Actually I know why he is so great...but I wanna hear it from you.
2006-07-05 09:08:40 · 10 answers · asked by gotalife 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I love Vonnegut's use of literary technique as a means of giving insight--the way he can take a book about a guy who survived the firebombing of Dresden, throw in some aliens that look like toilet plungers, tell things completely out of order, and not only have the story make sense at the end, but leave the reader feeling the better for having read it.
And he also rocks because of his willingness to shock people out of complacency--"Harrison Bergeron" is a perfect example of that. People *want* happy endings, and Vonnegut knows this and doesn't care, because he knows that people *need* to be shaken up every once in a while.
I think he's awesome for his willingness to stand up and say what he thinks of the world. I saw him on TV while I was studying "Slaughterhouse-Five" in a contemporary literature class last fall--I think he was on "The Daily Show"--and it was so cool to see him there, telling everyone exactly what he thought of the state of the planet. I don't always agree with what he says, but I respect him immensely for getting out there and saying it.
Also, he has cool hair.
And really, what *isn't* great about Vonnegut?
2006-07-05 10:42:11 · answer #1 · answered by starlightfading 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Because he is hilarious!! He is very clever but his books are not aiming to be particularly clever- they normally just point out the total futility of modern life. Breakfast of Champions is the funniest book I have ever read- i laughed out loud all the time on the tube and people would think i was a nutter! Slaughter House Five is fantastic and the surreal aspects of Cat's Cradle were superb.
Thats whats so great about Kurt Vonnegut.
2006-07-05 16:12:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He did a cameo as himself in Back To School starring Rodney Dangerfield. That's the coolest thing any writer has ever done.
2006-07-05 16:39:58 · answer #3 · answered by Steven S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he's a terrifically observant individual whose love of humanity is matched only by his sorrow at the stupidity we display and the ways in which we hurt each other. And he's turned all that into wonderfully insightful and tremendously funny/sad prose.
He knows what's going on - namely that no one knows what's going on.
2006-07-05 17:22:02 · answer #4 · answered by johnslat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vell, he ate zee most hot dogz at zee Vorld's Fair. He schtood up and said, "I vonnegut....so I will GET a gut!" And zen he started to eat zee hot dogz. And that is why he iz so great. *bows*
2006-07-06 13:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by Marianne not Ginger™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been literarily deprived I think. I will look into some of his books. As soon as I finish the stash waiting to be read.
So much to read and so little time.
2006-07-06 14:40:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's a grouchy old coot with an avid disregard for rules--who doesn't like that?
2006-07-05 16:11:42 · answer #7 · answered by mashmagazine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing
2006-07-05 18:38:02 · answer #8 · answered by Gilwoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a very deep, intellectual writer.
2006-07-05 16:10:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's funny and scary at the same time.
2006-07-05 16:12:03 · answer #10 · answered by KC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