The Sirens of Titan

Book Description

The richest and most depraved man on Earth takes a wild space journey to distant worlds, learning about the purpose of human life along the way.

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In Vonnegut's tale of the near future, a cold and malevolent universe is all that humanity can ever know.

Customer Reviews:

Wow.......2007-09-10

Before purchasing this piece of art, I already agreed with most of the philosophy behind it that I was to indulge. By the time I finished the last line however, I had no idea it would strike my nerve ending the way it did. When I finished, I leaned back, and starting laughing out loud from extacy.

What amazed me most about this book was not its astounding realization of life, or the amazing context Vonnegut portrays it in, but the manner of which the book seems to take you on a journey much longer than the 300 pages seem they should. When I concluded this work of art, I felt as though I had been by Malachi Constant's side throughout all those years of 'accidents'.

In a punctual manner of speaking, this book is amazing. If you haven't read it, read it. If you've read it and are looking for support from my review, read it again. You owe it to yourself to enjoy such fantastic prose.

Smorgasbord.......2007-08-15

As any fan of Kurt Vonnegut's novels knows, there are certain common themes to his work. "The Sirens of Titan", more than any other of Vonnegut's books that I've read so far (eight and counting), seems to pack all of his favorite subjects into one story. The subjects of science fiction, religion, war, political satire, time, fame, family, fortune and fate all come together to form a highly entertaining and thought-provoking story. Despite the smorgasbord of familiar Vonnegut subjects, the one theme that seems to stand out and rise above the others is the theme of fate. The characters in the novel all start out believing that they control their own destinies, and yet, time and again, find themselves simply pawns in the games of more powerful forces; often completely without their knowledge. Vonnegut seems to be ridiculing again and again mankind's delusion that he is somehow in control. To paraphrase a character in the book, "It's obvious that some being much more intelligent than I is in charge. Why shouldn't I just be friendly and try to have a nice time?" Who knew you could get such home-spun common sense wisdom from the planet Mercury?

Fate, Chance, and the Meaning of Life.......2007-08-06

After the somewhat clunkier Player Piano (Vonnegut's first novel), his style and voice take a big leap forward here with The Sirens of Titan. The concise sentences, the short paragraphs, the short chapters, the subtle insights, the satire, the humor - everything that makes Vonnegut so compulsively readable is accounted for here. As far as the actual story, there are a lot of important twists that I don't want to give away, but in short, Sirens is a wonderfully inventive exploration of fate, chance, and the meaning of life in this solar system. While I personally prefer a couple of Vonnegut's later books to this one, I'd say that Sirens is a must read for Vonnegut fans and a great introduction for anyone who likes to save the best for last.

I fell in love with this book..........2007-08-02

It is the first Vonnegut book I had the pleasure of reading and within a month I have read 4 more. It a fantastic book that manages to mix sci-fi with philosophy and religion. It's a captivating story, and I think one of the best Vonnegut books out there.

Just can't recommend it........2007-07-22

This was my first Kurt Vonnegut book and I struggled to like it because this book and its author came so highley recommended, but alas, I just can't.

Perhaps in 1959 it was a breakthrough for being so nihilist towards its plot and characters, but with the retrospect that living in the 21st century provides, Vonnegut's novel comes across as surprissingly dated and bennal, as if it broke ground for people to come along later and truly execute with some vision what Vonnegut perhaps set out to do.

First and foremost the novel never delivers on the promises layed out in the first 20 pages. The sense of wonderment established in the beginning, and its connection to an undercurrent of meaning in all our lives, was never explored. It was monotonously explained away as if Vonnegut couldn't be troubled since life is all supossed to just be random and meaningless anyways.

The characters don't grow or evolve, they are unlikeable and render unimaginable and utterly illogical decisions. Perhaps he was attempting to make their synapsis as unpredictable as the occurences around them, but I don't buy that... it comes off as lackluster storytelling.

Overall I was left a tad confounded, not that the message or meaning was too complex, but that someone would actually set out to create such elaborate language around what amounted to nothing. Of all the books I've read I think about this one the least.

Fortunately it only took me about 5 hours to read (otherwise a lazy afternoon) so if you're truly curious you can give it a go.

