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bergsteiger's review against another edition
3.0
Very glad I read this as part of a book group. I read Slaughterhouse Five in High School and hated it. Never would have picked up a Vonnegut book again on my own.
This is basically a collection of shorts, mostly dealing with oppression on the fringes of war rather than in the midst of it as the title might suggest. The POW stories became a little redundant for me but there were enough other themes to keep me interested. I like Vonnegut's sense of humor and there were even glimpses of poignancy in some of his writing--especially liked the Commandant's Desk and Happy Birthday 1951.
Overall it didn't strike me as truly superb and a week after reading it, I can't remember what some of the stories were about when thumbing through the table of contents. Still it was an entertaining read and if someone mentioned they were thinking about reading it I would recommend it. This one gets a healthy 3 stars.
This is basically a collection of shorts, mostly dealing with oppression on the fringes of war rather than in the midst of it as the title might suggest. The POW stories became a little redundant for me but there were enough other themes to keep me interested. I like Vonnegut's sense of humor and there were even glimpses of poignancy in some of his writing--especially liked the Commandant's Desk and Happy Birthday 1951.
Overall it didn't strike me as truly superb and a week after reading it, I can't remember what some of the stories were about when thumbing through the table of contents. Still it was an entertaining read and if someone mentioned they were thinking about reading it I would recommend it. This one gets a healthy 3 stars.
kittyhollow's review against another edition
3.0
I'm typically not a fan of anthologies, but there were some amazing and thought provoking short stories in here. Vonnegut has a way of underwhelming me at first with his writing and amazing me a year later when I have had time to let the meaning of his book sink into my thick skull.
dg_trout's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
toomanyfingees's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book, if only for Vonnegut's last speech- as biting and funny as ever. I'm not the most impartial judge, I'll admit I cried when I heard he died, but I really recommend this collection for anybody, especailly Vonnegut fans.
tvduine's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
danhuet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
notaturnip's review against another edition
4.0
This book (read: anthology) definitely reads more as early Vonnegut, but like his earlier stories there’s a charming wit and sense of balance. If anyone’s keeping track, my favourites were ‘Spoils’, ‘The Unicorn Trap’ and ‘Armageddon in Retrospect’.
This is a relatively quick, relatively easy read. I woukd definitely recommend it!
This is a relatively quick, relatively easy read. I woukd definitely recommend it!
mark_von_oink's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
peter_gagne's review against another edition
I forgot how much I love Kurt Vonnegut's writing. This book was a great way to re-connect. Buy it. Read it. Love it.