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Welcome to the Monkey House
Welcome to the Monkey House is a collection of Kurt Vonnegut’s shorter works. Originally printed in publications as diverse as The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and The Atlantic Monthly, these superb stories share Vonnegut’s audacious sense of humor and extraordinary range of creative vision.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
December 18th 2007
by Delta
(first published 1968)
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Like many offbeat/outcast teens, I went through a Vonnegut phase - and am glad to say I never completely recovered. I would heartily recommend Welcome to the Monkey House for anyone new to Vonnegut's body of work, as it covers basically the first two decades of his career (and IMHO, the best years)
It contains an honest-to-goodness love story - "Long Walk to Forever" that always makes me sniffle a little. Then there's the familiarly sardonic "Report on the Barnhouse Eff...more
It contains an honest-to-goodness love story - "Long Walk to Forever" that always makes me sniffle a little. Then there's the familiarly sardonic "Report on the Barnhouse Eff...more
Kevin
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Recommends it for:
Readers who think they don't like short stories
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This is one of he best collections of short stories ever published. "More Stately Mansions" is one of my favorites and it's not typical Vonnegut; it's a short story in the traditional sense, and is told patiently and is so relaxed that when the end comes, you'll find you've been holding your breath. In "The Foster Portfolio" you can smell the smoke and feel the tension. You'll laugh at the absurdities and marvel at the compassion. You'll cheer for Harrison Bergeron and grit y...more
This collection of early short stories, mostly from the 1950s, displays Vonnegut's versatility--of subject matter, theme, and style; and also his grasping for an identifiable, unique personal style. At this point, he already is a mature, assured writer. Except for possibly "The Manned Missiles" (which nonetheless has the same clever twist ending as many of the other stories in this collection) all of the stories in this compilation are great. Vonnegut's command of narrative and descrip...more
Vonnegut does a wonderful job with a short story and while most stories were "okay" to "yeah, I liked it I guess", it's definitely worth it for the few 4 to 5 star ratings.
"Where I Live" (Venture- Traveler’s World, October 1964) - 2/5 Kinda boring and no real plot. Just meandering
"Harrison Bergeron" (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1961) - 5/5 Loved this one - science fiction - Handicapping people so everything is fai...more
"Where I Live" (Venture- Traveler’s World, October 1964) - 2/5 Kinda boring and no real plot. Just meandering
"Harrison Bergeron" (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1961) - 5/5 Loved this one - science fiction - Handicapping people so everything is fai...more
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I could write a long review and talk about every short story in this collection, but I'm not going to do that. There are just too many good stories in this collection. My personal favorite was probably "Harrison Bergeron" but I would have to think about that. It's not necessary that I have a "favorite" per se, but my mind just works that way.
If you're a Vonnegut fan, you've probably read this. If you've never read Vonnegut, give it a shot. It's a great way to...more
If you're a Vonnegut fan, you've probably read this. If you've never read Vonnegut, give it a shot. It's a great way to...more
I heard once from an old English teacher that the hardest pieces to write are short stories and short films. To develop a plot and characters in a short and constricted time frame requires no small amount of skill. There's no room to waste words and phrases; to do so would turn your short story into a novella. Poe was great at it. And I feel Vonnegut was great at it too.
Welcome to the Monkey House has been a favorite book of mine for a long time. I may have inadvertently acquire...more
Welcome to the Monkey House has been a favorite book of mine for a long time. I may have inadvertently acquire...more
Aseara dupa ce am intrat in posesia cartii, mi-am spus "hai sa vad cum incepe". Am citit prefata (semnata de autor) si nu m-am mai oprit pina nu am terminat primele 5 povestiri, printre care si Harrison Bergeron o scurta distopie de tip orwellian, absolut tulburatoare, de care eram interesat in mod deosebit dupa ce am vazut ecranizarea-i superba in filmul de 25 de minute, 2081.
In mare, filmul respecta povestea, dar, nu reuseste sa redea latura ironica existenta in povestir...more
In mare, filmul respecta povestea, dar, nu reuseste sa redea latura ironica existenta in povestir...more
I think Vonnegut really ought to have been a short-story writer. As much as I love some of his novels, the character of Kilgore Trout and frequent synopses of HIS short stories show me that deep down, Vonnegut just wanted to spin out wild short fiction tales.
