From the backcover: "One of the best living American writers", Graham Greene
"A brilliant wacky ideas-monger", Observer
"A cool writer, at once throwaway and passionate and very funny", Financial Times

This was my first book by Kurt Vonnegut and it will certainly not be the last one. It is written as a diary of an American who grew up and married in Germany in pre WWII and who went through war trying not to get involved, but ending up as a double agent. The story is not about espionnage though. Instead, it is about human conscience and it is a very well written one.
Reserved to be sent to kizmiaz, as soon as I get the address.

On its way to kizmiaz as a RABCK - enjoy!

thank you very much for your generosity Pequete.
I love Vonnegut!

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be"
This is one of the morale of this great story and what a relevant one it is.
Vonnegut once again reaches a new level of writting with this short novel. Great characters and a very good plot make for most of the book and treat the reader with so much food for thought in this early 21st century.
I love books that make me think beyond the story that is written and Vonnegut seems to have a knack to write exactly these sort of stories, so this was a delightful time I had while reading the book.
I recommend Vonnegut to everyone and this book is a good one to start.

RABCK - Jesus era capricórnio

Arrived today, safe and sound.
Thanks for sharing.

I've finished reading a similar story "When the doves disappeared", by Sofi Oksanen, with a considerably different ending.
Propaganda is more and more active, both in social media and TV. But the world will always be divided between those who resist the truth and those who will die for it. And then again, where's the truth?
This book will now be sent to 4evagreen, after the wish list tag game.
Sorry for the delay.
Enjoy

Arrived safely. Many thanks for sharing I look forward to reading it.

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."

Vonnegut's aim appears to be to portray the battle of personal identity, the difference between how we see ourselves and how the outside world sees us, as well as taking personal responsibility for our actions. However, employing his customary over the top and at times hilarious satire, he also attacks American racial and religious extremists, many of whom unfortunately still seem to present today. Vonnegut doesn't try to condone the Nazis or their actions, insteads he condemns extremism in ALL it's many forms.

"There are plenty of good reasons for fighting, but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too. Where's evil? It's that large part of every man that wants to hate without limit, that wants to hate with God on his side."

Going out as part of a Reading it/Want it thread. Enjoy!

Arrived in the post this morning.
Thank you.

Enjoyable tragi-comedy about an American Nazi with good intentions.

Going into the Already Crossed bookbox.

Arrived on the return of the Already Crossed bookbox. Another well travelled book registered a while ago.

I am sure I read this book around 40 years ago but I may well re-read beore sending it out again as I am certain I do not recall details of this.