Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
We Are What We Pretend To Be: The First and Last Works
Called “our finest black-humorist” by The Atlantic Monthly, Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Now his first and last works come together for the first time in print, in a collection aptly titled after his famous phrase, We Are What We Pretend To Be.
Written to be sold under the pseudonym of “Mark Harvey,” Basic Training was never pu...more
Written to be sold under the pseudonym of “Mark Harvey,” Basic Training was never pu...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
October 9th 2012
by Vanguard Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,047)
It's good.
I mean, if you are a die-hard Vonnegut fan (which I am), you can't not like it. His "The Sirens of Titan" stands the test of time (a long time) and was my introduction to Vonnegut's work. Some years later, the opportunity to meet him briefly happened, and he signed my copy, which I still have.
It's falling apart. He said it would. Something about the the sulfur content of the paper?
But anyway...
"We are What We Pretend to Be" is actually a project produced by his daughter, Natalie, afte...more
I mean, if you are a die-hard Vonnegut fan (which I am), you can't not like it. His "The Sirens of Titan" stands the test of time (a long time) and was my introduction to Vonnegut's work. Some years later, the opportunity to meet him briefly happened, and he signed my copy, which I still have.
It's falling apart. He said it would. Something about the the sulfur content of the paper?
But anyway...
"We are What We Pretend to Be" is actually a project produced by his daughter, Natalie, afte...more
There have been a number of Vonnegut books published since his death, a couple of which (Armageddon In Retrospect and Where Mortals Sleep) were surprisingly strong collections, another of which (Look At The Birdie) was rather weak. Given that this new volume contains his first ever work, Basic Training, and all that survives of a final novel (six chapters of If God Were Alive Today), I suspect that the well has finally run dry as far as his fiction goes (a collection of his letters is on the way...more
First novella ("Basic Training") was shockingly bland. Which is surprising, seeing how the synopsis hyped it up:
It's no wonder this was never published during Vonnegut's lifetime.
As for the second novella...
["Basic Training"] is a bitter, profoundly disenchanted story that satirizes the military, authoritarianism, gender relationships, parenthood and most of the assumed mid-century myths of the family.Yeah, except not really.
It's no wonder this was never published during Vonnegut's lifetime.
As for the second novella...
["If God Were Alive Today"] is a brutal satire on societal ignorance an...more
First of all, I'm not rating We Are What We Pretend to Be as a Vonnegut book. If I were, I'd probably give it a lower score. Not because it isn't any good, but rather that it isn't a great Vonnegut book. Also, it wouldn't be fair. To keep our rating criteria fair, after all, we have to rate any given thing as a thing in its own right, right?
Okay, so I'm rating this book for the overall reading experience, which, unavoidably, is influenced by my status as a longtime Vonnegut fan. I know this see...more
Okay, so I'm rating this book for the overall reading experience, which, unavoidably, is influenced by my status as a longtime Vonnegut fan. I know this see...more
I admit I am a lifelong fan of Kurt Vonnegut. His sometimes angry, but realistic and satirical depiction of American politics, values, apathy and his consistent anti-war stance all appeal to me.
This book contains the first story he wrote in the 40's, Basic Training. He had never found a publisher before, but I found it very engaging. It is a pretty straightforward narrative, and greatly enhanced by the commentary provided by his daughter in the forward.
His last work, unfinished at the time of h...more
This book contains the first story he wrote in the 40's, Basic Training. He had never found a publisher before, but I found it very engaging. It is a pretty straightforward narrative, and greatly enhanced by the commentary provided by his daughter in the forward.
His last work, unfinished at the time of h...more
I am hoping that we are nearing the end of the line when it comes to the posthumous publishing of everything ever scribbled down on paper by this great writer. This particular effort at wringing every last cent out of Vonnegut consists of 2 novellas; "Basic Training", the work of a budding young writer who had not yet found his voice and "If God Were Alive Today", an unfinished novel written by a master who's powers had greatly diminished and who, as it turned out, was near death. Neither of the...more
As a Vonnegut-phile, I considered this required reading. I guess from a historic perspective, it was interesting enough to read the "first and last works" of one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed the first novella, Basic Training, much more than the second story,If God Were Alive Today.
