Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel spins the chilling tale of engineer Paul Proteus, who must find a way to live in a world dominated by a supercomputer and run completely by machines. Paul’s rebellion is vintage Vonnegut—wildly funny, deadly serious, and terrifyingly close to reality.
Player Piano (Kurt Vonnegut Series)
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“A funny, savage appraisal of a totally automated American society of the future.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“An exuberant, crackling style . . . Vonnegut is a black humorist, fantasist and satirist, a man disposed to deep and comic reflection on the human dilemma.”—Life
“His black logic . . . gives us something to laugh about and much to fear.”—The New York Times Book Review
“An exuberant, crackling style . . . Vonnegut is a black humorist, fantasist and satirist, a man disposed to deep and comic reflection on the human dilemma.”—Life
“His black logic . . . gives us something to laugh about and much to fear.”—The New York Times Book Review
From the Publisher
Vonnegut's spins the chilling tale of engineer Paul Proteus, who must find a way to live in a world dominated by a supercomputer and run completely by machines.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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ILIUM, NEW YORK, is divided into three parts. Read the first page
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ILIUM, NEW YORK, is divided into three parts. Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Book arrived much faster than advertised. Started reading right away. I found it a little difficult to get into, but great idea nonetheless and I look forward to finishing it. Great experience overall.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is one of my two favorite Vonnegut books (along with Galapagos), but I disagree with those who have posted the opinion that the true value of the book is Vonnegut's earily prophetic vision of social dinamics in post-industrial America. I believe that Vonnegut's intent was to convey his opinion of what constitutes fundamental human dignity (usefullness to others, in Vonnegut's opinion). Read in such a way, this book flawlesly illuminates the indignity of social welfare and mechanization.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
A lot of people, even Vonnegut fans, probably haven't heard of this book, for whatever reasons. Vonnegut really doesn't discuss it that much, mostly because he dislikes the label of science-fiction, which this book, along with The Sirens of Titan and even Slaughterhouse-Five, clearly is.
Still, this book is a must for Vonnegut fans or even those interested in old science-fiction in the style of Orwell or Huxley. Those looking for Vonnegut's classic deadpan black humorist style won't find it here. The beginnings of it are here, however and Vonnegut's tale of Paul Proteus' rebellion against the oppressive government is still as entertaining and fascinating as it was years ago. Read with the aforementioned 1984 and Brave New World, this book provides a slight contrast by using a different tone and more humor, but the message is still the same, that technology will ruin us all and bring about our ultimate downfall.
Fortunately this book has been reissued so that fans can see how Vonnegut started out, and fortunately, unlike most writers' first novels, Vonnegut's initial effort is just as readable as his later works
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointing Vonnegut adventure
I feel bad for writing this, but I was disappointed with Player Piano. I say this because Vonnegut is, hands down, my favorite writer and one of the first writers I truly took cues... Read more
Published on Feb 6 2011 by SBuckle
1.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointingly dull book
As a fan of Vonnegut's writing, I was extremely disappointed with this book. It has a good story premise but it doesn't really go anywhere. Read more
Published on April 29 2004 by K. Bergherm
3.0 out of 5 stars
Still relevant in 2004?
The scenario of Player Piano is just a little unrealistic, when compared to today's reality: yes, computers seem to be taking over much of the work formerly done by humans (or... Read more
Published on April 14 2004 by Kris
5.0 out of 5 stars
One to add to my collection
Some books I can plow through in an afternoon, regardless of the number of pages. However, every time I read something by Vonnegut, it becomes so deeply philosophical and... Read more
Published on Aug 11 2003 by Tom Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
one to add to my collection
Some books I can plow through in an afternoon, regardless of the number of pages. However, every time I read something by Vonnegut, it becomes so deeply philosophical and... Read more
Published on Aug 11 2003 by Barbara Reynoso
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Too-Successful Revolution
Player Piano is the story of an unlikely uprising against an over-industrialized society, which proved to be too successful and reminds the reader to "be careful what you wish... Read more
Published on May 20 2003 by buddyhead
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vonnegut's First Novel
His writing style was not fully developed, and the series of events went in order, but for his first novel, Player Piano is a great book about a totalitarian soicety, a revolt... Read more
Published on April 23 2003 by K. Bentley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still a good read after many years.
This book offers an interesting view of social politics as they were in the 50's, and still are. This book tells us what we are all rather blind to see, which is that we really do... Read more
Published on Mar 26 2003
1.0 out of 5 stars
Out of line
I'm slowly working my way throught the Vonnegut library; I've read about 12 books so far. Player Piano is far, far below the rest. Read more
Published on Feb 12 2003 by Michael D. Fleetwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Satire
I agree with a professor of mine when he told me that Slaughterhouse Five is better written, but Player Piano is more entertaining. Read more
Published on Jan 14 2003 by "j_kane"
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