If you were going off to war (or some other similarly horrific situation) and could only take one book with you, which literay book would you take and why?
If I was going to war, would I want to read war-books? I'm not sure. I don't think I'd want to be over-reminded of my 'horrific situation', but I don't think I'd want to read about anything else. A book about the social conflicts of a small village community, for example, could well seem bitterly irrelevant and unimportant, when read between skirmishes. At best, it would make you unhealthily homesick.
So I think I would go for a war-book. On my shelves, that leaves Waugh and Vonnegut, primarily. Waugh would point out the frustrations and abusrdities of army life on the every day scale, and it would be good to have someone to laugh with. Vonnegut would laugh, as well, but with a lot less spite, and I could read his heart constantly breaking over the tragedy of humans in war.
So it's Vonnegut. And I have to plump for the obvious answer, Slaughterhouse Five. Becauce if it turns out I don't want to read about war while at war, I can just flick to the time-travelling bits. More importantly, SH-5 is an essay in favour of one idea: that you are the same person when you are at war that you were beforehand and afterwards. You are not just a soldier.
Interesting answer-thanks for responding to my question
ReplyDeleteGood thinking, going for some Vonnegut. While it's not the most patriotic thing to read, the man had an interesting output about the problem.
ReplyDeleteI could never argue against Vonnegut - though, I'm not sure I would choose SH5 in this particular situation (too close to home). I might go more for something like The Sirens of Titan. Great choice of author, though - and I like your reasoning!
ReplyDeleteI would take my iPad cause it would be loaded with books.
ReplyDeletegreat choice, anything that can remind you that you are an individual and not a uniform has got to be great.
ReplyDeleteAdam, The Sirens of Titan is a great choice, but not something I'd want to read during war. I think I'd have to go for something completely escapist. I just can't think of what. I'm too caught up wondering what sort of complete b*stards would send me to war and only let me take one book!
ReplyDeleteBoth great authors to choose from!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Literary Blog Hop post!
My choice (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) seems nearly opposite of Slaughterhouse 5, but I think Vonnegut is a great choice. Quick to read and laced with humor, but many deeper issues to consider as well.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Vonnegut, despite the fact that I have Breakfast of Champions, Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse 5 on my bookshelf right now.
ReplyDeleteYou really seemed to think out your answer. I'll have to pick up one of the Vonnegut's soon.
you've been gone quite awhile now. i miss reading your posts...everything ok?
ReplyDeleteHey! I'm good, but have taken a completely unscheduled break from blogging due to overwhelming business all round.
ReplyDeleteNormal scheduling will resume next week, hopefully even with a bit more actual schedule than before!