peter_gagne's review

Go to review page

I forgot how much I love Kurt Vonnegut's writing. This book was a great way to re-connect. Buy it. Read it. Love it.

richlizzard's review

Go to review page

dark funny reflective slow-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

bi4ncvx's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

johnbradley2's review

Go to review page

5.0

An excellent collection of Vonnegut war stories

heidisreads's review

Go to review page

5.0

This is Vonnegut's last work. After reading this, I officially (and sadly) had to say good bye. I savored every page of this book -- from the illustrations to the short stories and speeches. "The Commander's Desk" is my favorite here.

donnaadouglas's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

It's been so refreshing to read a collection of short stories. I can't remember the last time I did that. The fact that the stories were all connected by the common theme of war, inspired by Vonnegut's own experiences fighting in Europe, and as a POW in Dresden, where he witnessed the city's horrific firebombing, interested me all the more. I've been a WWII geek for a few years now, and I find war literature to be generally fascinating and chillingly beautiful.

Vonnegut's own unique vision blends well with visceral realism, and I feel that this makes his message even more hard-hitting: war sucks, ok!?!

This was my introduction to Vonnegut. I've been wanting to read something by him for a long time now, and going by 'Armageddon in Retrospect', I'm definitely going to read more!

QUOTATIONS I LIKED
"It is with some regret that I here besmirch the nobility of our airmen, but boys, you killed an appalling lot of women and children."

"Dresden, a beautiful city, built in the art spirit, symbol of an admirable heritage, so anti-Nazi that Hitler visited it but twice during his whole reign, food and hospital center so bitterly needed now - plowed under and salt strewn in the furrows."

deekabee's review

Go to review page

4.0

This book is hilarious in places and can bring you to tears in others. It is ALL Vonnegut! Through the pages in this book one can truly see that Vonnegut's time spent as a POW in Germany during WWII defined who he was thereafter. This is a must read for those that want to understand the man better.

twstdtink's review

Go to review page

4.0

A fitting end to an extraordinary man.

atmorrell's review

Go to review page

5.0

Amazing collection of short stories.

samharnold's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This is a collection of classic writings by Kurt Vonnegut. The short story nature of the book means that I did not enjoy this book as much as some of his others. This is down to personal preference though. The writing is as excellent as previous Vonnegut. A must if you like this author.