Re: Another Salinger out there?
Josh Feldmeth (sportcarrier@earthlink.net)
Tue, 15 Jul 1997 15:39:53 -0700
sisoeren@online.no wrote:
>
> Jim,
> may I suggest:
> "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving
>
> - Sigmund
Jim, I have advocated "APFOM" several times on this list. That's as far as I've gone
with Irving so I can't recommend his as parallel to JDS.
Since you like Salinger, you will probably also enjoy Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I rarely hear is
name on the list so I am left to assume I'm his biggest fan in these parts - thats fine
by me.
Although their themes, personal background and contexts usually differ, their
similarities are many:
- They both excell in humor. I laugh outloud with both, more with Vonnegut.
- Their well heeled and educated characters are often "real world" failures.
- Both have serial aspects to their stoires: many characters (e.g. Seymour,
Kigore Trout) figure directly and indirectly in more than one story.
- Niether author shys away from exposing the grotty side of things, as evidenced
in their splendid use of profanity and numerous appearances on bible belt book
burning lists.
- Both are easy reads
- Both are decidedly troubling yet inspiring.
Misconceptions:
- Vonnegut is not a "Sci-Fi" writter. His first three novels "Sirans of Titans"
"Player Piano" and I can't remember the third had scientific inclings. That was more an
outcropping of Vonnegut's academic and family backgrounds (engineering major Cornell and
Indianapolis Architects). As his writting progressed, Vonnegut picked up the requisite
arrows for a full and dangerous quiver.
For me, Vonnegut tends to be dreamier, where as Salinger might go deeper. I recommend
"Bluebeard", "The Cats Cradle" and "Slapstick" for starters. Skip "Slaughter House
Five"; someone will no doubt assign that one.
Read something and let me know what you think.
All Good Things,
Josh