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noonjinx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a beautifully written book about the pointlessness of war. It’s brilliance is that Vonnegut manages to make his point in a gentle way without getting angry or blaming anyone. It is very, very sad but also funny, whimsical and occasionally psychedelically weird (the aliens look like sink plungers with hands).
The lead character drifts aimlessly through the story as the people around him die in pointless ways. So it goes. His lack of agency which would normally annoy me, but in this case it’s fundamental to the point of the novel. The aliens have taught him that the past, present and future all exist forever and can’t be changed. Pilgrim’s consciousness veers wildly through time as he visits each important moment in his life. He knows where and when he will die and is as stoical about that as he is about the things that happened in the past.
Vonnegut’s tone and light touch make the weird, dream like story wonderfully readable. It’s probably one of the best books I’ve ever read and definitely one I’ll come back to in the future.
The lead character drifts aimlessly through the story as the people around him die in pointless ways. So it goes. His lack of agency which would normally annoy me, but in this case it’s fundamental to the point of the novel. The aliens have taught him that the past, present and future all exist forever and can’t be changed. Pilgrim’s consciousness veers wildly through time as he visits each important moment in his life. He knows where and when he will die and is as stoical about that as he is about the things that happened in the past.
Vonnegut’s tone and light touch make the weird, dream like story wonderfully readable. It’s probably one of the best books I’ve ever read and definitely one I’ll come back to in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
letiross's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
jwrites's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Xenophobia, and Violence
amsu's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
All this happened, more or less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
depiction of Trauma and PTSD2busyreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Racism and Mental illness
vhsrentals's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Mental illness, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and War
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel like I don't have enough brain cells at the moment to fully articulate what I feel about this book. Every time I thought I understood it something happened that just turned everything on its head. There is just so much to unpack, and this will definitely be living in my mind for a long time. There's a reason why this book is so famous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Genocide and Animal cruelty
kylieqrada's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I docked a half star for fatphobia. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this one, not that it needs me to recommend it. It's a modern classic, and I completely understand why. It's bananas, and haunting, and confusing, but in the best ways. Please look up TWs before picking it up, but do pick it up if you can!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
joensign's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Violence, and War
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Gore, and Fatphobia
Minor: Excrement and Suicidal thoughts
jeremie's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death