

This book doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves.

My favorite by Vonnegut

Wonderful and quite different from the other books of his I've read.