AUTHOR OF THE DAY:
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut was born on November 11, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was known for his voice and unique presentation as a satirical author. He intertwined elements of science-fiction and black comedy, which instantly hold the reader by their throat and compels them. There was nothing subtle or mediocre about Vonnegut’s style.
Vonnegut first demonstrated his edgy, satirical literature when he published his first novel, Player Piano, which challenged the corporate culture. The novels that followed contained war, as its recurring theme, which he drew from personal experience when he served in World War II. Slaughterhouse-Five, the novel that made Vonnegut a millionaire, especially drew from his war experience. Billy Pilgrim, the narrator is a young soldier who is kidnapped by Tralfamadorians, an alien race. This unusual combination of the exploration of the human condition contrasted with a fictional breed of curiosity gave Vonnegut his spot as a literary great.
Part of his genius was attributed to his writing style. The satirical nature of his work provided an undeniable fire, but his use of little punctuation, long sentences, and strong political views established Vonnegut as a literary icon. He was a self-proclaimed humanist and socialist. His skepticism and free thinking gave him creative power to compose the picture of war in the most imaginative realm.
During his later years, Vonnegut spent his time working on nonfiction. His last book, A Man Without a Country, expressed his progressive views on politics, art and his life. Although Vonnegut struggled with several demons in his lifetime, including depression, he developed a strong following and a permanent place in literature. He was one of the most influential American authors of the 20th century. Kurt Vonnegut died on April 11, 2007 after a head injury from a fall at his home in New York weeks earlier.
NOTABLE WORKS
- The Sirens of Titan (1959)
- Cat’s Cradle (1963)
- Slaughterhouse-Five (1969)
- Breakfast of Champions (1973)
- Timequake (1997)
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