And here he gets the opportunity, except some of these stories are not wild and just interesting and pleasant. In looking at a listing (on Wikipedia, of course) of the stories in this book, I'm surprised at how many of them make...more
And here he gets the opportunity, except some of these stories are not wild and just interesting and pleasant. In looking at a listing (on Wikipedia, of course) of the stories in this book, I'm surprised at how many of them make...more
This was the first Vonnegut book I read. I spotted on my Dad's bookshelf, said to myself "I've been meaning to read some Vonnegut" and picked it up to read without even glancing at the back cover. I loved the first chapter, then read the second and loved it too but had no idea how it connected to the first. When I got to the third and it was also completely different I finally glanced to the cover and noticed it was a collection of short stories! They are all wonderful. Some funny...more
This was a summer reading assignment for me in high school and I remember being hooked by Vonnegut's social satire. I loved his imaginative stories, humor, and slightly sci-fi plots to portray human pitfalls. The book left we pondering considerably and hungry for more Vonnegut and I soon read every one of his novels. Recently I reread the collection of short stories and it wasn't the amazing book I remember from my youth, many of his warnings about humanity are old news now. But as a youth I was...more
25 short stories originally written between 1950 and 1968. The collection was published in 1968.
Narrators are Bill Irwin, Maria Tucci, Dylan Baker, David Strathairn, and Tony Roberts - one narrator per story. Some of the narrators are better than others. All are adequate.
The stories range from slice-of-life to science fiction, and the tone ranges from gentle compassion to savage satire. Unlike a lot of Vonnegut's later work, most of the stories have what might be conside...more
Narrators are Bill Irwin, Maria Tucci, Dylan Baker, David Strathairn, and Tony Roberts - one narrator per story. Some of the narrators are better than others. All are adequate.
The stories range from slice-of-life to science fiction, and the tone ranges from gentle compassion to savage satire. Unlike a lot of Vonnegut's later work, most of the stories have what might be conside...more
I like Kurt Vonnegut's short stories. Many of his protagonists are ordinary blue collar workers, middling salesmen, or high school band directors who offer a glimpse into post war middle class Americas. They frequently end up brushing elbows with politicians, entertainers, and the fantastically wealthy, offering Vonnegut's commentary on the American dream. With hard work and a can-do spirit, you too can install storm glass for movie stars.
I think Mr. Helmholtz, a high school band ...more
I think Mr. Helmholtz, a high school band ...more
In my mind, Kurt Vonnegut is the writerly equivalent to an eccentric, sarcastic, but kindly old uncle, the one you can always count on to take the stuffing out of your more puffed-up, less agile-minded relatives at family Christmas parties, while giving you a sly wink. In an important way, he was a voice for America in the 1950s and 60s, both a counterpoint to and a commenter on "mainstream" attitudes. He could do zaniness, anger, sorrow, and gentleness equally well.
This coll...more
This coll...more
This collection, along with Bagombo Snuff Box, collects short stories from Vonnegut’s time writing for the glossies, dailies and slicks. The pieces range from speculative fiction to standard romance fare, each only hinting at the greatness he would achieve as a novelist. He wrote these for money, no doubt about it, and although several spar with some of his Big Stuff, they lack the scathing black humour, wild absurdity and heartbreaking pathos of . . . hmm, well, start at The Sirens of Titan and...more
Although he was better known as a novelist, this collection of his early stories contains much of Vonnegut's his best work. Written between 1950 and 1968 with magazine sales in mind, they provided Vonnegut with money to help tide him over between novels. Ironically, this one volume displays a greater range of imagination than the uniformity of his novels would hint at, and these stories wound up in as varied magazines as Playboy, The Ladies Home Journal and Fantasy and Science Ficion.
