One of the giants of 20th century literature died week...Kurt Vonnegut was 84 when he died from complications from a fall at his home.
He was one of a kind, with a folksy, whimsical way of writing that seemed so simple and yet all writers recognize the genius necessary to make that work. It's like Picasso, you have to strip away all the pretenses and structures to get to the heart of the art, that's what Vonnegut did.
It's sad to lose him, although he did live to be 84 which is not too shabby.
The good thing is his work will live on forever. Slaughterhouse Five is one of the greatest anti-war books ever written. I particularly liked the more free form, sci-fi infused Cat's Cradle, the Sirens of Titan, and Breakfast of Champions.
There are many great writers out there but so few with distinctive styles. Like B.B. King playing the blues or Charlie Parker on sax, Vonnegut had his own voice and when you read a few lines you knew it was him, and you knew he would take you on a great adventure.
Sylvania, Ohio, April 14, 2007