Random Notes

I thought that this was an enjoyable read, but still covered a serious topic. I found a more serious tone to this novel compared with some of Vonnegut's other novels, but maybe just because I was reading more critically than I sometimes do.

Symbolic Names

What does everyone think of the names? Campbell as American as the soup? Krapptauer=Crap Tower? What's the deal with "the Black Fueher of Harlem?"

Destiny vs. Choice

Is there a stronger argument for free will or free will? Which one wins? If Campbell had all of these events fall into his lap, was this his destiny? Did he "choose" free will in the end by hanging himself?

Innocent?

Even if the story were true, is Campbell really innocent? Are people who allow themselves to manipulated in such a way innocent of the crimes that they commit? Were the German citizens not guilty of the Holocaust in some way?

Hoax?

Are we supposed to think that this whole story is a hoax, somehow thought up by Campbell to prove his innocence? If not...is this a plausible story? Could there really be a vast conspiracy with the Americans, the Russians, and the Jews? Did Resi really fall in Love?

Mother Night