If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young
by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Narrated by Kevin T. Collins, Scott Brick
Why Listen to This Audiobook?
Vonnegut's commencement speeches are the pep talks nobody gave you — and at under 2.5 hours, there's no excuse not to finally hear them.
- Great if you want: deadpan wisdom that cuts deeper than it first appears
- Listening experience: brisk and conversational — finishable in one sitting
- Narration: Scott Brick and Kevin T. Collins split duties cleanly, matching Vonnegut's dry register
- Skip if: you want sustained argument rather than loosely connected wit
Listen to If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young on Audible →
About This Audiobook
Veteran satirist Kurt Vonnegut transforms the typically stuffy graduation speech into something far more memorable and meaningful in this collection of commencement addresses and reflections aimed at young people navigating their transition into adulthood. Drawing from decades of speaking to college graduates, Vonnegut delivers his characteristic blend of dark humor, hard-won wisdom, and surprisingly tender observations about the human condition. The author confronts the challenges facing young adults with both brutal honesty and unexpected compassion, offering guidance that sidesteps empty platitudes in favor of genuine insight about finding purpose and meaning in an often absurd world.
The dual narration by Kevin T. Collins and Scott Brick captures the conversational, intimate quality of Vonnegut's voice perfectly, bringing warmth and authenticity to these spoken-word pieces that originated as live addresses. Collins and Brick alternate seamlessly, maintaining the author's distinctive rhythm and timing while allowing his wit and vulnerability to shine through. Their performances emphasize the spoken nature of this material, making listeners feel as though they're sitting in an auditorium hearing Vonnegut deliver these words directly. The relatively brief runtime ensures the impact remains concentrated and powerful.