The Sirens of Titan

By: Kurt Vonnegut

Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The Sirens of Titan is an outrageous romp through space, time, and morality. The richest, most depraved man on Earth, Malachi Constant, is offered a chance to take a space journey to distant worlds with a beautiful woman at his side. Of course there's a catch to the invitation and a prophetic vision about the purpose of human life that only Vonnegut has the courage to tell.

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.

©1959 Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (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)

“His best book . . . He dares not only ask the ultimate question about the meaning of life, but to answer it.” ( Esquire)

“Reading Vonnegut is addictive!” ( Commonweal)

Absolutely Outstanding

For me, Sirens of Titan was about as good as it gets. Okay, so it's only been out there what, 50 years? How'd I miss this thing. I thought I read it as a kid and kept blowing past it on lists to read. Did I say it's as good as it gets? Who cares if a few things here and there didn't make any sense. It was funnier'n shit. What praise could I possibly add that hasn't already been heaped on and said in the last half century. How 'bout a few memorable quotes:

Let's get the Fundamentalists out of the way:

‘The flag of that church will be blue and gold,’ said Rumfoord. ‘These words will be written on that flag in gold letters on a blue field: Take Care of the People, and God Almighty Will Take Care of Himself.”

“To us of the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent, there is nothing more cruel, more dangerous, more blasphemous that a man can do than to believe that - that luck, good or bad, is the hand of God!”

or

"There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization. If there are such things as angels, I hope that they are organized along the lines of the Mafia."

How 'bout one for the minimalists:
"Every passing hour brings the Solar System forty-three thousand miles closer to Globular Cluster M13 in Hercules— and still there are some misfits who insist that there is no such thing as progress."

A couple of classic Kurt that I hope will live forever:
"I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center."

"Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile!"

I thoroughly enjoy Kurt Vonnegut's humor but I love him for his humanism; humanism that comes through on almost every page.

The narration by Dennis Boutsikaris did justice to the book and given what I just said about the book, that kind of says it all. Did I say this book is as good as it gets?

Great Writer, Great Book

Don't know if everyone will love Vonnegut's writing as much as I do. He has a style that I just love. He does have a style very much like Douglas Adams ( or should I say Douglas Adams has Vonnegut's style -- cause Vonnegut was first). He has great explanations for the most ridiculous things. Absurd!!

Was a good book

it was very interesting and the beginning was hilarious but I don't know if it has re-read value for me personally

A wild ride

If you like a story with a unique and imaginative setting, this is for you.

Brilliant opening-great book

Vonnegut is a favorite...and Sirens of Titan is among his best. Great for readers who enjoy philosophical authors who are crisp and witty.

Fantastic

Vonnegut is an absolute master of storytelling. Witty, satiric, hilarious. This undoubtedly will be setting me down a Vonnegut rabbit hole

A roller-coaster of a story!

The depth and complexity of the characters and story in this book are wonderful. There is not a dull chapter in the volume, although the story traverses time and space , it all comes together beautifully. I read this book quite a few years ago; now hearing it, I believe the experience was just as good.

Memorizing tail of life in the hands of cruel fate

I've read this twice before the audio book. This is my favorite Vonnegut book so far.

Jay Snyder is amazing

What a great reader for a classic unique book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Will look for other Snyder reads.

Forever fresh

Vonnegut has a style that speaks clearly and doesn't get bogged down in details. Science fiction without science in this case. Character studies and thoughts about mankind and individuals. I didn't love the story and it wasn't a waste of my time. A good high school or college read I would think. The narration well fit the story a handled the silliness well.