Jonathan Arnold reviewed Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
Review of 'Mother Night' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This relatively straight forward and relatively serious novel tells the story of a Nazi propagandist awaiting trial in Israel for crimes against humanity. But he says he is an American spy, passing along coded messages in his virulent broadcasts. He tells his story with emotion and detachment even. He tries to figure out if he can separate out his words from his true feelings and did the hateful things he said, in the end, destroy his soul?
A very interesting book, more "normal" than other Vonnegut books I have read. Howard W Campbell Jr is a complex character, trying to come to grips with what he said and what he did. A fairly short book, despite its nearly 300 page official length, as there is plenty of white space and short chapters. But definitely a page turner, with some profound thoughts on love, estrangement and self delusion. I really enjoyed …
This relatively straight forward and relatively serious novel tells the story of a Nazi propagandist awaiting trial in Israel for crimes against humanity. But he says he is an American spy, passing along coded messages in his virulent broadcasts. He tells his story with emotion and detachment even. He tries to figure out if he can separate out his words from his true feelings and did the hateful things he said, in the end, destroy his soul?
A very interesting book, more "normal" than other Vonnegut books I have read. Howard W Campbell Jr is a complex character, trying to come to grips with what he said and what he did. A fairly short book, despite its nearly 300 page official length, as there is plenty of white space and short chapters. But definitely a page turner, with some profound thoughts on love, estrangement and self delusion. I really enjoyed it.