Mother Night

By: Kurt Vonnegut

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

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.

This production is part of our Audible Modern Vanguard line, a collection of important works from groundbreaking authors.©1966 Kurt Vonnegut (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Vonnegut is George Orwell, Dr. Caligari and Flash Gordon compounded into one writer...a zany but moral mad scientist." ( Time)

Slightly drier Vonnegut, but still a classic.

Vonnegut is his usual sharp self, always plumbing the depth of the duality of human nature and our concepts of good and evil. The characters are engaging and fleshed out as well as any of his other novels. Great story, easy to follow, with the focus being on the characters' individual anguish resulting from past actions and the increasingly hazy recollections of WWII. Not as humorous as his other novels like Cat's Cradle or Slaughterhouse Five (yes, even that was funnier). Still, one of the top Vonnegut books, pleasing to his his fans and any casual reader.

The narrator was good, pleasing to the ear, and nondescript. Perhaps that is good about a narrator--the he or she does not stick out beyond the material. He did a good job of jumping between voices and did not over-act any part of it.

Great to find another outstanding Vonnegut book

This book is a poignant and engrossing listen, full of unexpected twists and turns throughout. Kudos to the narrator for using restraint with voices and letting the listeners reach their own judgments and conclusions about the intentions and motivations of the main characters, which are complex. The reader/listener is left with that feeling that on one is ever completely good or bad, but an ever changing mixture of both.

He said, I said

Vonnegut is always a good listen/read but the emphasis on "he said, I said" in the performance is a quite annoying.

Essential reading (or listening)

One of my favorite Vonnegut books. Heart wrenching and masterfully written. Obviously not as whimsical as some of his other works but it makes incredible points regarding human nature, war and the things that drive those involved. Scary, poignant and gripping throughout.

Gut wrenching. Perfect book for 2020.

This book left me staring into space thinking of it long after I finished it. Add me to the list of women who are hopelessly in love with Howard W. Campbell Jr.

Great! as any Vonnegut Book should be ;)

This one is more down the Slaughter-house 5 vein than the Breakfast of champions. Another WW II cathartic piece from Vonnegut. Draws you right in and spins you around till you realize where you have gone! I highly recommend this book! #Quirky #Witty #WorldWarII #Cynical #Dark #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Fantastic dictation meets piercing literature.

An absolute must for new and old fans alike. Prepare to have your very identity and purpose in life questioned after listening to this book.

The Style Jumps off the Page

I am a Kurt Vonnegut newbie and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a little obtuse but nothing your average reader would have trouble with. What I found interesting was the odd distribution of emotion. One would expect a book about Nazis post WWII to be heavy with anger but there seemed to be more indignation and romance coming from the oddest of places.

True vonnegut

poignant, feels honest and actual. interesting characters. dialog at it's best. well read and acted.

Forgot how good Vonnegut wrote.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, excellent read. Definitely Vonnegut's best even though probably his darkest.

What did you like best about this story?

Unlocking subconscious rationale for things people do in life.

What does Victor Bevine bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A proper emotional level.

Who was the most memorable character of Mother Night and why?

The hero.

Any additional comments?

Dark times in history, overwhelming at points.