Ryan ChartrandFamed American author Kurt Vonnegut has a reputation for writing exceptionally polarizing books; his readers are either deeply pleased or completely angered with his literary output.
True to form, his latest book (his first since 1997), “A Man Without a Country,” proves to be as volatile as the rest of his work. Compiled as a series of essays, it touches on a variety of subjects that deal with Vonnegut’s views on humanity, politics and our country as it exists today.
Vonnegut’s renowned wit and sharp humor are ever-present throughout the 146 pages of his latest, and perhaps final, book. In addition to his writing, he creatively places drawings, diagrams, and personal quotes in at relevant times to set up his coming points and to keep things light.
Although the first chapter emphasizes the importance of humor in the direst of situations, it is almost as if to set up the reader for the subsequent, more depressing chapters.
Not surprisingly, the dark side of the author that most have come to expect emerges soon after. From lamenting what he describes as the “psychopathic personalities” that he thinks have taken over our government, to berating our society for no longer appreciating “thinking people,” few are safe from his tirades.
And so, with the lighter elements of clever humor and original art, come Vonnegut’s trademark cynicism and piercing critiques of society. As always, he takes a substantial risk of offending some of his readers (namely those with a more conservative slant).
He takes stands against things like war, guns and the Bush administration, to name a few, and includes explosive statements, such as one that begs the comparison of our current president to one of the most arguably evil dictators in world history (“Our president was a Christian? So was Adolf Hitler.”).
The majority of the book deals with what Vonnegut thinks is wrong with America, rooted in what makes him feel he is indeed a “.man without a country.”
At times, Vonnegut comes across like an old curmudgeonly next-door neighbor, the one who frightens the cul-de-sac kids with his dramatic war stories and overloads them with his life experiences and advice.
Speaking of war stories, Vonnegut is up there with the best of them; his most famous novel, “Slaughterhouse Five,” told his account of surviving the Dresden bombings of World War II, in which 135,000 people died. It is widely thought that this experience has shaped much of his work.
He draws on personal experiences to support his positions in a slightly annoying, but generally wise and credible way.
Simply put: if you didn’t like Vonnegut before, this book probably won’t change your mind. Conversely, if you’re a fan of his, you’re likely to, if not enjoy the book, at least appreciate it as the work of a respected author.
Plus, Vonnegut’s conversational style and indubitable intellect, combined with the aforementioned humor, make it more than bearable for those readers who welcome a good challenge to their personal conventions.
As strong as Vonnegut’s opinions are, he retains a certain humility that alludes to his awareness of the fact that this book is merely a compilation of his opinions, not necessarily the truth. As long as the readers keep this perspective, they are sure to accept the book for what it is, the long-awaited work of an American icon.
Emilie Egger is an English junior. E-mail questions, comments or suggests to eegger@calpoly.edu.