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_s_i_r_h_c_'s review against another edition
4.0
"just because some of us can read and write and do a little math, that doesn't mean we deserve to conquer the Universe."
dnaxiii's review against another edition
2.75
I should first say that Vonnegut is one of my favorite authors. Not my #1, but somewhere in the top 5. I've been exploring his works in no particular order.
Unfortunately, this is the first one that I wouldn't recommend. If you've already read most of Vonnegut's titles and want to read this one, I wouldn't persuade you not to. But for anyone else, I'd steer you towards his other books instead (Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle, etc.)
Sometimes Vonnegut's stories have slow sections, but there's almost always a hard-hitting zinger or subtly profound line to draw the reader back in. The first roughly half of this book had no such zingers. If I didn't know I was reading a Vonnegut book, I might not have guessed the author until roughly the half way mark. The second half was better, but still not great.
The overall tone was darker and more serious that his other books. Sure, all of his works are dark, but he manages to twist it into a unique sense of optimism and provoke a few genuine laughs along the way, while also highlighting important issues in the world. This book had none of the optimism or humor, maybe a few attempts, but they fell flat.
One interesting point is everything he criticized about society is still just as true today. Granted, he wrote this fairly recently, so it's not that shocking. I'm sure we can all think of at least one despicable right-wing propaganda head spewing demonstrably false lies that almost (but not quite) half of the population blindly slops right up. Unfortunately I doubt that will change any time soon.
Lastly, there were a few good references to characters or lines from his other work. It won't devalue the story for those who miss the references, but it was a nice nod to seasoned Vonnegut readers. I just don't think the "I see what he did there!" moments made up for the mostly lackluster experience this book provides.
Unfortunately, this is the first one that I wouldn't recommend. If you've already read most of Vonnegut's titles and want to read this one, I wouldn't persuade you not to. But for anyone else, I'd steer you towards his other books instead (Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle, etc.)
Sometimes Vonnegut's stories have slow sections, but there's almost always a hard-hitting zinger or subtly profound line to draw the reader back in. The first roughly half of this book had no such zingers. If I didn't know I was reading a Vonnegut book, I might not have guessed the author until roughly the half way mark. The second half was better, but still not great.
The overall tone was darker and more serious that his other books. Sure, all of his works are dark, but he manages to twist it into a unique sense of optimism and provoke a few genuine laughs along the way, while also highlighting important issues in the world. This book had none of the optimism or humor, maybe a few attempts, but they fell flat.
One interesting point is everything he criticized about society is still just as true today. Granted, he wrote this fairly recently, so it's not that shocking. I'm sure we can all think of at least one despicable right-wing propaganda head spewing demonstrably false lies that almost (but not quite) half of the population blindly slops right up. Unfortunately I doubt that will change any time soon.
Lastly, there were a few good references to characters or lines from his other work. It won't devalue the story for those who miss the references, but it was a nice nod to seasoned Vonnegut readers. I just don't think the "I see what he did there!" moments made up for the mostly lackluster experience this book provides.
bethanechol's review against another edition
5.0
Really excellent. Complex, layered, significant, but accessible. It's really quite something - kudos to Allen for giving it to me a few years back. Have already added several more Vonneguts to my list. 100% recommended!
abbiecondie's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gore, Suicide, Violence, and War
willmaturi's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eilianw's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
titannineteen's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chaosetc's review against another edition
4.0
Sarcastic, unfiltered, and full of irony, I found myself agreeing with too much of this book.