In Basic Training, you get a quirky story with characters who reminded me of those seen in some of Vonnegut's short stories. It was a picture of mid 20th century American life that demonstrated how things were bo...more
In Basic Training, you get a quirky story with characters who reminded me of those seen in some of Vonnegut's short stories. It was a picture of mid 20th century American life that demonstrated how things were bo...more
Jan 02, 2013
Eric
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Hardcore Vonnegut fans
Recommended to Eric by:
Library
Shelves:
kurt-vonnegut
I saw this slim volume in my local library and couldn't resist picking it up, as it was unfamiliar to me, a big Kurt Vonnegut fan. When I got home with it, I realized I already read the first half of it when it was released as a Kindle Single (review here).
The second half is the unfinished novel Vonnegut was working on at the time of his death. The main character, Gil Berman, is supposed to be an edgy comedian in the Lenny Bruce mold, but sadly comes off as a mouthpiece for a frustrated, fed up,...more
The second half is the unfinished novel Vonnegut was working on at the time of his death. The main character, Gil Berman, is supposed to be an edgy comedian in the Lenny Bruce mold, but sadly comes off as a mouthpiece for a frustrated, fed up,...more
This slim volume covers two previously unpublished Vonnegut works. The first, "Basic Training", is a very early novella, written a few years before "Player Piano". "Basic Training" follows young Haley to his relative's farm after the death of his parents. The head of the family is known as The General and runs the family in military fashion. The second half of the book is a unfinished novel entitled "If God Were Alive Today". It is classic late Vonnegut, bitter, ironic and unabashedly honest. Th...more
We Are What We Pretend To Be shows the evolution of Kurt Vonnegut’s writing at the beginning and end of his career. It contains two of the author’s works. His first novella, Basic Training stands in stark contrast to his unfinished novel If God Were Alive Today. The former is a rather straight forward satire on the military, authoritarian parenting and authoritarianism in general. The latter is a completely wild and nutty, satirical look at our ignorance and denial of an apocalyptic future. Rece...more
The first story, "Basic Training," was something of a gem, if only to witness a frayed and undeveloped Vonnegut still finding his voice. The story itself is fine, if lacking Vonnegut's usual wit, but it is a harmless pleasure and a formative step in his writing career. With that and daughter Nanette's introduction, all this collection had to do was provide a tragically short glimpse at the chapters of his unfinished last novel and I would surrender a 3 or 4 star rating. Instead, the few chapters...more
Basic Training(The first half of this two part book) is an interesting,wondrous, and previously unpublished first tale from the one and only Kurt Vonnegut. This novella showcases his unique writing and outlook on life in a short and sweet 20,000 words.
It's simple yet Vonnegut-esque tale about a young man who has to move in with his uncle(whom they call The General) and his cousins. But as always with Kurt, things are a lot zanier than what you'd imagine. Soon it becomes an intriguing revenge pl...more
It's simple yet Vonnegut-esque tale about a young man who has to move in with his uncle(whom they call The General) and his cousins. But as always with Kurt, things are a lot zanier than what you'd imagine. Soon it becomes an intriguing revenge pl...more
"Andd Becker's review Oct 23, 12
Read in October, 2012
Nanette Vonnegut's commentary is excellent. The concept of first and last works of Kurt Vonnegut sounds good, but it doesn't work out well. The first work is not high caliber. The last work is unfinished, alas."
The review quoted above more or less sums up my feelings about this book. There is a marked transition in the first and last novella and the difference is apparent but in both works, the writer knows exactly what he is doing and that is...more
Read in October, 2012
Nanette Vonnegut's commentary is excellent. The concept of first and last works of Kurt Vonnegut sounds good, but it doesn't work out well. The first work is not high caliber. The last work is unfinished, alas."
