Slaughterhouse Five was the first book that I read by Kurt Vonnegut, and definitely not the last. It's books like this that I've discovered that makes reading the 1001 list worthwhile for me.
A bizarre, but fascinating story of Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who witnessed the fire bombing of Dresden. Pilgrim was a prisoner of war, abducted by aliens, works as an optometrist after the war, and time travels throughout the book.
An anti-war book, which I guess could be described as science fiction, jumps from place to place - one minute Billy is a prisoner of war, the next minute he is in a zoo in Tralfamadore, the next minute he is with his wife. I found it to be a very funny book. Billy's reaction to death is typically, "So it goes". Apparently the phrase "So it goes" appears in the book 106 times. Without going through and counting, that sounds pretty accurate to me.
I found Slaughterhouse Five to be a very powerful and funny book. Vonnegut's attitude toward both the war, and the meaning of life is evident throughout the book, but done in a way that is a style that is different. The book is also filled with great characters - Billy Pilgrim, Montana Wildhack, and Kilgore Trout. I imagine this book isn't for everyone, and it's a book that you'll either love or hate. Personally, I loved it, but can see how other people wouldn't. So it goes.
I recently finished Breakfast of Champions, which allowed Vonnegut to air his opinions on life, war, racism, sex, and love in his typical offbeat way. It's another humorous take on life, featuring aging sci-fi writer Kilgore Trout. It's the type of book that is hard to put down once you pick it up, complete with illustrations.
At times it's laugh out loud funny, at times it's a little sad, at times it's a bit profane, and at times it can leave you wondering just what you are reading. It's definitely not your typical novel, but it's definitely worth reading.
Maybe Vonnegut is a little bit crazy, but I can't wait to read more books by him. On the surface it seems like crazy, but funny, ramblings, but the message is there. I want to say that this is the funnies book that I've read, or even the funniest book that I've read by Vonnegut, but I can't.
I'd have to give that award to God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian, which was an even quicker read. As a reporter for the afterlife, Vonnegut, with the assistance of Dr. Kevorkian, interviews famous people from the gates of heaven. From Sir Isaac Newton, to James Earl, to Shakespeare. It's definitely a short and worthwhile read.
My ratings:
Slaughterhouse Five: 5 stars
Breakfast of Champions: 4 1/2 stars
God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian: 4 stars
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