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The Sirens of Titan
Jr. Kurt Vonnegut
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000EAPRAO

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SIRENS OF TITAN
KURT VONNEGUT JR.
Manufacturer: Dell
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Cat's Cradle

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The Sirens of Titan
Kurt Vonnegut
Manufacturer: The Easton Press: Norwalk CT 2003.
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THE SIRENS OF TITAN; CAT'S CRADLE; GOD BLESS YOU MR ROSEWATER; WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE; SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE

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THE SIRENS OF TITAN; CAT'S CRADLE; GOD BLESS YOU MR ROSEWATER; WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE; SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE
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The sirens of Titan: An original novel (A Dell book)

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The sirens of Titan: An original novel (A Dell book)
Kurt Vonnegut
Manufacturer: Dell Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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The Sirens of Titan
Kurt Vonnegut
Manufacturer: Dell
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRI4FK

Kurt Vonnegut (6 Books) Slaughterhouse Five, The Sirens of Titan, Player Piano, Cat's Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, Mother Night

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Kurt Vonnegut : All Star Collection

Kurt Vonnegut (6 Books) Slaughterhouse Five, The Sirens of Titan, Player Piano, Cat's Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, Mother Night

Manufacturer: Octopus Books Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0905712471

Customer Reviews:

Kurt Vonnegut : All Star Collection.......2003-05-12

Six novels from Kurt Vonnegut. Includes Slaughterhouse Five, The Sirens of Titan, Player Piano, Cat's Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, and Mother Night.

A great value when considering purchasing each title individually.

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The Sirens of Titan (Audio)
Kurt Vonnegut
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000K03IYA

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The Sirens of Titan

Manufacturer: Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HTXQOQ

Book Description

It is twenty years since the once-magical land of Thimhallan was shattered by the forging of the Darksword.  The survivors of that catastrophe now live on Earth, bereft of magic and hope, forbidden to return home.

Only Joram remains behind on the world ravaged by his Darksword.  Although the magic weapon has been destroyed--and with it, Joram's power--rumors have risen that Joram has forged a second Darksword.

Now, as a merciless alien race threatens Earth with annihilation, Earth's desperate leaders look to Joram as their only hope.  But even as his old friend Saryon begins the perilous journey to seek his aid, the embittered Joram has his own plans for the weapon.

And Joram is not the only one.  Soon a new menace looms, foreshadowing betrayal, enslavement, and death to humans and Thimhallans alike.

Returning to one of their best-loved fantasy series, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman bring alive a sweeping tale of intrigue and magic.

Customer Reviews:

Good time-killer, noticeable flaws.......2007-03-10

I was fairly interested in this book when I started reading it, and I will admit, some of the story kept me interested enough to continue reading it until the end. But the book was lacking depth in key areas and could have done with a more cohesive plot. Worse still was the ending, which not only ruined the plot as a whole, it also thudded into place in a graceless and poorly written clump. Definitely enjoyed the potential of this book much more than the book itself.

very enjoyable.......2006-11-10

the book was hard to put down it is just as good as the others in the series

The worst W&H book ever.......2006-04-25

I was a big fan of the original series, but this capstone is just dreadful. Either my tastes have matured, or W&H forgot how to write well. The characters are all flat and undeveloped (to those who say you have to read the earlier stuff first, I did, but sorry, this is 20 years later, every single character should have changed at least a little and we need to see that). The plot was lame and really only got up to speed in the last 50 pages, so the first 200 pages are a total waste of time. I'd still recommend their earlier stuff, but avoid this one, unless you want to read one of the worst fantasy books of all time. The ending is so ridiculous it made me laugh, Deus Ex Machina for sure. Maybe they were having personal troubles when they wrote this one, but still, an editor should have been on top of it. I guess since W&H sell so well, all they want is the name. If no stars were an option, I'd have selected it. I feel cheated not just for wasting my time on this book, but for ruining wonderful memories of this series, which had been one of my favorites back in the day.

would rate even lower.......2005-06-22

how do you follow up the two best books you have ever wrote? not by writing something that goes so totally against the grain of the story as this book does. i would say the first two were my favorite Weis and Hickman books, and this one being my least favorite of all. i have read everything written by these two, i dont even see how this made it through their story writing process, nothing in this book other character names even relates tothe greatness of the first two books. steer clear of this stinker, and leave the story as a two book trilogy.

UNexcellent!.......2004-03-28

How disappointing! The oringal trilogy is ruined by this after though of a book.

Darksword Series, 5 Book Set: Forging the Darksword + Doom of the Darksword + Triumph of the Darksword + Darksword Adventures + Legacy of the Darksword

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Darksword Series, 5 Book Set: Forging the Darksword + Doom of the Darksword + Triumph of the Darksword + Darksword Adventures + Legacy of the Darksword
Margaret Weis , and Tracy Hickman
Manufacturer: Bantam Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000V9AXX4

Amazon.com

Justine Ingham is newly arrived in the "bin," a virtual environment that humans download themselves into (forsaking their bodies) to achieve a kind of immortality. The bin is patterned after the real world, at least up to a point, making the transition from the physical to the virtual as painless and natural as possible. But things aren't going too smoothly for Justine, who appears to be dreaming someone else's dreams and remembering someone else's memories. Things get more confusing when she meets a young man named Nemo, one of the few real humans left, who only drops into the bin now and again to see his parents. The two fall instantly in love, but their relationship seems doomed from the start, because Nemo would rather die than live in the bin.

