Scan barcode
dimandra's review
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
1.5
jessmcall's review against another edition
3.0
Most of these stories were so super random but I enjoyed quite a few. There is just something about Vonnegut's writing that captures me from the beginning. I always want to know where the story is headed because oftentimes it surprises me. Overall, not every story was my favorite but I do enjoy his short stories.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
3.0
Pre-science-fiction Vonnegut. From the days when he was a nobody and sold stories to periodicals just to keep food on the table. "Souvenir" is probably the best one in the bunch.
skttrbrn's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent collection of Vonnegut's short fiction, demonstrating the evolution of both his style as a writer and also his personal perspectives and ethical standpoints. It is pleasing to see in the afterword that he recanted some of the moderately sexist notions in three of the stories and edited them accordingly. It was enjoyable to return several times to stories of bandleader Helmholtz at Lincoln High School, like checking in on an old friend. The collection is fairly heavy on themes of war and drama, with only a few brief moments of sci-fi.
night_owl's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I enjoy the short fiction a bit more than his novels. Even though many of these are admittedly raw and amateurish and came early in his career before he had developed any confidence or distinctive style, they have punch and show glimpses of his storytelling acumen. Many of his novels, even the very brief ones, feel like overblown short stories that either meander aimlessly or belabor certain points anyway, so getting bite-sized morsels is a bit refreshing.
paulmslima's review against another edition
3.0
Kurt is a creative and brilliant writer. Many of the short stories in this collection feel like they come to an abrupt end, like there should be more. I suppose it is, in many ways, the nature of the short story. But the stories are fun and intriguing, and the characters are well rounded. If you like short stories, this is a solid collection.
joshuabohnsack's review
2.0
As a longtime lover of Vonnegut, these stories fail to live up to even his standards. The best parts of the book are Vonnegut’s intro and coda in which he offers valuable incite to his writing.
anjilean's review
4.0
An interesting read as a Vonnegut lover, the short, article style definitely suits him well.
christalbotheindl's review against another edition
2.0
I wish I never read this. I didn't need to know what a racist and sexist writer Vonnegut used to be. Really yikes. The Preface by Peter Reed excuses it as a sign of the times; Vonnegut is more concerned about the quality of the stories than the contents being racist and sexist. I will say that all of these were published well after my great-grandparents and grandparents mixed races and all the women in my family of color worked outside the house. So while it may be a "sign of the times," let's be clear that it is the white times people are referring to.
If you are Japanese, Chinese, or Black - really don't read this. Indigenous folks, he refers to you as "redskins" at least once. Women, you are apparently to be manipulated by your husbands to do as they wish and that's that. Disappointing. I'm giving a second star for something that Vonnegut said in the Preface that might make me a better writer and for no other reason.
If you are Japanese, Chinese, or Black - really don't read this. Indigenous folks, he refers to you as "redskins" at least once. Women, you are apparently to be manipulated by your husbands to do as they wish and that's that. Disappointing. I'm giving a second star for something that Vonnegut said in the Preface that might make me a better writer and for no other reason.
torts's review against another edition
5.0
Glorious. A lot of these stories seem to suggest the type of writer Vonnegut would become with his later novels. (Similar themes and locations and character names and whatnot.) But what I really liked about these stories was how different they were from what I usually expected from Vonnegut--no aliens, no time travel, nothing particularly science-fictiony. Not only that, but almost every single story has a happy or humorous ending. Apparently he hadn't started with the heavyhanded depressing humanist messages yet. Except in 2BR02B...which was futuristic and depressing in a typically Vonnegutty fashion...but still a little more grounded in human drama than his later stuff, I think.