Currently reading
Pale Fire: A Poem in Four Cantos by John Shade
Pale Fire
Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
Under Stones
The Erotic Potential of My Wife
A Corner of White
Winter's Bone
Progress:
99 %
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders
The Beetle
Wreck This Journal
Slaughterhouse-Five
I really enjoyed this, and highly recommend it for others like me who are looking for an introduction to Vonnegut. It's a quick, easy read while still containing plenty of meaty subject matter and metaphor. There's also a high enough "weird" quotient to keep life interesting! What I find fascinating about this book is the unique balance Vonnegut strikes between seeming extremes: The subject matter is grim, but the tale is told lightly and with humour. The writing style is casual and direct, yet there is plenty of metaphor and room for interpretation.I think the one thing that prevented this from being a five star book for me was a lack of emotional punch. Vonnegut uses a time travel conceit to flag major events long before you read the description of them. While this makes the book a lighter, easier read, it does mean that there are no surprises. Also, since you're hearing about events from someone who has themself disconnected from the reality of them, there isn't a high level of emotional investment possible. Regardless, it's still a highly worthwhile read.I won't dissect the content here, since I'm about to participate in a discussion on this for a group read (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/908197-details-group-read-june2012), but let me assure you that there is plenty to discuss and dissect, despite it being quite a short book.
