Reviews

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

natprince's review against another edition

3.0

Strange, dark, sad... typical Vonnegut. Took me awhile to get through it. I would give it 2.5 stars. I really liked slaughterhouse five, this one fell below the mark for me.

*update 2020* after reading an interview that Vonnegut did with Playboy, he said that slaughterhouse five and breakfast of champions were initially supposed to be one book. He said he “decanted” slaughterhouse out of the original book, and breakfast of champions was what was left. That makes more sense to me in hindsight. I still think I liked slaughterhouse better.

lostinfrance's review against another edition

3.0

I felt like I was missing something in my culture because I had only read Slaughterhouse Five....in high school and I sadly, only remember liking it...and how ridiculous it was (I plan to return one day.). A friend and manager loves Vonnegut so much that he quotes him often, so I looked at a list of his books and randomly chose one based on the title. Apparently, I did not pick his favorite--- but that is ok, because I enjoy Vonnegut's style of writing and as much as I didn't relate to the characters, I enjoyed the ridiculous.
This is the story of two characters....Trout and Hoover and how they end up meeting (more like crashing into each other) after many details...at the end of the book. Trout writes bad sci-fi that one finds in porn magazines. Hoover is a rich man, owner of a car dealership--- and suffering from the loss of his wife to Drano. His son is a transvestite (probably a drag queen, but this book is dated) and there is a truck driver and an author that is an actual character--- and a secretary that is also a mistress (is she a mistress if the man is no longer married)? All that to say...the book is ridiculous, but honest and worth a break in the life continuum.
Read--- if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Vonnegut.

jekaluleka's review against another edition

5.0

Loved the sharp social commentary, although Kurt's a bit pessimistic for my taste. I loved the drawings and the parts where the author himself is in the book, and how he interacts with the characters

comrademun's review against another edition

5.0

hands down, the best book i've read in 2010. words can't even describe the awesomeness.

setlledbullet9's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

rutaverykruta's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

polyvoda_i's review against another edition

5.0

Слухайте: це історія про Кілґорта Траута - письменника-фантаста, романи, оповідання котрого виходили у порнографічних книгах з "розчахнутими бобриками" на обкладинках та Двейна Гувера, власника фірми продажів понтіаків.

Слухайте: це історія також про пластикову одноразову Америку і суспільство.

Слухайте: найцікавіше що мені зустрілося. манера оповіді така, наче автор сам є присутній у книжці - Творець - розповідає про Землю комусь, хто нічого не знає про людство, цивілізацію, про банальні речі, накшталт ягнятка чи розмноження.

Слухайте: Вавилонська бібліотека - любов любовна. Дуже по-воннеґутівськи видання. обкладинку, яку зробиш сам, текст доповнений малюнками

sabinesorendo's review against another edition

4.0

It was my first Vonnegut's book.. And you know what? It was amazing! And I knew it from the beginning because who normal grown-up men would draw buttocks in their books?

Story was intriguing, attractive and intense. It easily kept my attention and mind. Seriously funny and serious in a fun way. In some ways it was hard to get what sense does it all even make + book wasn't predictable at all.
Definetely a good writer. Can't wait to read something more from him!

sbarman's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.75

kylajfountain's review against another edition

1.0

this may be the breakfast of champions, but, unfortunately, i am not a champion.
vonnegut, bestie, i love you, but what the *fuck* was this.