Ryan Scott
December 12th, 2011, 07:15 AM
This is a prime example of Vonnegut's later work, written as he approached 60 years of age, it captures a broader range of vision, whilst maintaining the glory and uniqueness that is quintisential Vonnegut. Galapagos is his prima ode to humanism - the story of the evolution of humanity and particularly the event which changed the course of said evolution. It takes place over the course of a million years and is narrated by the ghost of a decapitated shipbuilder. The prose is amazing, the vision is full-formed, and the subject, one pipular to Vonnegut's work has finally matured in a way that both enhances the value of his early work and yet takes the work to a new level - one might say it is Vonnegut evolved.
The final words capture not only the book, Vonnegut's understanding of humanity, but perhaps his understanding of his own life as well - "You'll learn, you'll learn."
This is probably my favorite of his books, although I'll be re-reading Bluebeard next, which holds a fond place in my memory as well.
The final words capture not only the book, Vonnegut's understanding of humanity, but perhaps his understanding of his own life as well - "You'll learn, you'll learn."
This is probably my favorite of his books, although I'll be re-reading Bluebeard next, which holds a fond place in my memory as well.