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jake_bondy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nostalgia_reader's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I needed a quick and mindless, yet succinctly truthful read, and knew that Vonnegut would give me just that. Slapstick certainly didn't disappoint. There was excellent balance between plot and "nonsense" (I put that in quotes, as nonsense is to be taken very seriously in Vonnegut's works), and I underlined many excellent aphorisms. The futuristic setting wasn't necessarily the most unique, but it was still very enjoyable and easy to follow, and possibly a tad bit inspirational for my Camp NaNo I'll be working on this year.
My favorite part about the story, though, was the focus on precociously smart kids. Although I wasn't a freakish twin, like the MC's in the story, I had my fair share of having to dumb myself down to accommodate societal norms and adult expectations when I was younger, so I did find the entire narrative quite believable and easy to relate to.
Highly recommended.
I needed a quick and mindless, yet succinctly truthful read, and knew that Vonnegut would give me just that. Slapstick certainly didn't disappoint. There was excellent balance between plot and "nonsense" (I put that in quotes, as nonsense is to be taken very seriously in Vonnegut's works), and I underlined many excellent aphorisms. The futuristic setting wasn't necessarily the most unique, but it was still very enjoyable and easy to follow, and possibly a tad bit inspirational for my Camp NaNo I'll be working on this year.
My favorite part about the story, though, was the focus on precociously smart kids. Although I wasn't a freakish twin, like the MC's in the story, I had my fair share of having to dumb myself down to accommodate societal norms and adult expectations when I was younger, so I did find the entire narrative quite believable and easy to relate to.
Highly recommended.
nic_blake's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
snsalyer's review against another edition
5.0
My first Vonnegut read. I remember laughing out loud in the middle of algebra class during a lecture. So what if people thought I was crazy this book is hilarious!
joshsharp's review against another edition
4.0
Why don't you take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut? Why don't you take a flying fuck at the moooooooooooon?
This was sadder than I remembered.
This was sadder than I remembered.
alan_m's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the premise of this one, and I think Vonnegut does a better job of staying "on-task" here than in many of his other reads. That said, it occasionally crosses the line into corny.
eekoftheweek's review against another edition
3.75
Reading Vonnegut hits different in the year of our lord 2025.
The afterlife is but a miserable Turkey Farm; this life--miserable, wonderful, absurd, and challenging as it is--is all you get.
Hi ho.
The afterlife is but a miserable Turkey Farm; this life--miserable, wonderful, absurd, and challenging as it is--is all you get.
Hi ho.
colinlusk's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this in about 1991. It was my first Vonnegut and as soon as I read it I knew I had to read everything he'd written. And I did. And his son's book too. Coming back to it now, I can see its not as strong as some of his other work, but I still remember that excitement all the same. The crazy ideas and the way he expressed them. It's great stuff. Not 5 stars but great stuff all the same.
daughterofpancakes's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5