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kolbyfeesh's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book dragged on and on for the first couple hundred pages. I nearly didn’t finish it a few times over; Vonnegut was determined to write a story that focused on life, with every character and fact having equal importance. (pg215)
Since he was actively shunning storytelling, the story was difficult to engage with- the satirical framing of the issues of america was interesting, but nothing much *happened*. I will say that Trout’s short stories were an excellent plot device.
The ending absolutely blew me away. I was enthralled, through and through, and couldn’t put it down.The fourth wall break, along with the idea of philosophical zombies “thinking machines” driving Dwayne crazy hit home in a big way.
Since he was actively shunning storytelling, the story was difficult to engage with- the satirical framing of the issues of america was interesting, but nothing much *happened*. I will say that Trout’s short stories were an excellent plot device.
The ending absolutely blew me away. I was enthralled, through and through, and couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racial slurs
paulwesterberg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I am better now.
Word of honor: I am better now.
probably my least favorite vonnegut thus far—but also the kurt vonnegut, jr. narrator feature is simply peak. not sure if this was the perfect time of my life, or absolute worst time, for me to read this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Mental illness, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide, Transphobia, Rape, and Homophobia
joensign's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Rape, Suicide, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent
crabbynico's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This being my third Vonnegut novel, I knew roughly what to expect: tongue-in-cheek dark humor, a universal inter-connectedness, random asides with no point but enriching the world of the story.
At some point, I will review this more in depth when it is fresher in my mind. For now, I will say that this was a wild ride that goes almost nowhere, like a roller coaster making a loop, and is no less fun for it. There’s more slapstick here than some of his other works, the narration is at times absurd and there is rather heavy usage of some racial slurs and stereotypes. Yes, they are used to mock racist ways of thinking and the systems that support it, but it’s done in a very dry way that might not be immediately apparent to everyone. That’s not so much a criticism as a caution. There is also a smaller amount of similar content regarding homophobia and one thing near the end that is quite upsetting in that regard.
My big takeaway was mostly just feeling sorry for everyone involved. It wasn’t a bummer of a book by any means, with Vonnegut’s trademark absurdist humor providing the levity to float me through it all. That said, I would not relish another trip to the city of Midland, as it is a very bleak place.
At some point, I will review this more in depth when it is fresher in my mind. For now, I will say that this was a wild ride that goes almost nowhere, like a roller coaster making a loop, and is no less fun for it. There’s more slapstick here than some of his other works, the narration is at times absurd and there is rather heavy usage of some racial slurs and stereotypes. Yes, they are used to mock racist ways of thinking and the systems that support it, but it’s done in a very dry way that might not be immediately apparent to everyone. That’s not so much a criticism as a caution. There is also a smaller amount of similar content regarding homophobia and one thing near the end that is quite upsetting in that regard.
My big takeaway was mostly just feeling sorry for everyone involved. It wasn’t a bummer of a book by any means, with Vonnegut’s trademark absurdist humor providing the levity to float me through it all. That said, I would not relish another trip to the city of Midland, as it is a very bleak place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Mental illness
To put it bluntly: a violent hate crime is perpetrated on a man by his father, in the midst of a psychotic episode. While not deeply graphic, it is implied that his face is barely recognizable as a face afterwards. Also, a former convict waxes nostalgic about prison sex and fucking cows so—yeah, there’s that.johndougmike's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Violence
granolalezbian's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
meekumoh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First book of Vonnegut's I've finished. You can really tell he's been trying to unclog that pipe for a while (he says so in the prologue). His view of American humanity is both a wide lens yet steeped in underfoot ugliness. I can't say I enjoyed the commentary on racism but overall it was a provoking read. A little like being fed eight experimental meals at once. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Addiction, Death, Grief, Ableism, and Death of parent
krisroll's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I usually love Vonnegut, this one was very scattered. It kept my attention throughout the first half, but the last parts of the book I found myself skimming. I understand the nuances, but the ending was very hard to push through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Car accident, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Rape, Self harm, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Slavery, Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual content, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
zosiablue's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
We all know Vonnegut juxtaposes tragic and absurd because that's exactly what life is and through the first half of this, I thought - ah, we're going only absurd here, OK, I'm in. And then there was an astonishing perspective change that nailed me so hard I started crying! I'm not a crier and it came on so suddenly that I shocked myself. He does this every fucking time to me. What's this book about? A writer on a road trip to speak at an arts festival. What's this book about? The festival of everything (TM).
(Though I know what he's doing, the race stuff doesn't age well at all. That's worth more than a parenthetical for sure, but just a warning.)
(Though I know what he's doing, the race stuff doesn't age well at all. That's worth more than a parenthetical for sure, but just a warning.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexism, Classism, Suicide, and Grief
summermorning's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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: Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: War