Does anyone else out there love Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving? I want to hear from those who do!?

Question

Over the years I have adored reading these guys. I recently learned that Vonnegut was a mentor for John Irving. Who remembers Mark, Kurt's son? Did he die? He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and I recall his book...

Your summation of him is gloriously right on. He is pure joy! I will run out to get the book you recommend. Have you read "God Bless You, Dr Kevorkian"? I suffer from depression and while there have been many therapies and medications over these years, this man NEVER fails to renew my love of humanity.

Answer 1

On Vonnegut: more than any other writer around, I am jealous of people who have not read Vonnegut the most. They still get to discover him. He is unique in literature; not the greatest writer by a long short, but unique, and a joy to read. Have you read his latest--A Man Without A Country? Wonderful final words (probably) from the most unapologetic writer on the planet.

Answer 2

Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle changed my way of looking at life. I read it the same year as Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove came out, and from then on, I was not the same guy.

I think Vonnegut is a wonderful writer though I think he's lost some of that edgy humor in recent years; the darkness is still there, but it always needed the levening. He wrote a great short story called "Handicap" about a future where anyone with any talent, grace or intelligence has to be somehow handicapped so that they are no better than the average person. I think that is one of the great metaphors of our time.

Personally, I've never cared much for Irving though. I just don't enjoy the writing much though the topics and ideas are worthy enough.
I intend to give him a second try at some point, because so many people I respect admire him...

Answer 3

Vonnegut has got to be one of the greatest writers of our age.

By the way, the story about the Handicapper General is titled "Harrison Bergeron"