the-sirens-of-titan-by-kurt-vonnegut-j (Read this Book)

Sci-fi philosophy

The Sirens of Titan was Vonnegut’s second novel (after Player Piano, published in 1952). It strongly influenced Vonnegut’s reputation as a writer of science-fiction. It is a book overflowing with spaceships, Martians, intergalactic battles, and ‘chrono-synclastic infundibula’. The Sirens of Titan, however, also proved Vonnegut to be one of the greatest satirists and philosophers of his time.

‘Somebody up there likes me’

The Sirens of Titan is a science-fiction novel about religion, war, philosophy, and the weaknesses of the human race. It is at once clever, funny, outrageous and very relatable. And whatever may be behind the creation of the universe, the design behind this novel is very intelligent indeed.

The Sirens of Titan is set on four different planets, and encompasses a range of complicated and quirky characters. The novel’s main protagonist is Malachi Constant – a rich, depraved party animal from Hollywood. Malachi made his millions through luck – When asked to explain this good fortune, Malachi Constant can only reply ‘I guess somebody up there likes me’.

The novel begins as Malachi Constant is summoned to the home of Winston Niles Rumfoord, an aristocrat who has become caught in a chrono-synclastic infundibula (a sort of rift in time and space). Rumfoord materialises on Earth once every fifty-nine days, for one hour. During this particular materialization, Rumfoord has insisted upon meeting with Constant, in order to reveal the future to him. “Your destination is Titan”, Rumfoord informs Constant, “but you will visit Mars, Mercury, and Earth again before you get there.”

Determined to avoid ever shooting off into space and fulfilling these prophecies, Constant embarks on a partying binge that leaves him hung-over and bankrupt. With nothing left for him on Earth besides poverty and possibly prison, Malachi agrees to be recruited by the Martian army, and relocates to Mars. The rest of the novel tells the tale of Constant’s journey across the universe.

Kurt Vonnegut: Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions.