Galapagos: A Novel (Delta Fiction)

I've not read this yet, but I intend to, soon, I'm reading books about the world after an apocalypse, and this one counts. I grew up next to Ted Sturgeon, scifi writer extraordinaire, and I never knew if he met Kurt or not. He used to come over our house at all hours to borrow pipe tobacco and our thesaurus. I haven't read any Vonnegut in years, but this one is now on my short list.

You know what my big brain told me to do? It told me to read all the Vonnegut I could get my hands on, and my big brain finally got something right. More social commentary from the master of fiction with a message, Galapagos tells the story of the last band of humans and how they evolve, absent technology. What's the cause of all human misery? An oversized brain, which brings up the book's tagline - My Big Brain Told Me To . . . What would humans be like without this oversized brain? What would the earth be like without a species with an oversized brain? These are the questions Vonnegut explores in depth. As usual, Vonnegut's narrator is a master satirist with a rambling tone who seems to be going in wrong directions, but ties all threads together brilliantly. In this book, the narrator is the son of Kilgore Trout, a frequently recurring character in Vonnegut novels. I don't think it's the best Vonnegut novel which makes it merely fantastic. - CV Rick

I have read most of Vonnegut's work, and this is one of the funniest. I was surprised to find so many of his fans are turned off by this one. I think I know why: it is perhaps his bleakest view of human potential, and of course we don't want to believe we are capable of heinous acts. I think it is hard for people to recognize and acknowledge that civilization is a rather thin veil on our animal natures, even when many recent events show it to be true. On the other hand, any cautionary tale (most of KV's are just that) has to include great loss and simultaneously hold out the possibility for redemption. The loss in this case (all of humanity and any hope for intelligent life on Earth) is huge, and the redemption slim. I think the redemption offered to the few kind characters in the book is satisfactory. Here is the thing I think Vonnegut would have us consider: our actions may seem insignificant, but "compound interest" on your small acts of kindness or cruelty will be multiplied. If you don't like the outcome, change your behavior in subtle but important ways. Work for a better world, not just for yourself but for all generations to come. Be mindful of this now, before you too are old and maybe regret you no longer had the years to make that difference you'd hoped.

I've now read every Vonnegut novel with the exception of Hocus Pocus and Timequake, which I will read soon enough. Galapagos ranks in the top five, along with Player Piano, Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, and Slaughterhouse-5. Reading his works in chronological order, I found that Vonnegut was at his absolute best when writing a science-fiction type novel with a clear message/moral. While I certainly enjoyed his realistic works, such as Mother Night and Deadeye Dick, I find the others to be slightly more entertaining and fun to read. That does not necessarily mean they are better novels, I just personally enjoy them more. Galapagos is a very interesting read that is narrated by a ghost who has been inhabiting Earth for over a million years. During this time, he witnesses the evolution of human beings from having big brains to having simpler and less complicated lives. The story focuses on 1986 and the years that follow as the last human beings on Earth are living on the Galapagos Islands and adapting to this new environment. Overall, a wonderful read. If you've never read Vonnegut before, this isnt a bad novel to start off with.

GALAPAGOS is a profoundly moving and funny novel set in the reckless times of Ronald Reagan, when America itself seemed to be deevolving. Vonnegut also gives us one of his most succint and hilarious observations on humanity: that no matter how many ages we pass, we will still think farts are hilarious. Highly recommended.

Vonnegut is an author that really grows on me. Galapagos is the latest novel that I've read, and (like the rest of his) immediately becomes my favorite.The premise of the book is that humanity is going to make an enormous change of genetic course due in part to it's own stupidity. The onion is peeled, and the story reveals more about the problems in humanity while following the story of the future common parents of mankind.The book maintains several consistencies with Vonnegut's other works:- A witty style that covers sharp criticism. (Like they've said of Twain, "They'd hang him if they thought he was serious")- A satire that's sometimes obvious, but sometimes hiding behind the story.- Cameos by characters from his other books.- A solid criticism of modern societyu