“If somebody says 'I love you' to me, I feel as though I had a pistol pointed at my head. What can anybody reply under such conditions but that which the pistol holder requires? 'I love you, too'.”

American novelist and short story writer of the mid-to-late 20th century He blended dark humor with sharp social commentary, exploring themes of war, human suffering, and the absurdity of existence in works like *Slaughterhouse-Five* and *Cat’s Cradle*. His distinctive, conversational style made complex ideas accessible and memorable.