blueberrydahlia's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Animal death, Alcoholism, Abortion, Suicide, Pregnancy, Cannibalism, War, Sexual content, Infertility, Death, and Blood
grrr8_catsby's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Kurt Vonnegut's Galápagos feels like the true spiritual successor to 1973's Breakfast Of Champions.
On paper, they read very much the same; the narrator (Leon Trout, compared to Kurt Vonnegut himself) immediately reveals the climax of the story. Where Breakfast Of Champions had random sketches and images inserted into the narrative, Galápagos utilizes literary quotations. The astute Galápagos reader will also come across multiple references and allusions to Breakfast Of Champions; narrator Leon Trout is the son of reoccurring character Kilgore Trout, we are allotted a quick snapshot into the home life of Dwayne Hoover in Midland City, Ohio, and meet yet another Kazak, which yet again proves to be same name, different dog.
This, truly, is where the similarities end, however. Thematically, the books are very different, and it is difficult to envision a shared universe where both stories can coexist simultaneously. At face value, Galápagos is a quasi-apocalyptic story about the miraculous survival of a select few that will go on to comprise the human race, and the evolutionary adaptation that the next million years will carry. However, Galápagos is much more than that; on a deeper level, it is a direct examination of humanity and regret, the human brain, and nature vs. nurture.
Vonnegut tells you right from the start how the book is going to end; this is neither a plot-driven, nor character-driven story. All that matters is the content; and Vonnegut once again finds the perfect balance of satire and narrative. I would strongly recommend checking your content warnings before picking this book up.
On paper, they read very much the same; the narrator (Leon Trout, compared to Kurt Vonnegut himself) immediately reveals the climax of the story. Where Breakfast Of Champions had random sketches and images inserted into the narrative, Galápagos utilizes literary quotations. The astute Galápagos reader will also come across multiple references and allusions to Breakfast Of Champions; narrator Leon Trout is the son of reoccurring character Kilgore Trout, we are allotted a quick snapshot into the home life of Dwayne Hoover in Midland City, Ohio, and meet yet another Kazak, which yet again proves to be same name, different dog.
This, truly, is where the similarities end, however. Thematically, the books are very different, and it is difficult to envision a shared universe where both stories can coexist simultaneously. At face value, Galápagos is a quasi-apocalyptic story about the miraculous survival of a select few that will go on to comprise the human race, and the evolutionary adaptation that the next million years will carry. However, Galápagos is much more than that; on a deeper level, it is a direct examination of humanity and regret, the human brain, and nature vs. nurture.
Vonnegut tells you right from the start how the book is going to end; this is neither a plot-driven, nor character-driven story. All that matters is the content; and Vonnegut once again finds the perfect balance of satire and narrative. I would strongly recommend checking your content warnings before picking this book up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual content, War, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
abbruzzese's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As long as they killed people with conventional rather than nuclear weapons, they were praised as humanitarian statesmen. As long as they did not use nuclear weapons, it appeared, nobody was going to give the right name to all the killing that had been going on since the end of the Second World War, which was surely “World War Three."
strange and funny, if a bit confusing at times. so much of the book felt like world-building, like the waiting period before the story really starts. but the pacing works itself out, so it's alright. didn't really understand the ending, but i'm sure it's quite clever if you do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Incest, and War
Minor: Cancer, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Racism
littlewishling's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A weird read. I’m not quite sure what Vonnegut was trying to say or if he was trying to say anything at all. However, his writing style is at least entertaining.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
Minor: Animal death
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