It's the third Kurt Vonnegut novel (published in 1961), so it's the subject of the upcoming third episode of Kurt Vonneguys, because we're working chronologically. That's also why the first two episodes tackle Player Piano (1952) and The Sirens Of Titan (1959).
I did not write out this Mother Night-based list idea. Why? Because I came up short on points. It's only got two of them. The first point: If you read Mother Night, you can join our book club. Kurt Vonneguys is a podcast, a book club, and a comedy show all at once. It's also a mini-history of Kurt Vonnegut, because we're working his life and letters and background into it throughout. And it's a podcast concept Michael and I wished we could listen to, so we went and made it exist ourselves. Anyway, for book club purposes, be aware: Mother Night is on deck.
Don't worry, that's not an "assignment." You're busy and stuff. Kurt Vonneguys is built for everybody. With each episode:
-- If you've read the book, you'll join in on a deep dive into the book's awesomeness.
-- If you've haven't read the book, the show's a perfect way to experience the book in a fun, fast format.
And since very few Kurt fans have read Player Piano, while almost all Vonnegroupies have read Sirens Of Titan, you'll likely get both experiences right off the bat. Start having those experiences!
Here's this non-list's second point: [a tiring screed about why Mother Night's themes matter right now]. But the book should tell you that on its own. Its first line lays out the moral of the story. Its story says more about guys from Mussolini to Nu-Mussolini than almost anything ever has. And if that story can't hook your interest, how's a listicle-lobbing pipsqueak like me gonna do it?
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