The Sirens of Titan (1959)

http://speculiction.blogspot.com/2021/04/review-of-sirens-of-titan-by-kurt.html ( )

Malachi Constant is told that it is inevitable that he will travel from Earth to Mars to Mercury, back to Earth and then to Titan. Despite his best efforts to avoid this prophecy it does come true.

The first chapter had some funny scenes, but although I could see that the rest of it was meant to be funny, it just didn't tickle my funny-bone. ( )

This book is brilliant in that subtle way that great writers can expertly manage to pull off, whether they were consciously seeking to or not. It is an easy read while simultaneously grappling with concepts like free-will and the human desire to seek purpose. This book just cradles so many ideas, and does so in such a delicately interconnected way that is so impressive i think i'll read it again and again when i have the time. I'm sure that it will shed new light with each new reading.

Vonnegut's irk with organized religion is pretty apparent. He doesn't make any insult or find it irrelevant per se, but Rumfoord appears to be a caricature of the enterprising evangelist. Unk's/Rumfoord's life might almost appear to be a christ-like sacrifice, with their appearing to have no choice in changing the course of their future.

I think what strikes me most about this book is that for all its quiet and colorful abstractions through the medium of science fiction, Vonnegut manages to appeal to a very human sensibility that he recognizes and states in the book. That "it is the contrast that they love". The ending is simple. The answer to the question of the human purpose is simple. And ironically so after the massive nature of the variables included in the book, where we're dealing with unimaginably insane timelines and events. In the end, the answer brings us back from this science fiction to our very humanity and to the world that we live in. ( )

Some nice moments, but on the whole kind of tedious -- heavier on wacky plot and machinations than I usually go for. ( )

Not exactly sure where I should put this book but as the other books from them same author it was a pure joy to read.

Fascinating timeless story about the eternal struggle of humanity. ( )