My best friend and I took a snow day in San Diego. Not that there was any actual snow; in fact the weather for this late January day would have been perfect in July or August. But since our weekend calendars are full of important tasks and necessary chores for the next six or seven weeks, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather to be outside and do nothing. Except read.
On the sundeck of the Hotel Del Coronado, I reached the halfway point of And So It Goes, the biography of Kurt Vonnegut by Charles J. Shields. The book is well written and thoroughly engaging. As a Vonnegut fan since the early 1980s it was a treat to get a life at home context for the writing and publication of his novels. Shields gave new insight into the Vonnegut reaction to critics and fans as each new work was published.
Even though I've read Slaughterhouse-Five more than a dozen times and Cat's Cradle at least a half-dozen, Shields presented new material around the creation and publication of these masterworks. He also deepened my understanding of the import of Player Piano and Mother Night to both Vonnegut's career and American fiction of the 20th Century.
As the anniversary of the firebombing of Dresden in February 1945 approaches, the diligent research Shields put into his book helps readers grasp the role of that event in shaping Vonnegut as a writer and as a man. I would recommend this biography to anyone interested in reading about Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., or curious about the role of science fiction in critiquing culture.
Rick! You've come over to the dark side - Welcome! You're off to a good start here. I love that you put your review of a book within the context of what you are doing while reading it. Most book reviewers just get to it, which is fine, but you've given your blog-readers a connection to you as a person and a reviewer. Job well done! Now you're on the hook to keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gayle. You are an inspiration, as always. I appreciate your words of encouragement. Maybe next month you can share a few of your most important tips. The first round will be on me!
DeleteI didn't know about this one. Marie and I might have to track it down to read.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim, thank you for your comment. Shields' biography came out early last year. I think I missed it while settling in at the new place. I bought the nook book thanks to a gift card and am glad I did.
DeleteHi Rick!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blogosphere. So glad you had great weather to enjoy the sundeck at Hotel Del Coronado. Sounds like a dream weekend with your best friend.
Thank you, Lynne. I'll try to give you reasons to keep reading, and I hope you'll keep on writing!
DeleteNice post. I'll have to check out that biography.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Todd. While Vonnegut has influenced both of us, I hope you know how much your work as a writer inspires me. I'm glad that you read and commented.
DeleteRick, you've taken your first step into a larger world. Good luck with your blog and all your writing. John Mullen
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. I appreciate your kind words and your thoughtful critiques. I look forward to wider recognition of your own work.
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