Book Description

The body is baggage. The soul is expendable.

Nemo's mother and father left him behind to enter "the Bin"--joining twelve billion uploaded personalities who live in crime-free, disease-free and deathless virtual societies.

Nemo hass come of age on a dangerous, near-deserted planet populated by a handful of stragglers: religious fundamentalists and rebels, the creeps and the crazies.

Now he is twenty-one. And on a rare, reluctant visit to the parints who abondoned flesh and son for cyber-utopia, Nemo has met the perfect woman: a new Bin arrival named Justine, a beautiful pop singer sho dreams other people's dreams in the virual night.

Now an inconvenient attraction is leading two lovers into a perilous mire of irreversible choice. For Justine has no body to return to. And Nemo the renegade has sworn never to sacrifice his own; to live, age, and die instead in a bleak erthly hell. Because, as an aoutsieder, he may enter the Bin for short periods of time. But if he ever decides to stay...there will be no way out again.

An ingeniously original new voice in the realm of high quality SF, Dennis Danvers has seen tomorrow--and its the Bin: a vast network of silicon crystals into which twelve billion people have uploaded their personalities to live in crime-free, disease-free ad deathless virtual societies, leaving the dangerous and unpredictable Earth to a few stragglers, the creeps and the crazies, the religious fundamentalists and the rebels. Outsiders may visit the Bin for short stretches of time. But once they decide to stay. . .its forever.

Nemo is an outsider. This is his coming-of-age story. And it begins on the occasion of his twenty-first birthday, when he reluctantly pays a visit to the parents who abandoned their flesh and their son for cyber-utopia. Nemo is a righteously angry young man determined to live, age, and die in a bleak, almost deserted earthy hell rather than sacrifice his body and soul to a technological purgatory.

Until Nemo meets the perfect woman--a newly arrived resident of the Bin named Justine--a pop singer and beautiful enigma with an unsettling void in her past. And now Nemo the renegade is questioning everything he has ever fought for or against. But the strange dreams that come to Justine in the dark of the virtual night belong to somebody else--and theyre leading two innocent young lovers into a dangerous mire of irreversible choice, and into the intricate machinery of devastation.

Customer Reviews:

Sticks with you; a good scifi read.......2006-11-04

Love, religion and technology dominate Dennis Danvers' "realistic" (pardon the pun) view of what might occur in our not-too-distant future (one could draw a parallel between the Internet and the Bin). Danver's story echoes "The Light of Other Days" by Stephen Baxter and Arthur C. Clarke and "Spin" by Robert Charles Wilson, with overtones of Harry Harrison's "Make Room! Make Room!" Fans of the singer Aimee Mann, rejoice: she finds her way in here as well. A worthwhile read, secondarily thoughtful and an addition to be had for your collection.

well-written exploration of immortality, humanity, and love.......2005-02-16

A novel of the semi-near future, "Circuit of Heaven" takes place in a world in which most of humanity has uploaded itself into a virtual universe called the Bin. Inside, they are immune from death, disease, and all serious unpleasantness - it has simply been written out of the program. Outside, their bodies are disposed of and the few remaining humans - crazies, religious fundamentalists, and conscientious objectors - struggle along in an abandoned world.

Nemo is one of those conscientious objectors, and the story begins when he meets Justine, a new upload to the Bin whose past is strangely fuzzy even to herself. The two fall in love and must confront her strange history and the different levels of reality on which they live. The story addresses deep questions about love and sacrifice and what makes us human and what makes life worth living, but the plot is so absorbing and the sci-fi elements so well-conceived that these questions, while thought-provoking, are well-insulated. This is an enjoyable read that is not quickly forgotten.

Unforgivable?.......2004-02-28

I've always been intrigued by the idea of immortality. Who wants to grow old and die? Therefore I was impressed by the fact that, in Circuit of Heaven, Mr. Danvers succeeds in portraying a vision of immortality that is downright repulsive.

In this future world, humanity has largely downloaded itself to a virtual reality, a Matrix-like cybernetic environment called "the Bin," where everyone can live forever. The protagonist, Nemo, is a young man who rejects society's move to the Bin, and prefers to stay behind in the real world, now inhabited mostly by fundamentalist Christians.

I was emotionally convinced by Nemo's principaled refusal of the Bin. Through his eyes, we see the Bin as a realm of claustrophobic denial and stultifying artifice. The Bin is a symbol of a society that is decadent, corrupt and complacent; Nemo is the idealistic rebel who refuses to go along with the herd. The Bin is hell, but Nemo is on the side of the angels.

The novel is fast-paced, fun and easy to read, and seems to have a classic story hook: Nemo falls in love with a woman who exists only in the Bin. There are several overt references to Romeo and Juliet, and so I steeled myself for a tragic conclusion.

