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Panther, 1975, softcover, 256 pages, condition: new.
In this characteristically witty and bitter-sweet book, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. surveys the contemporary scene swooping from space-exploration and the future horrors of spare-parts surgery to the present absurdities of political life. His inimitable clarity of vision, compassionate humanity and unique style make Wampeters Foma and Granfalloons an indispensable reading experience.
This collection of nonfiction demonstrates amply why so many people fall headlong in love with Vonnegutall aspects of his cranky humanity, his unimpeachable morality, his hard-won cynicism are on show over these twenty-five pieces. The title isnt particularly catchy: readers of will recognise the terms which Vonnegut says represent his dabblings in nonfiction. Not so. Among the brilliance here includes his take on SF as a literary art, his ornery take on the moon landing and a loving portrayal of mystic Madame Blavatsky. The subtitle here is opinions, and fierier pieces include In a Manner That Must Shame God Himself which napalms the Nixon presidency, a provocative piece on Nigeria Biafra: A People Betrayed, and a brief homage to Hunter S. Thompson A Political Disease, where Vonnegut invents Thompsons Disease for those betrayed by their leaders to the point of mental collapse (Thompson cured himself of his disease with a shotgun in 2005. So it goes). The inclusion of several public speeches and throwaway shavings detract from the urgency somewhat, but the Playboy interview ends the collection on a marvellously lucid note. Ah, the days Playboy was a respected literary organ! I hope Nicole Ritchies favourite book is , I really do. A must-read for ALL Vonnegut fans. Thats you!