...more
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You'd THINK that, what with Vonnegut having written one of my all-time favorite classic sci-fi novels "Sirens of Titan", not to mention "Slaughterhouse Five", you'd think I'd have remembered that he wrote "Harrison Bergeron," one of the great classic sci-fi short stories (it was even in a school textbook of mine) and the second story in this collection. Somehow I never put that together in my head, that it was a Vonnegut story, though I should've; a dystopian more-t...more
Welcome to the Monkey House - Kurt Vonnegut
One foot in front of the other - through leaves, over bridges. 56
A chance is a girl. You smile at her, you be friendly, you be glad she's a girl. ... If men are nice to me and make me happy, I kiss them sometimes. 87
...if folks would swallow their self-respect and pride, there wouldn't be any more divorces. 129
But I can tell you now, darling - it's awfully hard for a woman to admire a man who actually does...more
One foot in front of the other - through leaves, over bridges. 56
A chance is a girl. You smile at her, you be friendly, you be glad she's a girl. ... If men are nice to me and make me happy, I kiss them sometimes. 87
...if folks would swallow their self-respect and pride, there wouldn't be any more divorces. 129
But I can tell you now, darling - it's awfully hard for a woman to admire a man who actually does...more
James Knox-Davies
added it
It's short stories, I'll do 'em one at a time
WHERE I LIVE
Lovely
HARRISON BERGERON
Horrifying and disgusting. I fail to see how this relates to our society, though I do have fun trying to make the metaphor fit.
WHO AM I THIS TIME?
Didn't finish it
WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE
Ugh.
LONG WALK TO FOREVER
If you don't find some pleasure in this story, then give up. Get into Investment Banking or Corporate Law.
...more
WHERE I LIVE
Lovely
HARRISON BERGERON
Horrifying and disgusting. I fail to see how this relates to our society, though I do have fun trying to make the metaphor fit.
WHO AM I THIS TIME?
Didn't finish it
WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE
Ugh.
LONG WALK TO FOREVER
If you don't find some pleasure in this story, then give up. Get into Investment Banking or Corporate Law.
...more
This is a collection of short stories that Vonnegut wrote between 1950 and 1968. The stories range from war-time epics to futuristic social commentaries. In the introduction, Vonnegut explains that these stories helped to keep him financially afloat while he was working on his true aspiration - novels. The stories were published in various magazines and other publications, and were corralled into Welcome to the Monkey House in 1968.
Each story is incredibly unique and forward-thinking...more
Each story is incredibly unique and forward-thinking...more
overall, i enjoyed these stories...save for the last one that seemed like a boorish attempt at fashionable ideology--over-population. who's to decide? hitler?
peter singer? some ethicist building a wave? crapola!
the last story sucks the big one cause the sci-fi element to it is too unbelievable...the ole willing suspension of disbelief takes a hit, big time...and like i said, fashionable ideology...same old bull-tripe you're prone to hear still today..."they said that ...more
peter singer? some ethicist building a wave? crapola!
the last story sucks the big one cause the sci-fi element to it is too unbelievable...the ole willing suspension of disbelief takes a hit, big time...and like i said, fashionable ideology...same old bull-tripe you're prone to hear still today..."they said that ...more
A long remembered book from early college days read before my great awakening at the hands of the Federal Government.
As usual, Vonnegut's humanism comes through in fanciful ways with tragedy and humor. Very helpful to me, along with Slaughterhouse Five, through a barbaric period of my life.
I cannot convey my gratitude to Vonnegut for having written so much on pleasure and light amid the devastation of life.
These stories all had new depth for me as I re-read t...more
As usual, Vonnegut's humanism comes through in fanciful ways with tragedy and humor. Very helpful to me, along with Slaughterhouse Five, through a barbaric period of my life.
I cannot convey my gratitude to Vonnegut for having written so much on pleasure and light amid the devastation of life.
These stories all had new depth for me as I re-read t...more
This book is all short stories.
My favorites so far are: "Who Am I This Time?" (about two socially inept people that fall in love through acting out plays), "The Foster Portfolio" (a guy has a lot of wealth and outwardly abhors jazz b/c his father was a jazz musician and left when he was young but once a week he plays jazz at a club under a pseudonym) and "All the King's Horses" (chess game with people). All the King's Horses would have been more original t...more
My favorites so far are: "Who Am I This Time?" (about two socially inept people that fall in love through acting out plays), "The Foster Portfolio" (a guy has a lot of wealth and outwardly abhors jazz b/c his father was a jazz musician and left when he was young but once a week he plays jazz at a club under a pseudonym) and "All the King's Horses" (chess game with people). All the King's Horses would have been more original t...more
Over the years, I had encountered a few of these short stories before. But I never sat down and went through the entire collection. I enjoyed at least 60% of them and a few seemed a bit like filler. My favorites are when Vonnegut tackles the absurd and really uses his wit to challenge our notions of ourselves. I Found that I enjoyed the title piece, "Welcome to the Monkey House" more this time than in the past. However, somehow "Harrison Bergeron" was less compelling to m...more
Kurt Vonnegut often stated that he considered Mark Twain a saint. He justified this by his belief that Twain "could do no wrong," judging my his literary works.
