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Summary: One of those books...
Review: Mother Night is one of those books I pick up during idle time. It's one of those books that calls to be read multiple times. It reads much smoother than Slaughterhouse, which is perhaps why I am more drawn to it. For those who have yet to pick up a Vonnegut book, I would recommend Mother Night as the first to be read. I feel this way because it is, as far as I'm concerned, Vonnegut's "easiest read." (After Mother Night, I would recommend Galapagos as the next to be read on the way to Slaughterhouse. Vonnegut declared Galapagos his best novel I might add)
My copy of Mother Night is filled with doggy ears marking witty, vivid, and droll language used by Vonnegut. I find myself peeking into my copy when I need a laugh or two.
In conclusion, I might say that if I were forced to choose one book to read for an eternity, Mother Night would not be it. But if I were allowed 5 books, it would easily make the cut.
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Summary: Mother Night: A Though-Provoking Look at Ethics and Morality
Review: Kurt Vonnegut's novels are famous for their commentary on society, and their examination of morality, and ethics. Mother Night is no different; placing the reader into the mind of an ex-playwright turned propagandist, and a former nazi.
The story is told from the point of view of Howard W. Campbell Jr., now living in seclusion in 1960 Manhattan. Campbell lived in Germany during WWII and is approached by an undercover American spy, who instructs Campbell to infiltrate the Nazis, and act as a propagandist. He is told that his broadcasts will provide the US with intelligence, depending on his enunciation, and the nuances in the speech. Campbell does as he is told, and when WWII ends, his contact disappears and he is wanted for war crimes. He flees from authorities and hides in America.
Throughout the novel, Campbell seems to be the only character who feels remorse for his actions, although he did nothing wrong. Campbell's deep-seated feelings of remorse and guilt despite his innocence increase as the novel progresses, and when his innocence is finally proved, he makes a surprising choice.
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Summary: One of the Best Books Ever Written
Review: Vonnegut is a genius, and whether you are a fan of his or not, you will love this book. The introduction is perfect, as Vonnegut tells us the moral of the story before we even get started. "You are what you pretend to be, so you better be careful about what you pretend to be." The novel follows Howard W. Campbell, an American living in Germany, recruited by the governement to spy on the Nazis by propaganding for their war. Campbell is now about to be put on trial for his war crimes.
Like I said, Vonnegut is a genius, and Howard Campbell is one of the most complex and amazing characters ever created, even though this book is short of 300 pages. At some points in the book, you think he's a smart man that you respect and feel sorry for, while at other times you want to just punch him in the face. This is not a war novel. It is a book written as though Howard Campbell was talking directly to you, which is what makes it such a fascinating read. If you like any Vonnegut, or are a fan of satires like Catch-22, or you enjoy books relating to the subject of war or the human spirit, this book is perfect for you. It is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. I can only hope the same for you.
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Summary: You can't escape from what you've done
Review: Darkly humorous, Vonnegut's Howard Campbell, Jr. ultimately can't escape from his own conscience. We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be--(yeah yeah, I know, everyone's been using that quote)--and finally we see that what matters isn't what we believe but what we do. Campbell deprives himself of self in order to deal with his conscience--claiming to no longer feel guilt, happiness, anger, or anything at all. What's Campbell's crime? His crime is essentially the same crime many people commit every day -- doing "bad" for the sake of doing "good." Only it wasn't until after the good was done did he realize how very ably he committed the bad; and it's the bad that he can't get rid of. Actions create thoughts in spectators; only the thoughts sometimes aren't what the actor wants/believes. It's a slippery slope when you become a messiah for something you don't believe in. Good book.
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Summary: Everything one would want.
Review: This is not a classic KV book in the sense that there is no science fiction element, but everything else one has come to expect from KV can be found. Even in such a serious book Vonnegut finds a way to add his dark humor without disrespecting his message. And as usual Vonnegut offers an original perspective on a topic that is commonly used. Any Vonnegut lover should make sure that this book gets entered into their library. This may not be Vonnegut's best (my opinion it is Cats Cradle) but it is still an incredible read. My only problem is the same problem with most of his books; they are too short. It always feels like he has so much else to say, but I guess we cannot get greedy. This is a book for everybody.
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Summary: Classic Vonnegut
Review: Although I must maintain that this is not Kurt Vonnegut's best book, it is a very good and certainly enjoyable one, with a biting moral to boot. It also marked a departure for Vonnegut from the science fiction mold that he cast his first two books in. This is also the first time that he dealt with what was perhaps the central experience of his life in his fiction (his experiences in World War II.) The premise of the book is this: a man purporting to be a Nazi radio propagander is actually an American spy. However, after the war is over, the American government refuses to admit that he worked for them, and he is charged as a war criminal. This begs the question: which one was he, really? This is a central question to keep in mind throughout the book, and the ending is startling. It also raises one of Vonnegut's best questions: We are who we pretend to be, so we better be darn careful who we pretend to be.
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Summary: Mother Night - Exceptionally Meaningful
Review: Wow....I just finished Mother Night yesterday. It was very interesting and well written, as Vonnegut's novels seem to be. It was a departure from his usual crazy sci-fi. That does not mean it was bad, however. It was a great book because it had some great depth and philosophical things to say. It was such a page-turner that it only took me one day to read! And I usually don't like to read! Anyway, I give the book 6 stars, and this book is just another example of Vonnegut's genius in writing.
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Summary: Quite possibly the greatest novel I've ever read....
Review: Mother Night is almost insanely profound, and equally insanely easy to read. Never before have I read a book so packed with material for thought in such an easy to digest package...imagine eating cotton candy and getting the same satisfaction (and nutritional content!) as you would had you eaten a five-course meal. I just finished re-reading it, and am still somewhat in awe. The harried musings of a man who obviously has seen much, and is disappointed in what he sees, but with a shrug of the shoulders. This book made me stop to ponder until it hurt, and supplied me with my new favorite quote..."It's a hard world to be ludicrous in." You can read this easily in one sitting, and puzzle over it for a lifetime.
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Summary: A New Perspective On Nazi Germany
Review: This book is fantastic. The plot itself is worth the price of the book but the ending will throw you for a loop, I know it did for me. The book is a very quick read and doesn't really have alot of historical facts or detailed descriptions. This book is no different than any other Vonnegut book in that its very ambiguos. We never find out why the Nazi's decided to give Campbell his own show or why the OSS decided to use Campbell as a spy. Despite this the book is a very fun read. Its funny and often hilarious (especially when describing aging racists in America). I would reccomend this book to any reader of any age. Its, quite simply, a good story.
Rating:
Summary: One of Vonnegut's best
Review: As an avid Vonnegut fan, I love this book, and place it in my personal KV top five! This earlier book is full of philosophy and borders on the sentimental--a little different from his other books--but it still smacks of his characteristic satire. While it is stylistically similar to Slaughterhouse Five, I also noticed some parallels to Camus's The Stranger (what can happen when a person gives up his/her responsibility for life and allows external forces to control his/her destiny.) All this in an entertaining, fast read...WOW!
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