Reviews

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

clairedrown's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ashtinballard's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

jrdndllla's review against another edition

dark funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

oliviasholmes's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

carbon_monoxide's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense 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

5.0

willjf's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

scytmo's review against another edition

2.0

I’m afraid I was unmoved and a little bored by this. I thought that the time travel was clumsy and lazy, and the experiences with the Tralfamadorians were shallow and clichéd. Perhaps it’s because I read a lot of science fiction and these types of plot mechanic have been done with more depth and nuance countless times since Slaughterhouse Five was written. Perhaps it’s just showing it’s age. I also didn't connect with any of the characters - Billy Pilgrim was just a little too glib for me to relate to. The observations about war are still pertinent, and still have impact. So the book still has something to say. It just wasn’t for me.

kludasch's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.75

elizabethfisher's review against another edition

5.0

So it goes.

dnandrews797's review against another edition

3.0

This book was a bit odder than my usual fare, but it was intriguing nonetheless. The use of achronological storytelling to heighten the tension built by the time travel themes was a great idea. The central themes that nothing matters because everything is predestined was a little bit tragic, but the bittersweet moments in between where like stained glass windows in a dark church. A lovely little story if a little too existential for me.