"Frequently combining slapstick humor, science fiction, and pulp with brilliant literary motifs and highbrow philosophy, Kurt Vonnegut has crafted a remarkable 50-year career as one of the most prolific and popular American writers of the 20th century. Though his works often meet with mixed reviews and prove difficult to categorize, his status as a premier contemporary novelist and cultural icon is irrefutable. This critical companion, perfect for students, guides readers through seven of Vonnegut's major novels. "--BOOK JACKET.