So It Goes
Kurt Vonnegut's Breakfast Of Champions was one of two books (the other was Portnoy's Complaint) that broke open the possibilities of literature for me when I was a teenager. One of the first good pieces of writing I ever did was a retelling of The Three Little Pigs in the style of Vonnegut. I had good English teachers in high school. I hope that someday I can pass my love for his books down to Elijah. He seems to be developing into someone who might dig Vonnegut.
The only time I saw Vonnegut speak in person was in 1988 at Northwestern University. He disappointed me a little bit when he told students they should watch L.A. Law instead of read contemporary literature, though in retrospect that's one of the coolest things I've ever heard an author say. In any case, I'm so sorry he had to die during such a distressing time in his home country, but he put up some noble dissent in his last years. I mourn him today along with everyone else.
Notes on a lesser but still enjoyable literary career:
I'm going to be at a reception tonight at the Egyptian Theater to kick off the Los Angeles Noir film festival. I, along with many other writers, will be signing the terrific Akashic Books crime anthology L.A. Noir, to which I contributed a story. You can buy the book here.
Friday night, I'll be reading along with many others at Vroman's in Pasadena.
And on Saturday morning at The House Of Blues on Sunset, I'll be introducing The Sippy Cups.
You can't say I lack range.
Kurt Vonnegut, RIP.
Comments
I can't believe we've lost Vonnegut. The world is a lesser place for his loss.
Posted by: Simon Smithson | April 12, 2007 6:40 AM
Hey, we'll be there! (If I'm not stuck at home waiting for a delivery.) But I have intention.
Posted by: shauna | April 12, 2007 12:42 PM
I also used Vonnegut's works as a stepping stone in high school (esp. Player Piano, Cat's Cradle, & Slaughterhouse Five).
I wonder if he'll be buried with a fragment of Ice 9 in his coffin. At sea.
Posted by: PhillyD | April 12, 2007 1:35 PM
My father introduced me to Vonnegut when I was 14 with Welcome to the Monkeyhouse and Siren's of Titan. That same year I found a huge volume containing five of his books. I spent the summer reading them to my kid sister who was 10. I wish to someday give these books to my sons. I don't know if I'll wrap them along with a copy of Frank Herbert's Dune like my dad did.
I only found out today as it was mentioned in passing on npr. I cried
Posted by: Ashley | April 13, 2007 4:03 PM