The Sirens of Titan
by Kurt Vonnegut
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Read in November, 2007
This is the first Vonnegut book I've read. I expected a thoroughly enjoyable experience, as everyone loves Vonnegut. I wish I'd gotten it.
Halfway through the book, I was left wondering when the book would pick up. A few pages later, there was a point (during Unk and Boaz's stint on Mercury) that made me cry, because it seemed for a few moments that I was getting into something substantial, something that would really speak to me. A few pages later, it was gone.
A cover review claims t...more
Halfway through the book, I was left wondering when the book would pick up. A few pages later, there was a point (during Unk and Boaz's stint on Mercury) that made me cry, because it seemed for a few moments that I was getting into something substantial, something that would really speak to me. A few pages later, it was gone.
A cover review claims t...more
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Read in May, 2008
"Oh what fools these humans be" is the phrase that comes to mind. Oh to quote Lennon; "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
This most definately was Vonnegut's mantra when regarding the human race, and how we plan and scheme in the face of total futility. Whether we put our faith in god, or the total abscence of god, in a well ordered universe, or utter chaos and anarchy, there's ol' Kurt, sticking a saftey pin in everything we think we believe, and ...more
This most definately was Vonnegut's mantra when regarding the human race, and how we plan and scheme in the face of total futility. Whether we put our faith in god, or the total abscence of god, in a well ordered universe, or utter chaos and anarchy, there's ol' Kurt, sticking a saftey pin in everything we think we believe, and ...more
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Read in October, 2007
Kurt Vonnegut does it again with "The Sirens of Titan," a masterpiece about humanity, religion and the meaning of life. I've loved everything Vonnegut's written and after I finish reading each book of his, I feel like "that one" is my favorite. Basically, they're all fantastic works of genius. Vonnegut can simply and concisely put into a single sentence the absolute truth, or something remarkably close to it.
What makes "The Sirens of Titan" special is Vonnegu...more
What makes "The Sirens of Titan" special is Vonnegu...more
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Vonnegut takes the reader through an emotional space-coaster ride as he convinces us life is full of good and bad luck, life is meaningless, God is indifferent, we are pawns in mundane tasks for other worlds, and finally, the reason that we are all here (I won't give it away, though).
He was able to create characters that we sympathized with while we disliked them. In fact, I don't think there is anyone in this book you will outrightly like. But the closest you will come is feeling very s...more
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Read in August, 2007
The Sirens of Titan is a rare masterwork, a novel with broad and varied powers. It is an elusive book that seeks you out, a panorama of arresting images, a cosmic drama played out across the galaxy and set in the devices of the future but capturing eternal beauty as though in indestructible stone. At its simplest, it is the story of Malachi Constant, who despite his egotistical intentions, endures mental and physical suffering, isolation, and the loss of his own identity in order to be reunite...more
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Kurt Vonnegut at his best.
I've bought this book at Shakespeare & Co. in Vienna. Actually I was looking for "Cat's cradle" but there the bookseller -I guess he was Canadian, by the way- has suggested me to take this one. It has been a bit difficult to find this novel among the highest shelves of that small and cosy bookshop but I've managed to. Standing on the old wooden ladder of Shakespeare & Co. I've risked to fall down twice. Anyway, I'm safe and sound.
And I've got my ...more
I've bought this book at Shakespeare & Co. in Vienna. Actually I was looking for "Cat's cradle" but there the bookseller -I guess he was Canadian, by the way- has suggested me to take this one. It has been a bit difficult to find this novel among the highest shelves of that small and cosy bookshop but I've managed to. Standing on the old wooden ladder of Shakespeare & Co. I've risked to fall down twice. Anyway, I'm safe and sound.
And I've got my ...more
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Read in September, 2004
While Cat's Cradle is still my favorite Vonnegut novel, The Sirens of Titan is a very close second. My original paperback copy had gone missing, so I bought a trade-sized replacement, tho I'm less thrilled with the cover.
Malachi Constant, the richest and luckiest man in the world, is called to the Rumfoord estate. He meets with Winston Niles Rumfoord, who, through an accident in space, ...more
Malachi Constant, the richest and luckiest man in the world, is called to the Rumfoord estate. He meets with Winston Niles Rumfoord, who, through an accident in space, ...more
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In his early career, Vonnegut was billed as a Science Fiction writer, a title that often annoyed and amused him. Of course, it was books like The Sirens of Titan that gave him this reputation.
Even though the novel deals with a greater diversity of themes than a simple space opera romp, the story is still largely pinned to the imaginative world of speculative fantasy. In fact, Vonnegut frequently approached the science fiction elements of his books with an obvious sense of its utter implausi...more
Even though the novel deals with a greater diversity of themes than a simple space opera romp, the story is still largely pinned to the imaginative world of speculative fantasy. In fact, Vonnegut frequently approached the science fiction elements of his books with an obvious sense of its utter implausi...more
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Read in May, 2008
Vonnegut tells fantastic stories. He even tells you what will happen right before it happens. But this doesn't detract from the story because the events never unfold the way in which you were expecting.
