Book #19: Welcome to the Monkey House

Nineteenth book I read since May 2008:

Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut

A friend lent this one to me, stating that she thought Vonnegut's short fiction was more accessible than his novels. She also thought it would be easier to read short stories on the train.

She was right on both counts.

My only worry going in was that the shorter fiction might lose some of the poignancy and Vonnegut-ness woven into the longer fiction. Well, I'm happy to say that his short stories are just as interesting and semi-zany as any of his novels I've read.

He has a wonderful way of twisting the future just slightly and figuring out how human cultural and biological wants/needs/flaws would express themselves in such a world. Would the world's only telekinetic decide to rule the world or alter it for the common good? What are the family dynamics when nearly ever-lasting life is guaranteed? How would our society react if people no longer needed their bodies? And the overarching question of whether or not a longer life is worthwhile.

But wait -- there's more! He also explores romantic relations between political enemies, race relations, how dogs might actually be ruling the world, and what we might need to sacrifice to motivate apathetic youth.

As you would expect with Vonnegut, it's all done with characteristic flair and small twists. His prose is spare, though at some points frankly confounding. But a very easy read, with interesting windows into everything from the human soul to the post-Camelot Martha's Vineyard.

Highly recommended.

- Scott