Inside One Of America’s Most Brilliant Minds

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?

Luckily for Michael and I, The AV Club stopped at 15. There are so many more than 15 concise Kurt gems. Kurt Vonneguys has all kinds of fun segments, and our "Kurt Blurt" segment will celebrate his best quotes, lines, and turns of phrase, book by book.

Also, that AV Club piece's angle of "these great quotes indicate the author's greatness" is a nice attempt to sell Vonnegut to the uninitiated. We think Kurt Vonneguys can be that too. If you've never read him at all, give him a shot. Reading him along with Michael and I can make it even more fun.

And this show's about so many authors beyond Vonnegut. Our "Related Reading" segment flies through a pile of good writing that each Kurt book reminds us of. So far, they've been packed with Harlan Ellison and Ray Bradbury and Albert Camus and more. Listen for why!

Also, remember that "book club" concept I said we're going after? Talk to us about Vonnegut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We'll talk back. We'll make a club of it!

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And unlike most book clubs, you don't even need pants to participate!

And not to act like making Kurt Vonneguys is A GRAND ACT OF CHARITY, but most every podcast I've ever liked has made me feel less lonely. Maybe this one can chip in on that cause. Check it out. Let us know!