I feel I hardly need to write anything about this, since so many others have, but I’ve been trying to write something for everything I read. Anyway, a great book, as I expected from Vonnegut. I read it right after reading his semi-autobiographical book Timequake.

I felt like this one is fairly autobiographical as well. So many elements that appeared here, appeared in Timequake as a genuine memoir. I know he usually likes to refer to Kilgore Trout as his usual literary alter-ego, but Rabo Karabekian seems to be another. For that matter, at times, Circe Berman seemed that way too.

Anyway, it’s recommended if you like good books.

This is likely Vonnegut’s swan song in literature since he’s probably too old to write another “great” work. He was very powerful in his recent set of essays… but that’s another entry.

In Bluebeard Vonnegut again fleshes out one of his stock characters – this time Rabo Karabekian in old age. In doing so he tells us something we might not have known about modern art – that some of those folks – including fictional Rabo – really could draw and paint. He also sheds light on why they chose not to.

This ranks with the best of Vonnegut. And it has – if such a thing exists in a Vonnegut book – a happy ending!

Strangely hopeful for Vonnegut. Worth my while.

Vonnegut as usual.