Mr. Vonnegut, We Hardly Knew Ye

I first became familiar with Kurt Vonnegut in high school, where I wrote an extensive in depth research paper on his work (as preparation, I read literally every one of his books published up to that point). I have only recently realized how profoundly Mr. Vonnegut and his work have influenced my life. Without any sort of conscious plan, some of his favorite authors have become mine (Mark Twain, Louis-Ferdinand Celine); some of his favorite books have become mine (Journey to the End of the Night - but not Huck Finn). For a long time, his philosophical and religious views became mine - and some still remain. I only discovered any of this recently, while reading one of his autobiographies titled, Palm Sunday. Now I know that this exceptional man has been a mentor and friend to me for over 20 years. And it all started with Slaughterhouse Five. Mr. Vonnegut, we miss you.

Here are some of the points from Palm Sunday I found most intriguing (paraphrased):

Writers are always awkward in the world.

The best solution for our modern society is tribal togetherness.

Cinderella is the Christian Creation Story revised.