The social satire SLAPSTICK, one of Kurt Vonnegut's lesser-known novels (the author himself gave it a 'D' grade), was written shortly after the death of his sister, and features Vonnegut's usual themes of absurdity and apocalypse. The novel's central characters are the monstrous genius Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain and his twin sister, Eliza. Though each is handicapped in various ways, together they form a genius-level intelligence. Wilbur invents a scheme for eliminating loneliness in the world, and uses this platform to become elected president of a futuristic America ravaged by two virulent plagues, one of which turns out to be caused by miniaturized Chinese. Formally scattershot, characteristically funny, and occasionally psychedelic, SLAPSTICK is permeated with a deep sense of loss and hopelessness.

This hilarious, wickedly irreverent farce presents an apocalyptic vision seen through the eyes of the current King of Manhattan (and last President of the United States).

This hilarious, wickedly irreverent farce presents an apocalyptic vision seen through the eyes of the current King of Manhattan (and last President of the United States).