Well, I considered Kurt Vonnegut a saint. Because, seriously, the man can do no wrong. Welcome to the Monkey House is a collection of short stories from Vonnegut's earlier days. It is amazing to see how much Kurt Vonnegut evolved in time. Most authors do, but Vonnegut did it like no other. In my opinion, the "cl...more
Well, I considered Kurt Vonnegut a saint. Because, seriously, the man can do no wrong. Welcome to the Monkey House is a collection of short stories from Vonnegut's earlier days. It is amazing to see how much Kurt Vonnegut evolved in time. Most authors do, but Vonnegut did it like no other. In my opinion, the "cl...more
Whimsical, fluffy for the most part - I love these short stories that were his bread and butter in the 1950's. The title story makes fun of Grand Rapids, Michigan - hilarious.
The famed Harrison Burgeron predates affirmative action and predicts a tendendency to dumb us all down to the lowest denominator.
There are two standouts in this volume: The Manned Missle is the saddest piece of short fiction I have read to date - Vonnegut really hated war and so do I - two fathers -...more
The famed Harrison Burgeron predates affirmative action and predicts a tendendency to dumb us all down to the lowest denominator.
There are two standouts in this volume: The Manned Missle is the saddest piece of short fiction I have read to date - Vonnegut really hated war and so do I - two fathers -...more
PS: - povestirea cea mai impresionanta (greu cuvantul pentru niste povestiri prin excelenta impresionante si surprinzatoare) e pentru mine, de departe, Toti caii regelui, despre cum e sa ai in maini viata celorlalti si sentimentul de-a fi la moftul cuiva, gandire limpede in tensiune, thriller in toata puterea cuvantului, ca la PROTV.
- mi-a placut in mod deosebit Colectia de primavara-iarna, despre o lume utopica(?) in care oamenii pot invata sa-si paraseasca corpurile, pricina tuturo...more
- mi-a placut in mod deosebit Colectia de primavara-iarna, despre o lume utopica(?) in care oamenii pot invata sa-si paraseasca corpurile, pricina tuturo...more
I read the story "Harrison Bergeron" in high school (who didn't?) and to prove it, I can show you the book. Because I stole this. Sorry, RHS! I blame Nancy. (Actually, I know I read "Welcome to the Monkey House" (the eponymous short story) in Seminar. Because I remember uh wow I can't even remember her name anymore, the English teacher who wasn't Helen -- I remember her talking about all the feminine imagery, like walking through a drainage pipe, and the ocean, and a boa...more
I started reading 'Welcome to the Monkey House' four years ago. I didn't find the first story, "Where I Live" engaging, and I stopped reading. I got on a Vonnegut kick this summer after reading 'God Bless You Mr. Rosewater' and 'Galapagos'. 'Monkey House' just happened to be on the bookshelf, so I read it too.
I wasn't expecting much, but I discovered some gems of Vonnegut's earlier writings. Some of the stories actually had logical plot structures, which can't be said f...more
I wasn't expecting much, but I discovered some gems of Vonnegut's earlier writings. Some of the stories actually had logical plot structures, which can't be said f...more
Like P.G. Wodehouse, Vonnegut locates his characters in unlikely, self contained environments, and, through wryness and the steady accumulation of detail, makes the whole plausible. Often, his narrators are plain speaking, decent, imperfect people confronted with some paradigm changing development, such as the bodiless souls in 'Unready to Wear'. The science fiction stories are uniformly surprising, tender, perspicacious, larded with jokes, and like all of Vonnegut's work distinguished by his un...more
It's a collection of 25 short stories Vonnegut wrote for magazines back in the fifties and sixties. I had read Slaughterhouse Five, and I was expecting more science fiction. There were a few that were actual science fiction, but most of them were love stories. The sci-fi ones dealt with issues like overpopulation and aging and hyperactive PC-ness ala Harrision Bergeron. The other stories often had something to do with soldiers, WWII or the cold war, although not as much as SH5. The love stories ...more
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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 a...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 a...more
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