“[Kurt Vonnegut’s] best book . . . He dares not only ask the ultimate question about the meaning of life, but to answer it.”—EsquireNominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American ReadThe Sirens of Titan is an outrageous romp through space, time, and morality. The richest, most depraved man on Earth, Malachi Constant, is offered a chance to take a space journey to … Malachi Constant, is offered a chance to take a space journey to distant worlds with a beautiful woman at his side. Of course there’ s a catch to the invitation–and a prophetic vision about the purpose of human life that only Vonnegut has the courage to tell.
“Reading Vonnegut is addictive!”—Commonweal
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I enjoyed this more than expected. Funny but tragic, quite good.
It’s Vonnegut, what can you do? Laugh. Cry. Sigh.
As a teenager I assumed this novel was science fiction; my go-to genre at the time. I was totally not expecting what I encountered, there were the usual science fiction set-pieces yet filled with irony and morality and emotionally engaging situations as you find in the little drama’s of daily life but expanded into interstellar space and a …
I did not like this book; I have never had much luck with Kurt Vonnegut.
Typ Kurt Vonnegut way out there but playing on basic emotions
An oldie, but a goodie. I originally read this in high school – over 45 years ago. Not quite as strong as I recalled, but a fun read.
One imho of Kurt Vonnegut’s finest novels.
Sirens of Titan felt very strongly reminded me of Slaughter House 5. They are clearly different stories, but the absurd, fatalistic, black humor, the Universal Will To Become, time travel games, the Tralfamadorians, and the theme of free choice vs predestination of Sirens reminds me of Slaughter House 5. The story is filled with unlike-able …
This was my first Vonnegut book (and his first also). I’m sure it was full of symbolism and messages, but they went past me. I had difficulty caring about any of the characters. I’m not giving up on him, but will try another so see if his later ones appeal more to me.
As one critic stated, Vonnegut doesn’t just ask, “What’s the meaning of life?” He answers the question in a vibrant, epic science fiction.
In Kurt Vonnegut’s comic science fiction novel The Sirens of Titan, Malachi Constant is the richest man in a futuristic America. His wealth has largely been produced by his father’s fortune and dumb luck. He spends his time pursuing his vices—greed, alcohol abuse, and womanizing. He has a penchant for beautiful women and can’t seem to get enough …