November 14, 2011
Named for the mental dislocation experienced by Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five, Sumner's exploration of the iconic writer's life begins with a brief biography and an outline of the recurrent themes found throughout his 14 novels. The significant elements include Vonnegut's preoccupation with technology, which stems from his scientific studies at Cornell and later work at General Electric, and his penchant for stories reminiscent of his experience as a soldier and POW during WWII. Fourteen chapters follow, providing plot, background, and analysis for each of Vonnegut's books. Other notable tendencies discussed were the reuse of Midland City, Ohio, and the recycling of minor characters in major roles, such as the constant presence across novels of Kilgore Trout, the science fiction author who appears in all 14, who is finally given the leading role in the author's final novel, Timequake. Sumner does well to contextualize contemporary events both in the world and the writer's personal life during each novel's conception, ultimately connecting many dots in the Vonnegut oeuvre.
October 15, 2011
An introductory-level summary of Kurt Vonnegut's novels, with a biographical twist. It's clear that Sumner (History/Univ. of Detroit Mercy) is a devoted and thoughtful reader of Vonnegut's novels. However, it's difficult to tell whether his book is intended to be a scholarly work or simply the gushing evangelism of a true fan. Readers who enjoyed Slaughterhouse-Five but are looking for a refresher on the plot, or those coming to Vonnegut for the first time, will find that the book meets their needs. Readers seeking a more analytical approach may be disappointed. Sumner describes Vonnegut's novels in chronological order and dispenses corresponding details from the author's personal history when relevant. Though light on analysis, the book is accessible. In his chapter on Night Mother, Sumner zeroes in on the novel's insistence on the impossibility of true moral purity through its portrayal of a protagonist who embodies the role of both war criminal and war hero: "He opens us to the disturbing malleability of the human soul, insists that there is no place of purity and ‘clean hands' to which we can safely and finally retreat." In the chapter on Cat's Cradle, Sumner examines Vonnegut's exploration of the occasionally evil consequences of good intentions. The chronological organization often reveals the development of a particular theme in successive novels, but it precludes a more in-depth investigation of these themes. For general readers, a useful refresher course on Vonnegut's life and novels; scholars should look elsewhere.
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