Which Vonnegut novel has the most Trout in it?
December 11, 2010 5:18 AM Subscribe
VonnegutFilter: Which Kurt Vonnegut novel is the Kilgore Troutiest?
My dad is playing Kilgore Trout in a local production of "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" and I'd like to supply him with a little background reading while he preps for the role. I'd say he's an average Vonnegut fan (meaning he has certainly read "Slaughterhouse Five" and probably "Breakfast of Champions") but anything suggestions are welcome.
My dad is playing Kilgore Trout in a local production of "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" and I'd like to supply him with a little background reading while he preps for the role. I'd say he's an average Vonnegut fan (meaning he has certainly read "Slaughterhouse Five" and probably "Breakfast of Champions") but anything suggestions are welcome.
Yes, I think BoC and SH5 are your best bet. Two other books that might be useful are Timequake and Galapagos (spoiler: narrated by Trout's son).
posted by gerryblog at 5:42 AM on December 11, 2010
posted by gerryblog at 5:42 AM on December 11, 2010
DarkForest and gerryblog have mentioned the main ones. The only one I can think of besides those is Jailbird.
posted by Kattullus at 6:10 AM on December 11, 2010
posted by Kattullus at 6:10 AM on December 11, 2010
Why not get him a copy of Venus on the Half-Shell?
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:14 AM on December 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:14 AM on December 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure how much reading he's interested in doing, but you could suggest things by or about Theodore Sturgeon--his short fiction is very good, and might provide some background and insight.
posted by pullayup at 7:36 AM on December 11, 2010
posted by pullayup at 7:36 AM on December 11, 2010
Seconding Theodore Sturgeon, who was the inspiration for Kilgore Trout (though the character is more representative of golden age pulp SF writers in general, and Vonnegut himself in particular), and was all-around awesome--very much an exception to that law of his.
To actually answer the question, though... *ahem*
I'd most recommend Galápagos for the purpose, since it sheds a lot of light into the character's inner workings. (That said, I generally wouldn't recommend it otherwise, as it's not exactly Vonnegut's best work IMO.)
posted by Sys Rq at 8:02 AM on December 11, 2010
To actually answer the question, though... *ahem*
I'd most recommend Galápagos for the purpose, since it sheds a lot of light into the character's inner workings. (That said, I generally wouldn't recommend it otherwise, as it's not exactly Vonnegut's best work IMO.)
posted by Sys Rq at 8:02 AM on December 11, 2010
If you're interested in Kilgore Trout, I might recommend Venus on the Half-Shell.
posted by Slinga at 8:30 AM on December 11, 2010
posted by Slinga at 8:30 AM on December 11, 2010
Why Venus on the Half-Shell? Vonnegut had nothing to do with it.
posted by empath at 11:04 AM on December 12, 2010
posted by empath at 11:04 AM on December 12, 2010
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posted by DarkForest at 5:29 AM on December 11, 2010 [2 favorites]