God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is lauded for its satirical wit and sharp social critique. Readers appreciate its humorous yet poignant exploration of wealth, philanthropy, and human compassion. However, some find the narrative's pacing uneven. Overall, it's considered a thought-provoking and entertaining read.

Readers who enjoy God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. typically appreciate satirical and darkly comedic explorations of society, wealth, and human nature. Fans of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 and George Orwell's Animal Farm, who have a penchant for incisive social critique and absurdity, would find this book compelling.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, written by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., follows Eliot Rosewater, who, rejecting his wealthy family's values, moves to Rosewater, Indiana, and uses the family's fortune to help those in crisis. An unscrupulous lawyer, Norman Mushari, tries to prove Eliot incompetent to gain control of the fortune, but Eliot thwarts his plans. The book addresses mental health issues, suicide, and substance abuse.

Humorous / Mysterious / Melancholic / Contemplative / Bittersweet

- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater was first published in 1965 and is considered one of Vonnegut's important social satires, critiquing the nature of wealth and philanthropy in American society.
- The character Eliot Rosewater, around whom the novel revolves, is part of Vonnegut's recurring fictional universe; he is also mentioned in Slaughterhouse-Five.
- Kurt Vonnegut uses his signature dark humor in the novel, which features a baptism scene that concludes with the words, "God damn it, you've got to be kind."

**Eliot Rosewater**  
The protagonist of the novel, Eliot is the heir to a vast fortune and the president of the Rosewater Foundation. He struggles with mental health issues and seeks to connect with ordinary people rather than hoard wealth.

**Norman Mushari**  
The antagonist, Mushari is a young lawyer who schemes to gain control of the Rosewater Foundation's funds. He is intelligent and unscrupulous, using deception to achieve his goals.

**Senator Lister Ames Rosewater**  
Eliot's influential father and a senator from Indiana, who allows a firm to manage the Rosewater Foundation as a tax haven. His character satirizes the privilege of the wealthy and powerful.

**Kilgore Trout**  
A fictional science fiction author who appears in many of Vonnegut's works. In this novel, he defends Eliot's actions as moral and compassionate rather than indicative of mental illness.

**Sylvia Rosewater**  
Eliot’s wife from Paris who comes from a wealthy, culturally elite family. She loves Eliot but struggles with her own mental health issues and the pressures of their lifestyle.

**Fred Rosewater**  
Eliot's second cousin, a financially struggling insurance salesman who is manipulated by Mushari. If Eliot is deemed incompetent, Fred would inherit stewardship of the Rosewater Foundation.

**Harry Pena**  
A trap fisherman and Chief of the Pisquontuit Volunteer Fire Department. He embodies exaggerated masculinity and, despite his image as strong and self-sufficient, faces financial struggles.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-14

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Chapters 11-14 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Character Analysis

theme

Themes

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Themes

Symbols & Motifs

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Literary Devices

quote

citation

Important Quotes

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Essay Topics

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater?

Reading Age

Book Details