So, I'd written my assessment of Vonnegut's final work with two chapters left to read – criticizing it as a collection of depressing pieces from a grumpy, pessimistic, skeptic. Then, in the final chapter I came across this:
It may be that I am no longer able to joke – that it is no longer a satisfactory defense mechanism. Some people are funny, and some are not. I used to be funny, and perhaps I'm not anymore. There may have been so many shocks and disappointments that the defense of humor no longer works. It may be that I've become rather grumpy because I've seen so many things that have offended me that I cannot deal with in terms of laughter.
Well, shit. Undeniably poignant, it completely f*cked with my perception of everything I'd just finished reading (and made me feel like a complete ass). I'm still trying to decide if I wish he'd opened with that.
Now, about Tony and Co. If you were ever a fan and you're still trying to figure out how you feel about the finale and the series in toto, there's a concise, astute final appraisal by Rob Sheffield in this month's Rolling Stone – Ciao, Tony. It's worth the read.
1 comment:
Well I didn't come back with a fork and knife but after actually watching the finale I feel a bit better. Primarily because I like to subscribe to the theory that the final cut to black was Tony getting whacked. Chase set the bar impossibly high in the first 3 seasons and spent the last 3 proving that was all there is. I guess that should be good enough.
Some of the best points in the Rolling Stone article are actually in the comments section:
-"We are already seeing a show more epic than The Sopranos, The Wire. No show on today has shit on the gang from Baltimore."
-"I’m kinda glad to see it go…the storyline was getting weaker with each season."
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