What is your opinion of Vonnegut?

Question

What is your opinion of Vonnegut?
Where do you think he ranks among the best American authors of all time and why?

Also what is you favorite NOVEL authored by him.

Answer 1

Kurt Vonnegut is a genius and truly was ahead of his time. He ranks very high among American authors of his time - along with Joseph Heller who wrote Catch 22. Vonnegut's works were speculative fiction for the most part, projecting the issues of his time into the future. I read Cat's Cradle every year or so because it is one of my favorite books. I also adore Slaughterhouse 5 and his collection of short stories Welcome to the Monkey House. Alas, he is writing no more - focusing on art instead. I wish he would write another book for his multitudes of fans.

Answer 2

I think that Kurt V. was way ahead of his time. I just finished Player Piano and was impressed that it was written in 1952. He seems to understand humanity with sympathy. From that era Van Vogt was another. I don't think that Kurt would rank as high as many of our new authors, but in his period, certainly one of the best. To write a fiction novel that represents the feelings of humans in a truthful and perceptive way is indeed a gift few writers have mastered.