The review quoted above more or less sums up my feelings about this book. There is a marked transition in the first and last novella and the difference is apparent but in both works, the writer knows exactly what he is doing and that is...more
Vonnegut fans will love this collection of two novellas--the first from the beginning of his writing career (actually, before it) about a rigorous, strict man, "The General", raising a hodgepodge family on a farm, circa 1940; the second a short story about a stand-up comedian Vonnegut left unfinished at his death. Neither story is incredibly strong compared to most of Vonnegut's other work, but the treat in this book is the contrast in this prolific writer's style from the 1940s to the 2000s.
If...more
If...more
Oct 11, 2012
Svetla Angelova
marked it as to-read
Когато умира през 2007 г., Вонегът оставя един роман недовършен. Това е „If God Were Alive Today” – брутална сатира за арогантността сред хората и затварянето на очите пред най-големите проблеми на човечеството. Главният персонаж е университетски преподавател, който се самопровъзгласява за комедиант и се шегува с обществените проблеми и апокалипсиса в пълните университетски аули. Асоциацията със самия автор е неизбежна.
Нанет Вонегът публикува ръкописите за първи път. Тя добавя предговор, както и...more
Нанет Вонегът публикува ръкописите за първи път. Тя добавя предговор, както и...more
2 likes · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Mar 25, 2013
Liane Jacobs
added it
Ok, so I haven't read any Vonnegut until this one. It has two stories one Novella from his early career and the last story he was working on. I didn't read it looking for the development of a writer. I guess that was the point. I just figured I'd check it out. First story was very innocent in its presentation. The second story, hated it. I could find nothing redeeming about the main character and the story was too disjointed. I don't need written work to be linier but this was just annoying.
Mayb...more
Mayb...more
Nov 21, 2012
Frank
added it
I reviewed the first part of this book when I read it as a Kindle single.
The second part is the 70 page start of Vonnegut's last novel. While his style and voice are unmistakeable, this is hardly more than a rough draft. What's here is a character sketch of Gil Berman, a Lenny Bruce/Bill Hicks-esque comedian. He's classically messed up and that's about all we get. It wouldn't be fair to give a rating.
Best line: "Money is dehydrated mercy. If you have plenty of it, you just add tears, and people...more
The second part is the 70 page start of Vonnegut's last novel. While his style and voice are unmistakeable, this is hardly more than a rough draft. What's here is a character sketch of Gil Berman, a Lenny Bruce/Bill Hicks-esque comedian. He's classically messed up and that's about all we get. It wouldn't be fair to give a rating.
Best line: "Money is dehydrated mercy. If you have plenty of it, you just add tears, and people...more
"If God Were Alive Today" was a very interesting story. It was a bit of a return to form for Vonnegut, whose last few novels were non-fictionalized fiction. However, there seemed to be a fair amount of vitriol in this final work. Vonnegut's daughter, in the introduction, gave us clues as to parallels in his life at the time that may have influenced this particular writing and it is a little shocking to read. The other tragedy, of course, is that this story was an unfinished chunk of a longer nov...more
So glad this was published. His first lengthy work, "Basic Training", is a wonderful Vonnegut story in the classic style he used to utilize early on. It's beautiful, engaging, and amusing. His last work, "If God Were Alive Today (He'd Be an Atheist) was less successful, in my mind, but still worth reading. Still, I will always consider _Timequake_ to be his last real work - there's a reason he never finished "If God..." Overall, this is a great book - added to which is a great introduction by hi...more
This is a difficult little book for me to rate. It consists of two short novellas, neither previously published. The first, Basic Training, was fair at best. It was the first story that KV wrote and was rejected. The second, If God Were Alive Today, is excellent, full of rage, humor, and pathos. It is the last that KV wrote and was intended to be a full-length novel. I would recommend the book, if only for the second work. The first one is not horrible, but is definitely not on a par with his ot...more
This is actually two short works: Basic Training and Vonnegut's last book, which in tone and topic resembles Twain's Letters from the Earth: Uncensored Writings. Curmudgeonly critiquing society's flaws in comic flourishes is something both Vonnegut and Twain do remarkably well.
