So I went to the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library and then I went to his old home.
Though small, the KVML is worth stopping at if you happen to be in the Indianapolis area. Arguably one of Indianapolis' most famous sons and unarguably its most famous writer has a Memorial Library not to far from Indianapolis' Capital Building. While small, it does have several of KV's painting, his entire body of work, and some of his personal possessions (rooster lamp, cigarettes, books, etc.)
And since I was already in the area, I decided to go to his childhood home in Indy. No one currently lives there, so I got to creep around and take some pictures.
While I'm not sure how much reconstruction was done on the house itself, the door is original. The K & E is for Kurt Vonnegut Sr. and the E is for Edith (KV's father and mother). 1923 is the year the house was built.
Since I'm not sure if this is a topic anyone besides myself cares about, I've decided to currently limit the uploaded pictures to the two above. If anyone wants to see more of either (museum or home), just let me know and I will post them.
I'd be interested to see more of everything.
I forgot to post this... Its a mural of Kurt Vonnegut in downtown Indy. It's on the side of a Jazz bar named "Chatterbox" and stand about three stories tall.
that mural is grand.
More, please.
Yes, more please.
I am embarrassed to admit I've never read any Kurt Vonnegut. Great mural though!
Me neither.
The library has started something they call "The Rejection Letter of the Quarter".
Collection of his paintings.
Panoramic of mural. You can see me in the black jacket. On the left, you can see a collection of Vonnegut's work, many signed, first editions, or rare leather bound editions. Approx. value is $50K.
Me.
Rooster Lamp.
I had a signed 1st of Breakfast of Champions. Gone now.
More pix would be great.
To thise who havent read Vonnegut, I will say that I am a big fan and that you should at least give him a shot. I won't say that he ought to appeal to everyone.
This is why we can't have nice things.
The cigarettes are odd. People are interested in the strangest things when it comes to those they admire.
Well, they are significan t to fans of KV.
This is why we can't have nice things.
I'm sure. That was my point. We all put odd significance in common things that belonged to those we admire.
KV's eyeglasses and a review of SH5
Belt Buckle for Vonnegut Hardware Store (they sell facsimiles at the gift store too)
Recreation of KV's writing space
Letter from KV Sr to KV Jr returned while he was MIA from the Battle of the Bulge. It has never been opened and under orders from Mark Vonnegut (Mark being KV Jr's son and heir of the estate) must remain that way.
I like the quote on the desk.
Maybe I'll have to read some of this guys stuff.
I like the quote on the desk.
Maybe I'll have to read some of this guys stuff.
uhh
Well, sure, but they were significant to KV as well in an almost totemic way. Hard to explain. They're parctically acharacter from his novels personified.
Akin to finding Tyler Dirden behind Chuck's bookcase.
Had Chuck featured him in a few dozen good books.
This is why we can't have nice things.
If you like, I can give you a list of KV books to read in what order to get the full effect without having to read everything in order of publishing.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Yes,, i would like that.
The quote on the desk is from Thoreau.
Full quote: "I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.""
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Typewriter he wrote Blue Beard and Galapagos on.
Asshole
Give me a couple days and I'l give you a list along with the whys and wherefores.
This is why we can't have nice things.
You, too.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Very cool pictures, Lazlo. Thanks.
This might have been my favorite.
Also, Vonnegut books are really easy reads if you have that sense of humor. I went through eight or nine of them in a really short amount of time and enjoyed the fuck out of them.
I haven't read Breakfast of Champions... at first this was due to someone stealing all copies of it from my school library... but now, as dumb as it is, I suppose I'm putting it off so I'll have something to look forward to... although this thread makes me want to read it right now.
Amazing. I find the rejection letters most interesting, would love to have a read of those.
(and I do apologize for the awkward structure above, I'm having an off day, writing-wise.)