So it goes...and so he went

I miss Kurt Vonnegut already. He was one of the finest writers our nation has ever produced. My favorite novels of his are, in no particular order, Player Piano; Hocus Pocus; Galapagos; God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater; Slaughterhouse Five; and Slapstick: Or Lonesome No More!, to name a few.

What I adored about Vonnegut was that he understood the need for many human beings to be useful to others and to avoid loneliness. He often wrote in what critics may call a "childlike" manner, but offered fairly profound observations regarding human nature, society and technology.

One of his favorite literary devices in several books was to say, "And so it goes" or "So it goes." With his physical life over--he was atheist, though, and he might say it's all over--we are fortunate to have his literary legacy. As the surviving members of Pink Floyd said of the band's founder, Syd Barrett, "Shine on you crazy diamond."

Update: Border's has published an interview by historian Douglas Brinkley with Vonnegut here. It's the first of two parts from a couple of years ago and reads well. Also, this article is interesting in how it describes other authors describing Vonnegut. I caught a sense that Norman Mailer recognizes others loved Vonnegut, but can't tell whether Mailer himself did. Hmmm...

Finally, this LA Times obituary by staff writer, Eliane Woo, is excellent! It is a must-read for anyone interested in Vonnegut's life and works.

(Edited)