Completely Random Book Review - Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut

It has been a while since I wrote down anything book-related, so I figured it was definitely that time again, especially after finishing the masterpiece that is 'Slapstick' by Kurt Vonnegut.

It is about a lanky, Neanderthal-looking man who rises from an obscure and sheltered youth to become the last President of the United States. It is an amazing read, and just one of those books you never want to put down.

There are a few concepts within the book that, as all Vonnegut books do, seem meaningless on the surface, but encompass a much larger issue. This novel dealt with the problems humans have with other humans, namely that we are growing further and further apart, and feeling less connected to each other as time passes and our society evolves.

The main character, Dr. Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain, comes up with a scheme to give everyone an extended family, by changing their middle name to a plant, animal or mineral, and attaching a number to it, up to 20. The main thurst of it is that everyone who has the same middle name is family, akin to a cousin, and everyone with the same name and number would be considered a brother or sister. Eventually it evolves to the point that people congregate based on the middle names, with Indianapolis, for example, becoming what one character calls, a 'Daffodil City'.

It was amazing the scope that this story had, with other elements such as the breakdown of the American society into tiny, feudal-like elements due to a superflu. There is a King of Michigan, and also a Duke of Oklahoma, who the King is at war with. We also find that the superflu was actually caused by microscopic Chinese citizens, who had been shrunken down by their government in order to save space, food, and resources.

The Chinese are very secretive in the book, something we could easily experience in our times as well, and live in a completely closed off society, because their society is so far advanced past ours. I think this is a comment by Vonnegut that the American, or Western societies of the world will eventually fall under the weight of themselves, and we will not be the flag-bearers of the world much longer. I have to agree.

All in all, Slapstick made its way into my novel Hall of Fame, right up there with Slaughterhouse Five, and also Cat's Cradle. If you couldn't tell by my HOF roster, I am a big fan of Vonnegut's work.

Please, if you haven't read this book, visit your nearest Chapter's, Coles, or any other book dispensary near you, because it will change your views on the world. Certainly worked for me.

This is your Red Star Reviewer signing off, hope you enjoy...