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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
maybe i have a soft spot in my heart for kurt vonnegut but truly this is one of the most touching books ive read. when reading this a lot of bad things have been going on in the world and much of them affect my life but kurt always has a perspective that makes it seem a little more barrable, the quotation of "this too shall pass away" is very profound in a moment of strife and bigotry but he follows it up with the dream of something better that will be sustained.
throughout this book he reflects on his life, the life of his loved ones, and how loss and strife has been a profound part of his life. anyone who experienced the horror of WW2 and the firebombing of dresden would have a right to be cynical and think the worst of humanity. but he doesn't much like in slaughter house 5 he looks at the good parts and he find pleasure and love in the mundane act of walking to the store for an envelope.
there was so much to love about this book but the quote that i love most is this.
"I got a sappy letter from a woman a while back. She knew I was sappy, too, which is to say a northern Democrat. She was pregnant, and she wanted to know if it was a mistake to bring an innocent little baby into a world this bad.
I replied that what made being alive almost worthwhile for me was the saints I met, people behaving unselfishly and capably. They turned up in the most unexpected places. Perhaps you, dear reader, are or can become a saint for her sweet child to meet.
I believe in original sin. I also believe in original virtue. Look around!"
the world is pretty bad but original virtue lives within all of us and we all can be saints for our fellow humans, we just have to look around and be that for each other.
throughout this book he reflects on his life, the life of his loved ones, and how loss and strife has been a profound part of his life. anyone who experienced the horror of WW2 and the firebombing of dresden would have a right to be cynical and think the worst of humanity. but he doesn't much like in slaughter house 5 he looks at the good parts and he find pleasure and love in the mundane act of walking to the store for an envelope.
there was so much to love about this book but the quote that i love most is this.
"I got a sappy letter from a woman a while back. She knew I was sappy, too, which is to say a northern Democrat. She was pregnant, and she wanted to know if it was a mistake to bring an innocent little baby into a world this bad.
I replied that what made being alive almost worthwhile for me was the saints I met, people behaving unselfishly and capably. They turned up in the most unexpected places. Perhaps you, dear reader, are or can become a saint for her sweet child to meet.
I believe in original sin. I also believe in original virtue. Look around!"
the world is pretty bad but original virtue lives within all of us and we all can be saints for our fellow humans, we just have to look around and be that for each other.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was told, after beginning the book, that it was the wrong Vonnegut to begin with.
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Four stars because in certain spots the writing is autobiographically revelatory, succinct snippets that give readers insight into the inner workings of Vonnegut's mind and family history. There is sort of a weird fictional plot interspersed throughout featuring Vonnegut mainstay Kilgore Trout (a figure who is a sort of proxy for the author in a lot of his books), but I did not find those bits compelling. For the non-completist, I think skimming Timequake could still provide a great deal of entertainment and wisdom. It's all a little disjointed anyway, and the chapters are short enough to do this pretty effectively.