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allie_schallert 's review for:
Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was a little unsure how I would enjoy this book after not loving The Sirens of Titan, and I wasn’t I wasn’t convinced of this book’s goal for almost half of it, especially when science fiction made an appearance. My mind and perspective broke open when I read, “So they were trying to re-invent themselves and their universe. Science fiction was a big help.”
This story is incredibly and tragically layered in its meanings of life, death, and living through and after death. I interpreted Billy Pilgrim as innocence, especially viewing WWII as the Vonnegut’s idea of a “Children’s Crusade.” Billy’s consistent nonchalance, from the remembering the war to getting married to having a mental breakdown etc, punches the reader harder with the level of trauma a child faced. Even as he reached personal and financial success decades later, it meant nothing. It was easier to be abducted by aliens and live in a safe bubble with a beautiful woman that you could easily express your grief to than to overcome the PTSD of war. The actual bombing of Dresden is such a small portion of the book, and it needs to be as to not sensationalize the “heroics” of war and to focus on the lifelong impact such events have on survivor. The genius of Vonnegut is also seen in the anecdotes and side characters sprinkled throughout the journey. Truly a thought-provoking novel.
This story is incredibly and tragically layered in its meanings of life, death, and living through and after death. I interpreted Billy Pilgrim as innocence, especially viewing WWII as the Vonnegut’s idea of a “Children’s Crusade.” Billy’s consistent nonchalance, from the remembering the war to getting married to having a mental breakdown etc, punches the reader harder with the level of trauma a child faced. Even as he reached personal and financial success decades later, it meant nothing. It was easier to be abducted by aliens and live in a safe bubble with a beautiful woman that you could easily express your grief to than to overcome the PTSD of war. The actual bombing of Dresden is such a small portion of the book, and it needs to be as to not sensationalize the “heroics” of war and to focus on the lifelong impact such events have on survivor. The genius of Vonnegut is also seen in the anecdotes and side characters sprinkled throughout the journey. Truly a thought-provoking novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, War
Moderate: Antisemitism