Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Breakfast of Champions

Having loved Cat's Cradle last year, I was pretty excited to read more Vonnegut and plumped for Breakfast of Champions. It didn't jive with me in the same way unfortunately. The book was undoubtedly inventive and generally fun to read, but its shtick tested my patience as I went on. It just felt a bit... directionless? Idunno, I'm sure it was going over my head or something. Also the repeated use of the N word was really jarring, particularly as it was difficult to say how it was necessary for the story being told in any way whatsoever. So yeah, a bit disappointed overall. Even though there is value in it, it just didn't come together for me.

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abbyomlor's review against another edition

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adventurous funny slow-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

4.5

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lizsmartie13's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

ha. ha ha. why did I think me and my terminal dean winchester brain rot could read this and not go immediately and totally insane?

kilgore trout said only one man in this universe has free will and it isn’t you. bunny’s father said you can’t love men, only kill them. are you just a character in a book by somebody who wants to write about somebody who is suffering all the time? you are here, you are here, you are here. are you kilgore trout or are you kazak the dog? do you want to kill your creator or run from him? who do you hate more, your father for hurting you or your mother for leaving you? why can’t you get out? when will the snake stop swallowing itself? when will you make order of chaos? when will you get better?

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raegan's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This was my first Vonnegut read, and while I don't necessarily feel like it was what I personally was looking for in a read, I must say it intrigued me to pick up another one of his novels. Personally, his writing style was a bit dry for me (reminds me of Orwell, for reference). The societal criticisms are delivered rather frankly before moving on--no frills-- so if that's your thing I think you'll enjoy it.

I do think this book is really unique, and I appreciate that. First of all, Vonnegut literally lays out what the plot will look like before it happens. Depending on the person, this could either be frustrating or intriguing. Second, I don't know if I've ever read fiction where the author literally inserts themself into the story, both to indicate the inspiration behind certain characters and plot points and as a sort of meta-agent in the plot. It was honestly a delightful experience as a reader, and I think adds a lot to the themes of free will and Vonnegut's perspective on art and authorship. Lastly, the illustrations. They aren't usually necessary to one's understanding of the book, but add a lot to the tone/voice and the comedic style. Some of the illustrations themselves made me giggle.

Overall, I think this book was not exactly what I was expecting, but I also can't say I was entirely disappointed. It's humorous and silly but simultaneously gives an interesting perspective on the classic criticisms of American society and human nature in general, despite some of them feeling a bit overbaked (I remind myself, this was the 70s). I generally enjoyed myself.

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