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spilled's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book more. The fact that I gave up trying to finish it says something. Sigh. In a hopeful way, it's good to know that even people who have extreme bouts of genius sometimes take time to get there, eh?
hyacinth_girl's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of short stories is a lovely portrayal of Americans from all walks of life. It was hilarious at times but also sad if you were to sit down and really think about some of the messages the stories are telling us. This was another winner for me, continuing my love for Vonnegut <3
jsilber42's review against another edition
3.0
Bagombo Snuff Box is a collection of early Vonnegut short stories. Most were originally published in magazines, most are not science fiction, and most, as Vonnegut himself freely admits, are not his best work. Kurt was still learning his craft during these stories, and it shows. If you want to read excellent Vonnegut short stories, go read "Welcome to the Monkey House".
Still, there are enough decent ones (especially in the later half of the collection) to make it worth a read for the Vonnegut completist, as his wit and essential humanity still shine through.
Still, there are enough decent ones (especially in the later half of the collection) to make it worth a read for the Vonnegut completist, as his wit and essential humanity still shine through.
arationalvein's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars
This is not what you're going to expect from Vonnegut. The stories in this collection are his early work, meant for sale to magazines. They're pleasant enough, but have very little of the cynical humour of his novels.
This is not what you're going to expect from Vonnegut. The stories in this collection are his early work, meant for sale to magazines. They're pleasant enough, but have very little of the cynical humour of his novels.
thekarpuk's review against another edition
3.0
Did you like "Slaughter House Five" and "Cat's Cradle"? Were you like me and totally blown away by the 4th wall breaking in "Breakfast Of Champions"? Well then scale back your expectations before you crack open "Bagombo Snuff Box".
These are stories written back in Vonnegut's magazine days, and as such are far more reserved than the stories he would later become a legend for.
Not to deny it's good qualities. For Vonnegut completists it's a fascinating collection, and for fans of short fiction it has plenty of gems, but betrayed expectations often make fans angrier than an actual lack of good craftsmanship.
The awkward part for me was the introduction, where Vonnegut complained about the way the magazine industry changed due to the rise of television. Ranting about the idiot-box was a passe old man activity by the 80's, and reading it in a book released in 2000 made my eye roll a bit in spots.
Even if someone's a genius, I'm still not that wild about hearing nostalgic rantings about the way things used to be.
These are stories written back in Vonnegut's magazine days, and as such are far more reserved than the stories he would later become a legend for.
Not to deny it's good qualities. For Vonnegut completists it's a fascinating collection, and for fans of short fiction it has plenty of gems, but betrayed expectations often make fans angrier than an actual lack of good craftsmanship.
The awkward part for me was the introduction, where Vonnegut complained about the way the magazine industry changed due to the rise of television. Ranting about the idiot-box was a passe old man activity by the 80's, and reading it in a book released in 2000 made my eye roll a bit in spots.
Even if someone's a genius, I'm still not that wild about hearing nostalgic rantings about the way things used to be.
epictetsocrate's review against another edition
3.0
Vechiul meu prieten şi critic, profesorul Peter Reed de la Catedra de engleză a Universităţii din Minnesota, e cel care a descoperit aceste povestiri din trecutul meu îndepărtat. Fără el, probabil că n-ar mai fi ieşit niciodată la lumină. Eu unul nu păstrasem nicio fiţuică din acea perioadă a vieţii mele. Eram convins că nu fac nici cât o ceapă degerată. Nu voiam decât să- mi întreţin familia.Cercetarea lui Peter a fost făcută cu sârguinţă de cărturar. Şi totuşi, l-am rugat să mai facă un efort pentru mine şi să scrie o prefaţă neceremonioasă acestui volum care e mai degrabă al lui decât al meu. Fii binecuvântat, dr. Reed, zic.
jdscott50's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed these short stories. These aren't sconce fiction except for one or two stories. It demonstates Vonnegut's mastery of storytelling. He could make a rock sound intersting. I love his introductions and epilogues. It really delves into the root of all of his stories and demonstates he doesn't take himself too seriously. These are the stories he had written before and during his first major novel, player piano. Many of the characters, plots and settings are revisited in depth in his later works. It's nice to read them here in their infancy. This book is more for the already established Vonnegut fan for that reason specifically. Fab lines:
It proves that the short story, because of its phsiological and psychological effects on a human being, is more closely related to Buddhist styles of meditation than it is to any other form of narrative entertainment...a Buddhist cat-nap
Reading a novel, War and Peace for example, is no Catnap. Because a novel is so long, reading one is like being married forever to somebody nobody knows or cares about.
It proves that the short story, because of its phsiological and psychological effects on a human being, is more closely related to Buddhist styles of meditation than it is to any other form of narrative entertainment...a Buddhist cat-nap
Reading a novel, War and Peace for example, is no Catnap. Because a novel is so long, reading one is like being married forever to somebody nobody knows or cares about.