Kurt Vonnegut's Dual Roots

Abstract

Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was one of the most acclaimed and influential American novelists of the twentieth century. His literary corpus achieved universal prominence with the publication of Slaughterhouse-Five in the year 1969 and from that date hundreds of scientific papers have been dedicated to him. Vonnegut was also one of the most popular writers of the period and his works won widespread recognition This paper analyzes Vonnegut’s complex roots, linked both to Germany and the USA, delving into the author’s quest for authenticity and exposing how this conditioned his whole literary production.