SPOILER ALERT: I can't voice the main objection of my review without giving away the ending, so please don't read on if that sort of thing bothers you. The author seems to have chickened out, or perhaps been bulliied by his publisher. The tragic ending which seems so clearly intimated earlier in the book never materializes. That's fine; I like happy endings. But this conclusion is only superficially happy. Nemo abandons all his objections and downloads himself into the Bin to be with the woman he loves! If you were convinced, as was I, by Nemo's initial rejection of the Bin, then you can't accept this reversal. It seems that Nemo simply "sells out," which is perhaps tragedy in itself, but the author doesn't seem to realize it.

I believe this author has committed an unforgivable sin: the betrayal of both the reader's trust and the integrity of his own story.

One of the Greatest Works of Sci-Fi.......2004-01-22

This book makes the reader examine their viewpoints on death, religon and love. It chronicles the life or a man who has to choose between giving up his principles and downloading himself or leaving his love behind. Danvers gives vivid descriptions of settings and characters. An excellent book for any fan of Sci-Fi.

worth skimming through a few pages.......2003-09-05

All this Matrix-like mumbo jumbo! might get you sick after a while... Although I dig it :)

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Circuit of Heaven

Manufacturer: Avon books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Circuit of Heaven Reading Group Guide
Dennis Danvers
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History & Criticism | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Circuit of Heaven
Dennis Danvers
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CIRCUIT OF HEAVEN -- BARGAIN BOOK
DENNIS DANVERS
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Practical, spiritual advice

Excellent Gift

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!

Must have book

Wow!

God's Creative Power Gift Collection: God's Creative Power Will Work for You, God's Creative Power for Healing, God's Creative Power for Finances
Charles Capps
Manufacturer: Harrison House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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The Tongue: A Creative Force

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Seedtime And Harvest

ASIN: 1577946774

Product Description

Gods Creative Power Will Work for You has been a much loved scriptural resource for many years. With more than 3 million sold, Gods Creative Power for Healing and Gods Creative Power for Finances were released. This amazing series has now sold more than 5 millions copies! The Gods Creative Power Gift Collection combines all three of these powerful teaching books into one volume. Providing concise teaching and applicable Scripture-based confessions, readers will learn how to put Gods creative power at work in all areas of their life. They will discover and develop an understanding of how their words combined with Gods Word will positively affect their future.

Customer Reviews:

Practical, spiritual advice.......2007-10-09

Recently purchased this little leather bound 3 books in 1 gift set and couldn't put it down. Easy to read and understand for anyone that may be new to scriptures and/or Christianity.

I really enjoyed the scriptual positive confessions he lists in the book for different areas of life that we may need help in. His main point is that there is so much power in our words that we need to watch what we say for truly life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Too many people throw around phrases like "my back is killing me" without realizing the power in those words. Mr. Capps emphasizes that words are the most powerful thing in the universe.

What I also liked is that not only does Mr. Capps emphasize the power of God in dealing with our health and finances, plus he also states that we use common sense and not be a "stubborn christian."

Meaning that we don't just stop taking our medication or seeing doctors because of Christian pride unless we are directed to do so by the Holy Spirit. Although our goal is for divine healing and it's already been paid for through the blood of Jesus, we need to stop and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

It's an easy to read book that can be taken with you wherever you go and I highly recommend its purchase. This is one that I will read over and over again and always have handy when I need a spiritual pick me up.

Excellent Gift.......2007-08-30

This book would make an excellent gift.
It is a soft leather and can fit in a purse.
The prayers inside are well written and effective.
Something we all need - prayers that get results

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!.......2007-08-22

WOW. I knew our words hold power but what I didn't realize is just how powerful our words are in the Spirit realm and here on Earth. Remember Jesus told His Disciples in Matt 18:18 that they had power to bind and loose (release). I believe this is still true today because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. It makes sense that if we are called to do "even greater things" and since "every careless word spoken" will be judged then we ought to be very careful when and how we communicate. This book will Rock your world! Read it and give it away to friends.

Must have book.......2007-05-14

I just love this book. Its full of insite and wisdom from the bible. Everyone should get this

Wow!.......2007-03-19

This is a compilation of three of the authors booklets. Each a different area in which God's Creative Power will work in. Apply these prinicples and watch your life change. Great gift idea.

God's Creative Power Finances (God's Creative Power)

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A Way Out
My bills are all paid!!!

God's Creative Power Finances (God's Creative Power)
Charles Capps
Manufacturer: Harrison House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1577943619

Customer Reviews:

A Way Out.......2007-03-19

Easy reading, good application, beneficial, life changing booklet. If you are in the trap of debt, try applying these biblical principles. There is a way out.

My bills are all paid!!!.......2007-01-20

This is a great little confession book with regard to finances.

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