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claraeneri's review against another edition
2.0
this is a hard one to rate at this time so i’ll have to think on it. for now marking it as a 4
violabaldwin's review against another edition
4.0
4.4
I did know nothing about this book, not what it was about, why it became so famous, nor did I know anything about the author yet.
What I was reading was very unexpected, it was very depressing, contrary to sources that cite it as comical, I could find little to laugh in it.
I don't think that there is anything for me that could make descriptions of war and what people in those times had to go through, comedic.
Nevertheless, what other people might label as comedic I would describe as light, somehow digestable, but genuine, writing about the unspeakable horrors of war and their sad consequences.
+++ spoilers from here on+++
I found it ingenious how science fiction got incorporated into the story, depicting the PTSD of Billy Pilgrim, little gems and nuggets about philosophical questions of dimensions, our own limited perspective, time, determinism. Also, what a great move to weave in aliens to demonstrate how pointless and senseless and petty those wars are in the bigger picture of this huge universe.
The whole concept of time traveling is so fitting as a describing factor of how people with PTSD must experience life. 'And so it goes' transports the feeling of helplessness (and maybe resignation or acceptance?) of bad things that happen perfectly.
I completely understand why the book is so highly praised.
Looking forward to reading more by Vonnegut.
I did know nothing about this book, not what it was about, why it became so famous, nor did I know anything about the author yet.
What I was reading was very unexpected, it was very depressing, contrary to sources that cite it as comical, I could find little to laugh in it.
I don't think that there is anything for me that could make descriptions of war and what people in those times had to go through, comedic.
Nevertheless, what other people might label as comedic I would describe as light, somehow digestable, but genuine, writing about the unspeakable horrors of war and their sad consequences.
+++ spoilers from here on+++
I found it ingenious how science fiction got incorporated into the story, depicting the PTSD of Billy Pilgrim, little gems and nuggets about philosophical questions of dimensions, our own limited perspective, time, determinism. Also, what a great move to weave in aliens to demonstrate how pointless and senseless and petty those wars are in the bigger picture of this huge universe.
The whole concept of time traveling is so fitting as a describing factor of how people with PTSD must experience life. 'And so it goes' transports the feeling of helplessness (and maybe resignation or acceptance?) of bad things that happen perfectly.
I completely understand why the book is so highly praised.
Looking forward to reading more by Vonnegut.
jaaaase's review against another edition
5.0
Really really enjoyed this. Had no idea what it was about when I bought it on a whim, and was thoroughly impressed.
The unreliable narrator aspect of things was fantastic, and it made me think about the ways that trauma can affect people. Plenty of quotable quotes in it too- 'go take a flying fuck at a rolling donut' that I recognized from being quoted in the Music Theatre show Blood Brothers.
Will read again at some point!
The unreliable narrator aspect of things was fantastic, and it made me think about the ways that trauma can affect people. Plenty of quotable quotes in it too- 'go take a flying fuck at a rolling donut' that I recognized from being quoted in the Music Theatre show Blood Brothers.
Will read again at some point!
mgeoghe2's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audiobook read by James Franco. He was pretty good. The stars are for the text though.
petrusian's review against another edition
5.0
This book is many things at once. A time capsule of 1969, and a timeless diatribe on the pointlessness of war. A science fiction novel, and a "history" novel. Comedic, and melancholic.
I never read this book when I was younger, when many of my peers did, and I wish I had read it sooner.
So it goes.
I never read this book when I was younger, when many of my peers did, and I wish I had read it sooner.
So it goes.
genderlesspancake's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mikepotter71's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
tylieolson's review against another edition
4.0
For mature readers-- casual/funny mentions of sex, human body, reproduction, etc.
Complicated war concepts
Complicated war concepts