Students at Case Western Reserve University will hang with one of America's literary giants when he visits Cleveland for a public lecture, sponsored by the Case College Scholars Program.

Students at Case Western Reserve University will hang with one of America's literary giants when he visits Cleveland for a public lecture, sponsored by the Case College Scholars Program.
All members of the Case community can hear Kurt Vonnegut, the author of such books as "Slaughterhouse-Five," "Cat's Cradle," "Welcome to the Monkey House" and other best-selling novels, at 4 p.m. February 4 in Severance Hall.

While "Piano Player" (1952)-his first book-launched Vonnegut's career as a novelist, it would be "Slaughterhouse-Five" that propelled him to the top of the best-seller's list in 1969. Like many other Vonnegut novels, "Slaugherhouse-Five" is deeply rooted in the author's personal experiences. This bestseller draws upon his nightmarish imprisonment by the Germans, who kept him with other POWs in an underground meat locker during the Allied Forces' bombing that killed 135,000 people in Dresden, Germany.

In addition, Vonnegut's felt-tip doodling on his manuscripts evolved into book illustrations for "Breakfast of Champions" (1973) and other works.
Following Vonnegut's talk at Severance, Case's College Scholars will share dinner with the writer and artist when he visits Scholars House on campus.

Vonnegut joins a growing list of celebrities, including playwright Edward Albee, Nobel Laureate for poetry Derek Walcott, environmentalist and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader and Polish resistance leader Lech Walesa, who have made stops at Scholars House.

For tickets, call 216-231-1111.

Return to the online edition of the 1-29-04 Campus News.