Synopsis
Galápagos takes the reader back one million years, to A.D. 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galápagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave, new, and totally different human race. In this inimitable novel, America’s master satirist looks at our world and shows us all that is sadly, madly awry—and all that is worth saving.
Stats
- Original Title Galápagos
- ISBN0385333870 (ISBN13: 9780385333870)
- Edition Language EnglishCharacters Kilgore Trout, Leon Trotsky Trout, James Wait, Andrew MacIntosh
- Setting Ecuador
Literary Awards
- John W. Campbell Memorial Award Nominee for Best Science Fiction Novel (1986)
My Thoughts
Instead of my normal review that I would do for my classic science fiction post I write every month, I am going to post a bit about why this book is important to me and my favorite book.
Often remarkable things happen at the most inopportune times. I found my favorite book by my favorite author wandering around a bookstore after our car broke down somewhere in Nowheresville, California. I knew of this author, anyone worth science fiction fan cred knows of Vonnegut. But what I didn’t realize is that he wrote a little-known book named Galápagos.
The book that I discovered was a hardback first edition signed copy just forlornly sitting on a shelf. This book was practically begging the right person to buy it and make it an integral part of their lives. And, that person on that day happened to be me. That’s what favorite books do. They become a part of your heart at the weirdest times, and if you believe in souls, they become part of that too. They help make up the fabric of the person that you eventually want to become.
I held the book to my chest, I opened up the front cover and got a whiff of pure nostalgia blown into my face. The book smell is a heady thing. I rubbed my finger along its gold pages, and I would not have been at all surprised at the spotlight from on high shining down on me while the rest of the bookstore darkened. I knew at that moment that this book, Galapagos, would become a part of me.
I parted with my hard-earned 80 dollars, took it home, and poured through it like it held the meaning of life for me. It might have been the moment, or the time in my life, or the fact that our car just broke down. Whatever it was, at that moment it was my holy grail, my magic wand, and door to Narnia all wrapped up in brilliant, sarcastic wit and imagery from one of the greatest writers that science fiction had ever seen. Yaaaas! My inner fangirl in me yelled.
If you nothing about Galapagos, just know that it is a weird, weird book. Like, Vonnegut was doing mushrooms and had watched FOX news weird.
The premise “takes the reader back one million years, to A.D. 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galápagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave, new, and totally different human race.” It is so weird and so strange that on days when I feel bizarre ennui with my life and with the human race, in general, I know that Vonnegut thought we could evolve into Manatees. And, that is what makes me smile, and I can go about my day.
If you want a laugh, or maybe a moment of fresh air from a long-forgotten science fiction novel try Galápagos.
Perhaps it will affect you as much as it did me.
Amazon Link in case you want to try it out.
I have read a lot of Vonnegut, but not this one! Great review
It is excellent. I would read this over his other works any day.
I haven’t read this one for a loooong time. Thanks for the reminder. He’s my favorite author.
I am so glad someone else has read it. It seems like a lost classic!