Author: Kurt Vonnegut
First published: 1963
Add it: Goodreads, The Book Depository
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
I don't seem to be very lucky in this autumn's book choices. But it's mainly my own fault. Take Cat's Cradle: Slaughterhouse Five might have given me the idea of how little I would enjoy another Vonnegut's book, but I resisted my own intuition and succumbed to public opinion, which praises this book as the most wonderful piece of writing ever. Result - frustration.
I don't want to say that there's nothing appealing in this book. I gave it 2 stars for some really interesting ideas. Like religion which admits that it is lies or "ice-nine" (although there are some technical problems with this). These ideas are very powerful, but I totally hate the way they were integrated into the narrative, if it can be called narrative in the first place. The plot line, the characters, the dialogues - all is ridiculous and hard to comprehend, let alone get connected to. The style also adds to the picture, making the book even more irritating for me. Vonnegut apparently wants to be funny, but although I see the places where he takes pains to joke, they totally fail to get me. There's also quite a few "philosophical thoughts" packed in the novel, which are rather obtrusive and sometimes weird.
In my book:
Maybe that's I that is a problem in our relationship, not Vonnegut, but we clearly don't get on very well. Sorry, Kurt!
I am getting more and more nervous to read any Vonnegut. He is such a praised author yet many bloggers find him nothing special. I bought Slaughterhouse Five recently and since it's such a tiny book I'd like to give it a go soon.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least he's a fast read, that's true :) Looking forward to see if you like it :)
DeleteLOL, I really don't think I'm going to like Slaughterhouse Five, though I do have it on my stacks. I bought Galapagos in hopes that it'll be a better start to our relationship. We'll see!
ReplyDeleteGalapagos... Haven't even hear about it. But I'm pretty sure Kurt and I are on a loooong break right now, so it doesn't really matter :) Good luck to you and may your relationship with him be more enjoyable than mine!
DeleteI absolutely fanatically adored Vonnegut when I was in High School but that was (cough,cough) many years ago and I barely remember what it was that AI loved so I am looking forward to jumping back in to hs work and seeing if any sparks reignite.
ReplyDelete