I was close to giving it 3, but both stories ended on fine notes, so I say what the heck. The first novella, "Basic Training," is so unlike any Kurt Vonnegut story I've read. There is little humor. Some bite, but it gets drowned in the conventionality of the story. It's very plain. Very "basic." But it's good. The second one, "If God Were Alive Today," is what I expected. Funny as all get out. Rough subject matter. Twisty-turnies. And the zinger at the end. Concise, but memorable. Altogether, an...more
The stories themselves weren't all that thrilling. What I really enjoyed about this was the contrast between the writing styles from the same author. It was awesome to see how a good, young writer with a fair talent for telling a story evolved into the flair and eccentricity that now characterizes the work we are familiar with later in his career. Tone and style evolve over time even within the same person. I've never seen a better example than in these two short stories.
This book contains two previously unpublished short stories by Kurt Vonnegut, one from the beginning of his career, and one from the end of his career. If you love Vonnegut, there is much to see and enjoy here. You get to see the evolution of his literary voice and story telling, and here are two "new" stories that you've never read! That said, these aren't his very best works, and if you're not already a Vonnegut fan, this probably isn't the place to start. "Basic Training" felt a little long t...more
The first and last writings of Vonnegut. The first being a story he shopped around unsuccessfully before Player Piano came out. You can see the beginnings of his familiar style but it doesn't catch you up like his later works. The last one is maybe a third of a novel, definitely Vonnegut, fun, dark humor, deep, but it's a fragment. Unless you're a Vonnegut nut (guilty) it's probably not worth the cover price.
While based on its own merits, this book is really only 3 stars worthy, I think it is worth reading for anyone interested in the craft of writing. the differences in style and confidence between the two books makes this a worthy read.
The first story in particular is fascinating, because it is technically fine but understandable why it was not published because there is nothing notable about it.
The first story in particular is fascinating, because it is technically fine but understandable why it was not published because there is nothing notable about it.
I'm glad I got to read this first and last piece of Kurt Vonnegut's writing. It is an opportunity to see how he grew from the beginning to end of his prestigious writing career.
The first piece "Basic Training" was dull. The second novella "If God Was Alive Today" was a great very funny work in progress leaving me wishing Vonnegut were still alive to see it through to completion.
The first piece "Basic Training" was dull. The second novella "If God Was Alive Today" was a great very funny work in progress leaving me wishing Vonnegut were still alive to see it through to completion.
This contains what seems to be Vonnegut's first (unpublished in his lifetime) short novel which is by no means what fans will think of as classic Vonnegut but is moderately entertaining nonetheless. This collection also contains his final uncompleted novel (If God was Alive Today) which has the regular Vonnegut voice was certainly not finished but had promise.
The intro by his daughter, Nanette, is interesting; I'd have enjoyed more of her recollections.
The first novella reminds me of Flannery O'Connor, with its love-hate family ties and its rural, slowly percolating sense of dread.
The second, his last, has many recognizaby Vonnegut elements, yet I yearn for reassurance that it was okay with him to publish a work in progress.
The first novella reminds me of Flannery O'Connor, with its love-hate family ties and its rural, slowly percolating sense of dread.
The second, his last, has many recognizaby Vonnegut elements, yet I yearn for reassurance that it was okay with him to publish a work in progress.
It's pretty cool that they put together a book of Vonnegut's very first and very last works. You get to see how his writing style has changed from start to finish. It is just a shame he wasn't able to finish the one piece. It probably would have been great. You get a good idea what it's about from these 6 chapters, but you'll want to know where he goes from there.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Kurt Vonnegut, Junior was an American novelist, satirist, and most recently, graphic artist. He was recognized as New York State Author for 2001-2003.
He was born in Indianapolis, later the setting for many of his novels. He attended Cornell University from 1941 to 1943, where he wrote a column for the student newspaper, the Cornell Daily Sun. Vonnegut trained as a chemist and worked as a journali...more
More about Kurt Vonnegut...
He was born in Indianapolis, later the setting for many of his novels. He attended Cornell University from 1941 to 1943, where he wrote a column for the student newspaper, the Cornell Daily Sun. Vonnegut trained as a chemist and worked as a journali...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
