I've read a lot of Vonnegut, but not this one somehow, and now two of the writers from Cracked have started a Vonnegut book club podcast so I figured I'd catch up. I especially like that, although both of them are huge Vonnegut fans, they discuss not just the beautiful parts of the books, but also the parts that haven't aged well, or where he could have done better. (In this book, I was underwhelmed by Beatrice's character in general, and there's a bit in the jungles of Africa that really wasn't necessary.)
I had honestly forgotten that reading Vonnegut is just about equal parts "ahaha, OH THE SATIRE," and feeling like you've been kicked right in the chest. Ouch. Damn it, Kurt.
Recapping this book would be a nightmare, but it's very Vonnegut-y; there is an invasion from Mars, there is some stuff about joining the army and literally having your mind wiped away, there is some religious satire, there is Trafalmadore, and there is a lot of meditation on the meaningless of life -- just try your best to love the people (or aliens) around you. The book essentially comes down in the same place that Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy does; there is no meaning of life, we are all a series of accidents, nothing is fair, humans are ridiculously short-sighted and self-centered, and probably aliens are controlling everything everywhere anyway. But it's a great story.
Vonnegut's writing style is so beautiful and raw and unique, and his use of language is so musical, and his imagery is so vivid. He just uses words so well. I am usually not a fan of books where everyone is miserable or hateful, and everyone ends up badly, but Vonnegut makes it worth the struggle.
Grade: A
#80 in 2016
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