Book Review: The Sirens of Titan

“…everything that ever has been always will be, and everything that ever will be always has been”

Kurt Vonnegut reveals great ambition The Sirens of Titan. He strives to explain the physical, political and emotional laws that govern the Universe without losing the reader’s attention. Vonnegut comes closer than most in realizing his ambition.

At it’s heart The Sirens of Titan is a philosophical venture. One that is described by war and whimsy. Vonnegut spins an intriguing tale, promising within the first chapter a voyage to Mars, Mercury and Titan along with an unlikely coupling. From there, he rarely breaks a step, delivering one interesting twist after another to his tale. He steers clear of seeming too crazy, by providing a keen observation at every turn, making room to pontificate. The Sirens of Titan provides meaningful insight to the heart of leadership, friendship and spaceships. A difficult and enjoyable feat.

The Sirens of Titan has something for everyone - adventure, romance, battle and meaning. Despite all of this, the book is lighthearted and flows seamlessly. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing read.

Non Omnis Moriar

There was nothing about the scene that wasn’t picturesque; the blue sky, the regal peak, the crisp air, the disturbing stillness. He stood there alone, scanning the mountain from the foot, right up until the peak. Trying to find a crevice, that would fit him perfectly; For surely, he thought, that is what the mountain was meant for, to find that sweet spot.

He looked at each rise and fall of the mountain and tried to calculate the spot with the least probability of being affected by a landslide. He then brought out a pen and paper and estimated the height of every tree on the mountain. He used geometry to then find the nook and crannies with the most sunlight. As day turned to night, he worked assiduously by the moonlight, just standing by the mountain. Trying to find his place in the mountain.

As he started losing count of the variables and equations and his fingers grew stiff around his pencil, he grew frustrated with every stirring of the wind. Finally, frustrated he shouted into infinity, “Have you no mercy?! How savage is it to throw a child of the Earth into this complexity, just to find his crevice!”.

As he sat freezing in his defeat, recounting his convoluted calculations, a steady voice replied back, “Oh child of the Earth, there is no crevice for you, neither here nor in any corner of the infinite universe. And in that is the greatest mercy bestowed upon you. For the majestic mountain and it’s crevices will crumble in the face of the gale. But you, the child of the Earth, are not born to be destroyed, your soul walks hand in hand with infinity. There is no crevice which can contain you.”

~Rishika Sudhir Dhody