I hated these people for much of the book, though I feel bad for that now. Ridiculous in their idealism. Tried to establish principles to live by, and broke other principles in establishing those. Also incorporated convenient traditional and Christian principles to support the ones they already wanted to follow. Then they broke those when convenient, often without noticing (but with me noticing, margin-scrawling in crumbling pencil).

Also this story was about romantic love, and I only like that when it's a simple story about two youngsters meeting, not when it's all about being in love with being in love. So there's my bias.

Also this story was about a romantic notion of beauty, and I dislike beauty b/c I'm jealous of everyone else who understands it. So there's my gigantic bias number two.

The writer is self-satisfied with having been C. S. Lewis's "friend", when his letters show a relationship more like professor-student, with a student who "got" some things. Good for him, but seems to flaunt it.

The author spends his life running away from what he could be doing, saying that he is living life to its fullest by being free to do as he wishes and when, and experiencing the beauty of nature and his mate and God. That might be an acceptable way to live for him, although I'm certain it is a bad way for some people, but he wrongly implies it is better for everyone.

Having said all that.

I did see some beauty, as I stayed as open to it as I can be (which was not very). And I liked some of what I saw through him. And I saw the value of the emotions that come from the beauty, and how they might be connected. Any book the teaches me or opens me up gets at least three stars, no matter how much I'd like to be a judgmental ass and give it one or two.

But seriously, if you're interested in how Vonnegut's duprass would look in the real world, and you want to understand free spirits, and you want to see beauty and love, this book is rich in all of that.

Also, the author rewards you for paying attention to his words, which he highly values, by repeating certain themes, and I give props for some writing talent. And he looks into himself a bit, and explains why he acts certain ways, which also entertained me.