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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780385334235
ISBN number: 0385334230
Label: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Manufacturer: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 288
Printing Date: May 11, 1999
Publishing house: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Release Date: May 11, 1999
Sale Popularity Level: 24688
Studio: Dial Press Trade Paperback
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Slapstick presents an apocalyptic vision seen through the eyes of the current King of Manhattan (and last President of the United States), a wickedly irreverent look at the all-too-possible results of today’s follies. But even the end of life-as-we-know-it is transformed by Vonnegut’s pen into hilarious farce (a final slapstick that may be the Almighty’s joke on us all.)
“Vonnegut’s ongoing puppet show…that fabulous is reborn.”—John Updike
“Both funny and sad…just about perfect!”—Los Angeles Times
“Imaginative and hilarious…a brilliant vision of our wrecked, wacked-out future.”—Hartford Courant
*The New York Times
Amazon.com Review:
Dr. Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain, centenarian, the last President of the United States, King of Manhattan, and one-half (along with his sister, Eliza) of the most powerful intelligence since Einstein, is penning his autobiography. He occupies the very first floor of a ruined Empire State Building and lives like a royal scavenger with his illiterate granddaughter and her beau. Buffeted by fluctuating gravity, the U.S. has been scourged by not one, but two lethal diseases: the Green Death and the Albanian Flu. Consequently, the country has fallen into civil war. (Super-intelligent, miniaturized Chinese watch the West self-destruct from the sidelines.) Swain stayed at the White House until there were no citizens left to govern, then moved to deserted New York City, where he writes a thoughtful missive before death.
In Slapstick, Vonnegut muses on war, man's hubris, and the awful, crippling loneliness humans are freighted with--but, miraculously, the book still manages to delight and amuse. Absurd, knowing, never depressing, Slapstick kindles hope--for the possibility of wisdom, perhaps; for human resiliency, surely.
It's best to end with a quote from the prologue wherein the author discourses on The Meaning of It All, or at least This Book: 'Love is where you find it. I think it is foolish to go off looking for it, and I think it can often be poisonous.
I wish that people who are conventionally supposed to love each other would say to each other, when they fight, 'Please--a little less love, and a little more common decency.''
Amen.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I didn't know what to expect because this was my very very first time reading Kurt Vonnegut's work. I hated it. It seemed silly, pointless, and strange. I couldn't deal with it. I don't ever want to read Kurt Vonnegut ever again. It's not awful. It was a shock. I've never read anything like it before, and it doesn't gently ease you into it.
If you do read it, know that it's extremely quirky. If that's your style, go for it.
Rated by buyers 
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Slapstick is a novel that can be misread on so many levels. Having read many of Vonnegut's works, it is obvious that he recycle themes, and even characters. However, the point that he is trying to ram home never diminishes. Unlike many post apocalyptic novels, this one is light-hearted, and the world does not seem much worse off than it was before. That is the real crux of this piece, that it is not the conditions of the society around us that determines happiness, but rather the value and condition of the PEOPLE we surround ourselves with. One reads Slapstick with the feeling that all Mr. Vonnegut was trying to get us to see is that we should "all treat each other with a little common decency".
The novel is set up as a memoir of the last president of the United States, and the voice of the persona is full of drool humour and classic Vonnegut dry wit. The nonfiction prologue at the being of the text also adds a whole new dimension to the piece, which I won't discuss here. I recommend reading the prologue after having read the novel. It might change the way you view the entire work.
Rated by buyers 
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This is the very first Vonnegut book that I read. I am so glad I read this book. It got me hooked. I've read all of Vonnegut's work and it is brilliant! But this book has remained close to my heart, and my favorite. That's because of all the heartfelt convictions about family that Vonnegut writes about. His memoirs about his sister, are really sweet, and I can identify with his perspective, because I have a brother who I think is hilarious. I also really enjoyed the bit about how to make a Utopian society out of artificial families. This book is such an easy read, and every time I read it, I find new concepts and ideas that I didn't notice before. So funny I laugh out loud still reading some parts. Highly Recommended. -M. R. ;)
Rated by buyers -
I have mixed feelings about Kurt Vonnegut. I always admire the way he writes - his ability to propel me through a book, quickly and effortlessly. I know there will be a few good laughs, some heart-wrenching tragedy, and some wry or clever social commentary. When he is at the top of his game, he is one of the best. I really enjoyed Breakfast of Champions and I consider Slaughterhouse Five to be a masterpiece. So every couple of years, I read another Vonnegut book, hoping to recapture that magic.
But here's the thing - while I like the way Vonnegut writes, I often find myself not really liking the actual story. The plot devices are too silly, too cute, or too absurd to be taken seriously. Or worse, the jokes fall flat or the satire is uninspired.
Slapstick has all of these faults with none of the rewards. After 25 pages, I knew the book was a dud and seriously thought about putting it down. But it is just so easy to read, I kept on, hoping it would improve. But to no avail. If anything, it lost momentum about half-way through the book, when the Wilbur's twin sister, Eliza, moves out of the story. Overall, the plot is foolish and ridiculous. The funny parts aren't that funny, and the sad parts are only occasionally poignant or tragic. Finally, the satire isn't clever or insightful; rather, it feels obligatory and halfhearted.
So I kept thinking, what is the point of this book? That Kurt Vonnegut mourns the loss of his sister, the one person he wrote for? While her death is sad, Slapstick only hints at his pain, so the reader never fully appreciates the extent of his loss.
Perhaps the point is that simple human decency is desirable and the cornerstone of a functional society. Okay. But I already knew that, and this book didn't really do much to show me why I need a reminder.
I found out soon after reading Slapstick that Vonnegut considered it to be one of his worst books. If you love Vonnegut, go ahead and give it a whirl. You'll plow through it in a couple of hours. But if you are new to Vonnegut or just lukewarm on him, give this one a pass.
Hi ho.
Rated by buyers -
There is no way that Slapstick is over-rated. I just read this in honor of Kurt Vonnegut's passing (re-read). I read all of his books around the mid to late 80's. I think I've gone back and re-read all of them for the second time, but this was the third time I've read Slapstick. It really just dosen't get much better than Vonnegut does it? I really enjoy reading his speech and letter stuff, plus his later books, but then when you go back and read one of the "heavy hitters", it just is really out of control isn't it?! The very first four books I heard about from Vonnetgut where Galapagos, Slapstick, Cat's Cradle, and Deadeye Dick. I had heard about Slaughterhouse but hadn't read it. I read those very first four and that was it, my mind was blown, I simply had to read ALL of this man's writings, and I have never been disappointed. Some of his material is lighter, some mind blowing, but it is ALL amazing stuff. Hey, this is just because I care man. cheers
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