Kurt Vonnegut

Vonnegut is generally considered by literary types to be a total pessimist. This is especially apparent in his fictional alter ego, Kilgore Trout, who's maxim is: "Being alive is a crock of shit."

Both Kurt's mother and father were depressed as well, bringing an air of despondency to the household throughout much of his childhood. Once rich, the Great Depression decimated their wealth at which time his father became withdrawn and somber, losing all vigor for life. His mother was deeply affected by their sudden change in lifestyle. Vonnegut comments, in Timequake, that his "mother was addicted to being rich". Indeed, her depression grew until 1944 when she committed suicide.

But the Vonnegut household is not just about sadness. His Uncle Alex was a good influence, teaching him to appreciate the little happy things in life. Vonnegut says that Uncle Alex used to tell him to take time out to recognize the things people usually take for granted and say, "If this isn't nice, what is?"