Cook's Clou: The Slaughter Writer

In honor of my completion of the book, while it has been a blast to mess with movie titles and compare them to this story, I would like to close with Ewen McGregor's performance in The Ghost Writer. Similarly to that of Vonnegut, he must presents readers with helpful information about a Prime Minister, even in the face of tragedy....so long....and enjoy!

Chapter 10: The Theme of Simplicity

I guess Vonnegut kept his promise after all, the book ended just like he said, with the bird asking, "poo-tee-weet?" This is fitting because just as it is referenced in that first chapter, there is nothing smart to say about massacre. I feel a sense that a central theme of even something simple as a bird talking, can seem as sane a the talk of war and killing other human beings in the process. Similarly to this bird though, Vonnegut knows that somebody has to attempt to fill the void that silence leaves behind in the wake of tragedy. Even though sometimes words are meaningless and do nothing for us, they too, like us, were able to survive mass incinerations. Vonnegut proves that through knowledge and literature, something beautiful in awareness, can arrive through such pain and anquish, to inform people of the dire consequences that war brings. That is the pureness that this story brings, and that is what makes Vonnegut a phenomenal writer. A hero or a villian isn't required to inform people of danger, just a clever way of presenting information...even in something as simple as jumping through time or dreams or whatever your final verdict was in finishing this great book....this is jimmy cook signing off...thanks for tuning in!

Cook's Clou: Darth Slaughter

Sometimes victory includes our own defeat...this is best true in the final of the Star Wars movies, when Darth Vader kills the emperor. He is able to achieve victory and save his son, but also ends the empire he worked so hard to build, and essentially brings his body to the point of death. Either way, this piece seems to fit well with what Billy is going through right now...enjoy!

Chapter 9: Symbolism in Death

Despite his own survival in the war, Billy has experienced a symbolic death that reaches even those who have survived like him. This death has to do with being relevant and still being alive in the world. This innocent death is in memory of all of the other kids and babies of these most recent Children’s Crusades. With all of this included, Billy hasn't quite felt the void that victory brings. The symbol of the two Germans describing the horrible state of the horses pulling Billy's coffin, allows him to understand that he is not able to avoid the present fact,  that being his victory also contains his defeat within. This so called happiest moment of his life, is quickly interrupted by tears of burden...Billy just can't catch a break...stay tuned!

Cook's Clou: Slaughter Recall

This next reference is dedicated to the release of Total Recall! While I haven't seen this movie yet, I'm sure it will be an epic one! The short premise of it is trying to figure out what is real and not real...which is basically the ultimate goal behind this book....can't wait to see it!...Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Internal Conflict

This chapter reveals the internal struggles that Billy has expierenced as the novel wears on. Specifically speaking, at this 18th wedding anniversary, a Barbershop Quartet sings at his wedding, which strangely drives Billy almost mad. Nobody is quite sure what happened to him or why he is so distrubed, but the next time they preform, it causes Billy to have to retire to his room. After walking in on his son in the bathroom,(who has a guitar on his lap while on the toilet,) Billy not only realizes that he really doesn't know his son that well, but also tries to figure out why the Quartet troubled him so badly. At this moment, Billy realizes that the faces of the singing Quartet, reminds him of the faces of those who died helplessly back on the night Dresden was destroyed. I guess it gives Billy a new opening into what stand point his mind is in; the sight of four wide-mouthed men symbolises the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Maybe Billy is finally accepting the world around him, and becoming sane once again...stay tuned!

Cook's Clou: InSlaueption

In commemoration of the fact that Billy's dreams may indeed be reality, we all need to see a film that is equally as confusing as the Slaughter House...INCEPTION!!!!!!!! One of my favorite movies of all-time, based on being in a dream within a dream within a dream,(crazy right?) anyway enjoy the movie cut-down to its most important parts in 10 minutes...but the ending still gets me everytime!....enjoy!

Chapter 7: Theme of Principle and Dreams

This chapter is where I finally start to feel effects of what it is like in the concentration camps. I can't even fathom what it would be like being a prisoner of war, and finally tasting a little bit of nutrients for the first time in lord knows how long. I feel like we really earn a piece of what Billy's story really is about; all these events that he speaks of have already happened, however I do not believe he is jumping through time. Despite all the speculation and all the confusion this book has given me, I feel that he is actually dreaming. I don't mean dreaming in the sense that all of this stuff is fake, but rather he is recalling these different memories sparatically while he is asleep. That is the conclusion that I draw as I cruise through Chapter 7, this is all just one big dream of memories if you will...this stuff is getting easier to understand...but we aren't out of the woods yet...stay tuned!

Cook's Clou: Slaughter Island

Sorry for the brief language used in this scene, however I felt that since we are all adults here, its should be easy to stomach, especially considering what we have read so far in the book. This movie, "Shutter Island," constantly jumps the line between what is real and what is fake. This is what many of Leonardo Dicaprio's movies during 2010 were about. Much like Edward Daniels, Billy is struggling with what is real, and what is fake....as am I....enjoy!