Sirens of Titan does involve science fiction elements, but at its heart it is a book about the deep human desire for friendship. This need motivates the characters throughout the novel, though the characters do not realize it. Many look to fill their longings for companionship with God. ...more
Sirens of Titan does involve science fiction elements, but at its heart it is a book about the deep human desire for friendship. This need motivates the characters throughout the novel, though the characters do not realize it. Many look to fill their longings for companionship with God. ...more
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recommends it for:
Everyone
This is my first review so I figured it best to start with a book that I know like the back of my hand. I've read everything that Vonnegut has ever written from 'Player Piano' to 'Man Without a Country' even squeezing in some of his screenplays in the middle such as 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June'. This is my personal recommendation for the Vonnegut book to read if you are only going to read one Vonnegut book (although Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle and Mother Night are all close to the top of...more
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recommends it for:
Fans of Steinbeck
I have trouble with Kurt Vonnegut in general: I get sort of distracted with the almost comic fantasy in the books. It seems like an easy way out in a way, like in order to make the story work he needs to invent things like strange "chrono synclastic infudibula" or sound-eating harmoniums to fit in the themes that he wants. Part of it, of course, is the scientific knowledge of the times, that Vonnegut's guesses about giant birds on Titan's were as good as anyone's. Still, these are thin...more
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Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone!
It's been a very long journey for me and the love of reading. Only in the last three years has it fully blossomed into it's current book a week madness. I credit this book along with "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" for initially showing me how to take pleasure in reading.
Though I recently re-read "The Sirens of Titan," it was 13 years ago that I first read it. An English teacher recommended the book to me when I claimed to dislike reading and stated the only book I'...more
Though I recently re-read "The Sirens of Titan," it was 13 years ago that I first read it. An English teacher recommended the book to me when I claimed to dislike reading and stated the only book I'...more
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone, especially people interested in politics.
I was wary of picking up Vonnegut for a long time, because even though he's such a well regarded author, his plots are so science fiction based, and I have little to no interest in science fiction. After asking for book recommendations for my trip to Europe, my friend Amanda recommended this to me and I trust her taste, so I figured it was time for me and Vonnegut to get together. And I am so glad that we did.
As anticipated, yes, the plot was a bit ridiculous and very science fiction based, ...more
As anticipated, yes, the plot was a bit ridiculous and very science fiction based, ...more
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Read in September, 1999
This book, more than any other perhaps, sparked a revolution in my thought. It is almost a cliche for any avid reader to namecheck Vonnegut as a huge influence. That said, "The Sirens of Titan" was and remains essential because it took satire and extended it into the outer reaches of the cosmos. Voltaire certainly paved the way with Micromegas, and Mark Twain was adept at combining satire with what later became Science Fiction; but, it was Vonnegut who fully realized the latent pote...more
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A great book. I must confess that I am quite the KV aficionado, so take this overwhelmingly positive review with that grain of salt. I would probably rank SoT, personally, as KV's third-best novel, after Slaughterhouse-Five and Cat's Cradle.
What's particularly interesting about this book, to me, is that you can see in it the development of many of the ideas used in those later masterpieces, interestingly juxtaposed with a sort of dime-store novel, Buck-Rogers style plot. People tend to jump ...more
What's particularly interesting about this book, to me, is that you can see in it the development of many of the ideas used in those later masterpieces, interestingly juxtaposed with a sort of dime-store novel, Buck-Rogers style plot. People tend to jump ...more
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Read in December, 2007
Well, you know, all of those people that tell you that this is Vonnegut's best book -- from the guy on the front cover of this edition to the lady that sold it to you at the book store -- they're pretty much right. Over the course of this book, Vonnegut dissects literally every single aspect of humanity, zooms out until they all look completely absurd. The only thing that ends up looking even halfway worthwhile is friendship.
"I had a friend," said Malachi Constant into the micropho...more
"I had a friend," said Malachi Constant into the micropho...more
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Read in February, 2005
recommends it for:
EVERYONE (and especially Ayn Randers)
This is one of those rare books that should be in a class all by itself; six stars worth. i believe that it is Vonnegut's best work, yes, even better than Slaughterhouse 5. What's more, this book is more accessible than any of his others.
When i read Vonnegut i often feel that many of his ideas are coalescing just six inches above my skull. With Sirens, Vonnegut aims his literary cannon through the eyes blasts right to the back of the skull. (If you think that statement is over the top, try ...more
When i read Vonnegut i often feel that many of his ideas are coalescing just six inches above my skull. With Sirens, Vonnegut aims his literary cannon through the eyes blasts right to the back of the skull. (If you think that statement is over the top, try ...more
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Read in May, 2007
#1 in "Rereading My Favorites" program. Not sure what #2 will be or if the next book i read will be new to me (maybe *One Hundred Years of Solitude*?).
I'm guessing that this book introduced me to the "apatheism" idea. I used to think that i coined the term and refined the concept beyond what's in the novel (i.e., God doesn't care about us and there's nothing we can do to impress or please God).
I wasn't as moved by the theology as during the first read, but still a g...more
I'm guessing that this book introduced me to the "apatheism" idea. I used to think that i coined the term and refined the concept beyond what's in the novel (i.e., God doesn't care about us and there's nothing we can do to impress or please God).
I wasn't as moved by the theology as during the first read, but still a g...more
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I thought that this book was pretty good. This book is about a man named Malaci Constant from Hollywood. He is a guy with a lot of luck and is the son of a very wealthy man and he continues the family fortune. He goes on travels through space, going to planets such as Mars, Mercury, back to Earth and to a moon of Saturn. Ultimately, he goes on a trip through many planets and he meets a man who has a ship that can enter a phenomenon. I won't get too deep into the novel, but I generally say that t...more
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Read in May, 2008
I first read this in preparation for a class I teach at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. While I do enjoy the book, I can see that Vonnegut, like most atheists, does cop out in the end. He pushes his materialist view yet still proposes a universal morality, with no more authority than himself. Like the movie The Fifth Element and the moronic, immature, solipsistic, sophomoric philosophers known as The Beatles, he proposes that "love is all you need." Ah, if only that were true....more
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.06 (4949 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.05 (3699 ratings) number of reviews: 279popular shelves
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"A purpose of human life is to love whoever is out there to be loved.""
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