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osutton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jacalynwe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rickies0329's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
You never know where your life will take you within the world you know, or those you have yet to know. Kurt Vonnegut's The Sirens of Titan depicts the far-flung life and experiences of one man.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Malachi Constant is an incredibly wealthy man who learns his life's rough trajectory after meeting with another wealthy man, Winston Rumfoord, who periodically materializes on different planets with his dog and prophesied Constant's life and its intertwining with that of Mrs. Rumfoord, Beatrice. Traveling from Earth to Mars, partaking in their army, and making his way to Jupiter's moon Titan, Constant, also known as Unk after his Martian days, pieces together parts of his life after having had his mind repeatedly wiped while in the Martian forces.
In a relatively episodic manner that dislodges you just when you get into a comfortable rhythm and think you know what's coming next, the unraveling of Constant's life and the mysteries contained therein are portrayed as distinct entities of a more cohesive whole. Dabbling in matters political, financial, religious, and scientific, the narrative presents, oftentimes outlandish, thoughts and events to foster further contemplation. Using wry humor in situations and dialogue, there is a levity paired with the more solemn topics sprinkled throughout the text, providing a brief reprieve from weighty considerations.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Malachi Constant is an incredibly wealthy man who learns his life's rough trajectory after meeting with another wealthy man, Winston Rumfoord, who periodically materializes on different planets with his dog and prophesied Constant's life and its intertwining with that of Mrs. Rumfoord, Beatrice. Traveling from Earth to Mars, partaking in their army, and making his way to Jupiter's moon Titan, Constant, also known as Unk after his Martian days, pieces together parts of his life after having had his mind repeatedly wiped while in the Martian forces.
In a relatively episodic manner that dislodges you just when you get into a comfortable rhythm and think you know what's coming next, the unraveling of Constant's life and the mysteries contained therein are portrayed as distinct entities of a more cohesive whole. Dabbling in matters political, financial, religious, and scientific, the narrative presents, oftentimes outlandish, thoughts and events to foster further contemplation. Using wry humor in situations and dialogue, there is a levity paired with the more solemn topics sprinkled throughout the text, providing a brief reprieve from weighty considerations.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
angie_dutton's review against another edition
5.0
Very rare that Vonnegut pelts into full-on space opera but this is the closest he's been to it. Something refreshing about a "proper" writer engaging with that kind of genre, as it's something I love but at the same time most silly sci-fi - with the exception of Phillip K.Dick - I tend to have to lower my parameters and just accept that it's not traditionally very good writing, so nice to see it done so well.
sanguinesometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
flobbinhood's review against another edition
4.0
So strange and interesting. An absurd story that I thought was akin to Douglas Adams until suddenly it got really thoughtful and philosophical at the end. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend, but I'll admit I was left slightly bemused.
jairrob's review against another edition
My stupidity did, in fact, override my desire to be a Vonnegut lover