Vonnegut lives on through inspiration

Tragically, Kurt Vonnegut has died. But the good news is that his writing will live on for generations to come, perhaps inspiring younger would-be writers to keep plugging away and putting pen to paper. He certainly inpsired people before, an entire generation of young ones grew up under his influence and many writers credit Vonnegut with inspiring them to keep writing.

I feel sad for saying this, but I am unfamiliar with Vonnegut’s work. I haven’t read Slaughterhouse-Five or Cat’s Cradle or any of his other works. Apparently, I have missed something good:

Novelist Rick Moody, not even born when Vonnegut started publishing, recalled reading his books "several times" and wondered if "I could have gotten through my middle teens without him."

I have rarely read a book more than once. But when I do, there’s something about that book that has really captured my imagination in one way or another. And from what I have read of Vonnegut’s work, he was one of those writers who could capture the reader’s imagination. I wish I could have discovered his work when I was younger, like so many others before me:

For countless teenagers, reading Vonnegut was as much an entry into adult life as your first beer. The world became funnier, more dangerous, more exciting. If you were looking to send up authority, question life’s meaning or face the worst and keep your sense of humor, Vonnegut was your teacher.

Vonnegut might be gone, but his work will live on. I look forward to the joy of reading his work for the first time.

Read the entire article about the generation and writers he has inspired here:
Writers praise Kurt Vonnegut

Related posts

• Kurt Vonnegut: 1922-2007
• Inspiration comes from experiencing the world, not being reclusive
• Where can you find writing inspiration? Try your nearest bookstore
• Old vs. New: Does ageism exist in the literary world?
• Don’t wait for inspiration – just write!

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