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Mother Night

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Mother Night

By: Kurt Vonnegut
Narrated by: Victor Bevine
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About this listen

American Howard W. Campbell, Jr., a spy during World War II, is now on trial in Israel as a Nazi war criminal. But is he really guilty? In this brilliant book rife with true gallows humor, Kurt Vonnegut turns black and white into a chilling shade of grey with a verdict that will haunt us all. Mother Night is a daring challenge to our moral sense.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Kurt Vonnegut's book, you'll also receive an exclusive Jim Atlas interview. This interview – where James Atlas interviews Gay Talese about the life and work of Kurt Vonnegut – begins as soon as the audiobook ends.

©1966 Kurt Vonnegut (P)2008 Audible, Inc. Dark Humour Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction War & Military Witty Comedy War Military Espionage

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Critic reviews

"Vonnegut is George Orwell, Dr. Caligari and Flash Gordon compounded into one writer...a zany but moral mad scientist." ( Time)
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The performance is good. At a few points we get a word or sentence in German. One reviewer said these are so badly pronounced that it ruined the book. I disagree: the reader's accent may not be perfect but it is pretty good (I'm a German speaker) and I would have to be a very delviate flower to let that impact my enjoyment. At one point around chapter 40 he mispronounces an English word ( totOLitariansim) twice. Dear reader I survived the trauma. Don't let Germaophone snobbery in reviews put you off: thisis a really important and entertaining book
This not typical of Vonnegut. There is no scifi but it is still a concept book, looking at identity and propaganda in totalitarian and free societies, conspiracy theories, shared delusions etc very contemporary themes (2022) but done in the usual light touch and entertaining way. Unusually for vonnegut, he edges into erotica, very successfully.

Excellent: Vonnegut in a different light

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This is my favourite Vonnegut book. It is a perfect package of ideas around identity and the human spirit. No words are wasted and it is darkly comic but also humane.

No one is quote who they appear to be

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I could have listened to it in all one go, if I had the time. Fantastic, hypnotic voicing - perfect for Vonnegut. Unforgettable story; a few unexpected turns. Also, I want to know how much it is based in fact; so I will be Googling that soon.

Spellbinding. Brilliantly voiced

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I really loved listening to this book, the performance and and the story were both engrossing and entertaining.

Vonnegut at his best.

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Well narrated. A man awaiting trial for Nazi war crimes writes his memoirs. Great listen

Less Sci Fi but still excellent

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Uncomfortable story which forces you to think about how people end up doing horrific things and who gets to judge afterwards. I should probably listen again to fully understand the points made, but I can’t face it, it’s too depressing.

Disturbing

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One of the best Audible performances, I felt like being in the theatre, the reading is completely engaging, nuanced, skillfully performed.

Wonderfully written and performed

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Pretty serious fare by KV’s usual standards. Much to ponder and despite being c60 years old it still stands up

Much to ponder

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One of the best books I have ever read. I liked the reader, great performance. I listened to it in two days. Would have been one of I had had the time.

Incredible

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First story I have read by Vonnegut and was very impressed I will be looking into more of his work now

Really good

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