Reviews

Vonnegut writes himself into a category that remains unmatched by any other book I’ve come across. The flow of the narrative never ventures into irrelevance, every detail is related to the novel’s larger ideas. He presents descriptions that initially appear as diversions but that are really part of a plot orchestrated so masterfully that these diversions work to prop up the main themes as well as further the conversational tone. For example, when describing the appearances of German soldiers who captured Billy, Vonnegut spends a sentence mentioning the clothes stolen off dead soldiers and the soldier’s lost motivation. Though this description is brief (only a sentence), it says: war produces no winners, doesn’t provide for people, and forces people to make tough choices without giving it a second thought. So it goes. Vonnegut then goes on to describe the colonial’s boots, seamlessly moving the narrative on to thoughts of Adam and Eve, and continues the pattern throughout the novel. Having the plot presented in such a conversational almost lazy manner helps the reader reference back to the original conversation Vonnegut had with Mary. It also lets the book deal with heavy-handed subject matter in a way that isn’t overbearing or preachy. Overall, this book is masterfully created and a personal favorite of mine.

ellieworm's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A meaningful book about the meaninglessness of existence. There’s a deliberate detached style to the narrative and character development that somehow adds this eerily personable quality. Tragedies, on both an individual and international scale, are described in a quiet and factual way - and so it goes- that makes it engaging and intriguing. I liked it!

kristie_beth's review against another edition

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dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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