A review by crin_d1nk
God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut

challenging emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut is, like all of his works, an imaginative frenzy with profound themes that remain relevant today. The story delves into social class warfare, the importance of kindness, the burnout that often accompanies social service, and how our family histories shape our present situations.

This is only the second book by Kurt Vonnegut that I’ve read. Compared to Cat’s Cradle, I found this one to be more chaotic. The narrative primarily focuses on Eliot Rosewater but frequently veers off into tangents involving various side characters connected to the Rosewater family. At times, I’ll admit, these tangents felt superfluous, and I struggled to stay engaged with them. However, there were moments of clarity where I understood how these seemingly disconnected events came together to convey a deeper message.

In general, I think Vonnegut’s writing style is a matter of personal preference. You either enjoy the chaotic storytelling where you have to take your hands off the steering wheel and let the journey unfold, or you don’t. His themes can also feel heavy-handed at times. Nonetheless, I think the fact that his books address social issues that are still being discussed today—60 years later—is a testament to their lasting relevance.

Side note: I’ve learned that the book was adapted into a musical, which seems to have been quite successful. I’m really intrigued by how this was accomplished.