Customer Reviews

Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five (Barron's Book Notes)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought this book was too science fiction. The planet Tralfamadore and time traveling seemed to block out any useful theme the book might have. The book changes time too frequently and in a confusing way. It is not even tied together in the end. Maybe it is just because I do not especially like science fiction. I expected Slaughterhouse-Five to have a strong anti-war theme, but it turned out to be a science fiction book.

The time jumps are dizzying. Still I always remember Vonnegut characters vividly, I love strange characters.

vonnegut really goes beyond the call when he writes S.H.5. i enjoyed the changes of time and the vonnegut style that effects the whole sense. truly a good read for those of a higher learning.

This isn't a science fiction book. This isn't an allegorical book about inner strength.If you think this after having read it, you can't read between the lines. This is a book about war. A book about what war does to people.It throws young boys and civilians into the meatgrinder. It leaves wounds that never heal in the minds of those who survived.It's about showing the harsh reality behind all the hollow patriotic and propagandistic phrases. No more,no less.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. And when I saw the movie, I was amazed. They covered everything and beautifully.

I read this book at the perfect age of 17. I was a lost young man searching for religion. This book gave it to me. Although Vonnegut uses Billy Pilgrim's coming "unstuck in time" as a plotline, he also uses it to display a fatalistic view of the world where moments are structured. For those who have shunned religion and its confines, this book is perfect. I also love the fact that Vonnegut seems to use this book as a way to laugh at humanity's desensitization. In my top 5 books, this one is #2(behind only The Great Gatsby) and I urge all of you to read it.

Slaughter House-Five, is a "slipping" account of what Vonnegut went through in his life. I use the word "slipping" because there are no"stuck" moments. This book is the best book that I have ever read. To anyone who likes sci-fi, this book is highly recomended by myself and my class mates here at Bakersfield College. Sincerely, D.F.

I don't like the phrase "moral scientist" even though that is what's plastered on the back of each of this genuis' novels--if you can call them that. This book rises to the top of Vonnegut's art at times, jumping in and out of time, under it, over it, inside it, and like babies we drink his bottle, as Vonnegut is so wise, and we so niave. But, the novel fails on many levels: there prevails a general inconsistency between the main character's understanding of time, and Vonnegut's version of time, as if Billy does not understand his own situation, although we are explicitly told that he does. What's more, Vonnegut does not slice through his characters with the same violence found in the masterpiece Breakfast of Champions, nor does he tie together the fascinating details he uncovers as the novel progresses. In all, it's fun, sexy, jazzy. The "thundering moral message" won't electrocute you, but it's great if you want some noise.

Billy Pilgram spent most of his WWII experience in Dresden, Germany, so did Vonnegut. Vonnegut mixes reality with fiction in a manner that has made him famous. The mixture of actual events, scientific possibilities, and bizzare twists of fiction make this a fabulous novel. Nothing compares with the wonderful delusions of Kilgore Trout and the bumbling nature of Billy Pilgram. The reader will fall in love with the hopeless Billy and question his sanity as he heads to Tralfamador.

I thought that this book was very strange. It focuses on the main character Billy Pilgrim's life as a youngster in the war. It was strange because the book will jump from one point in time to another. It was pretty interesting. I thought it would all come together at the end but to me it felt like it just ended without any reason. Maybe that's just me. Billy Pilgrim did live an interesting life that is what kept me going...trying to figure out was else happened in his life. Maybe you'll enjoy the book much more than I did.