Adendum to "Bummer"

Posted by Ross

The Sirens of Titan was the first Vonnegut book I ever read (and has a sacred place in my heart) and his work played a pivotal role in my intellectual development during my teenage years. I always dreamed of getting the chance to meet him, but I guess that one's gonna have to wait. I'm not saying I wouldn't be a writer if it hadn't been for Kurt Vonnegut, but I can say it wasn't until I started reading Vonnegut that I was inspired to dedicate my life to the craft.

I'm also not saying I wouldn't be a humanist if it weren't for Vonnegut. But when I learned that was what he called himself, I knew it was what I am too.

Peace.

Bummer

Posted by Raznor

Kurt Vonnegut died. Probably the most unique American writer of the 20th century. He'll be missed.

My first Vonnegut book was what is considered his darkest - Mother Night. Vonnegut's warning in the introduction to that book is one that has always stuck with me. "We are who we pretend to be, so we must be careful who we pretend to be."

In high school, I read Cat's Cradle. If people ask me about my spirituality and I don't feel like getting into details, I tell them Bokononism. It's as good a description as any.