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ben_sutter's review against another edition
2.0
Lets face it - many of the stories in this book are just plain pox - particularly the first handful.
However, the collection is connected by a very intriguing theme, with the vast majority of characters being persons of low self-esteem seeking external validation for themselves.
With recurrent plots of unfulfilled persons seeking hollow goals, obsessed with fame, shallow materialism, compulsiveness and a willingness to lie and deceive to maintain false images of themselves - this book is a series of encounters with characters who are trying to run away from themselves and failing. People allowing themselves be defined by their jobs, their clothes, their wealth and ultimately losing meaning in life.
Whilst the above theme is interesting, the stories are rather simple and pulpy by-and-large. With nearly all the stories set in homely, mid-20th century American towns and mirroring the consumer-driven materialism of that age, the story titled "2BR02B" stands out as an exception to the rest of the collection - a brief disturbing tale of a futuristic, failing utopia which points forward to the great later Vonnegut works.
However, the collection is connected by a very intriguing theme, with the vast majority of characters being persons of low self-esteem seeking external validation for themselves.
With recurrent plots of unfulfilled persons seeking hollow goals, obsessed with fame, shallow materialism, compulsiveness and a willingness to lie and deceive to maintain false images of themselves - this book is a series of encounters with characters who are trying to run away from themselves and failing. People allowing themselves be defined by their jobs, their clothes, their wealth and ultimately losing meaning in life.
Whilst the above theme is interesting, the stories are rather simple and pulpy by-and-large. With nearly all the stories set in homely, mid-20th century American towns and mirroring the consumer-driven materialism of that age, the story titled "2BR02B" stands out as an exception to the rest of the collection - a brief disturbing tale of a futuristic, failing utopia which points forward to the great later Vonnegut works.
ajnewsom's review
3.0
I love a good short story, and Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favorite writers. I remember reading "Welcome to the Monkeyhouse" the first time and just loving the stories. He was able to get so much across in just a pages. I have gone back and read that collection a few times since and the stories are just as good now as they were back then. Hell, I even got one of my sons to read (and enjoy) the stories.
It has been a while since I read anything by Vonnegut, but one quickly recognizes his voice/writing style when you read the stories within this collection. Overall, "Monkeyhouse" is more consistently impressive in it's stories, but there are some in this collection which can stand with those stories. "Thanasphere" & "2BR02B" are classic Vonnegut sci-fi/futuristic stories. The first telling the story of a astronaut who can here the voices of the dead. The second story of a future with population cap and the willingness of people to volunteer to end their lives with the Federal Bureau of Termination.
There are also the classic Vonnegut love stories.."Runaways", "Lovers Anonymous", "A Night for Love", "Custom-Made Bride" (to name a few). Like other stories, his vision of love and relationships have a twist. In "Runaways" two teenagers run away from home (hence the name) and are brought back by their parents and reprimanded for wanting to be together. Only after attempting to run away again and their parents acceptance of their relationship does the young couple decide that they are not ready for the relationship; they are too young.
As I stated earlier, the stories in this collection are not as consistent as they are in "Monkeyhouse", but it is definitely worth a read for the Vonnegut fan, or anyone who enjoys the ancient art of a good short story.
It has been a while since I read anything by Vonnegut, but one quickly recognizes his voice/writing style when you read the stories within this collection. Overall, "Monkeyhouse" is more consistently impressive in it's stories, but there are some in this collection which can stand with those stories. "Thanasphere" & "2BR02B" are classic Vonnegut sci-fi/futuristic stories. The first telling the story of a astronaut who can here the voices of the dead. The second story of a future with population cap and the willingness of people to volunteer to end their lives with the Federal Bureau of Termination.
There are also the classic Vonnegut love stories.."Runaways", "Lovers Anonymous", "A Night for Love", "Custom-Made Bride" (to name a few). Like other stories, his vision of love and relationships have a twist. In "Runaways" two teenagers run away from home (hence the name) and are brought back by their parents and reprimanded for wanting to be together. Only after attempting to run away again and their parents acceptance of their relationship does the young couple decide that they are not ready for the relationship; they are too young.
As I stated earlier, the stories in this collection are not as consistent as they are in "Monkeyhouse", but it is definitely worth a read for the Vonnegut fan, or anyone who enjoys the ancient art of a good short story.
clreimers's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
emilybooks's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say I was disappointed in this book. I guess I shouldn't have been. These are his early stories & they were written for somewhat mainstream magazines... I was just shocked (and a little bored) by how mainstream these stories were. There were a few that triggered a slightly emotional reaction on my part, but only in the way that Lifetime movies sometimes do...
spilled's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book more. The fact that I gave up trying to finish it says something. Sigh. In a hopeful way, it's good to know that even people who have extreme bouts of genius sometimes take time to get there, eh?
hyacinth_girl's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of short stories is a lovely portrayal of Americans from all walks of life. It was hilarious at times but also sad if you were to sit down and really think about some of the messages the stories are telling us. This was another winner for me, continuing my love for Vonnegut <3
jsilber42's review against another edition
3.0
Bagombo Snuff Box is a collection of early Vonnegut short stories. Most were originally published in magazines, most are not science fiction, and most, as Vonnegut himself freely admits, are not his best work. Kurt was still learning his craft during these stories, and it shows. If you want to read excellent Vonnegut short stories, go read "Welcome to the Monkey House".
Still, there are enough decent ones (especially in the later half of the collection) to make it worth a read for the Vonnegut completist, as his wit and essential humanity still shine through.
Still, there are enough decent ones (especially in the later half of the collection) to make it worth a read for the Vonnegut completist, as his wit and essential humanity still shine through.
arationalvein's review
3.0
*3.5 stars
This is not what you're going to expect from Vonnegut. The stories in this collection are his early work, meant for sale to magazines. They're pleasant enough, but have very little of the cynical humour of his novels.
This is not what you're going to expect from Vonnegut. The stories in this collection are his early work, meant for sale to magazines. They're pleasant enough, but have very little of the cynical humour of his novels.