I spent a lot of my life in war zones and a meaningful amount of it mouthing the Serenity Prayer. Vonnegut's politics were quite different from mine, but he is one of my utmost heroes. I'd love to have lit him a Pall Mall.
If you don't know this, I think you and other readers here will enjoy it - Vonnegut on telling stories:
Vonnegut at his best- playing with the narrative expectations of his audience at every turn. His work prior to this was fairly linear in nature; nothing after this would be.
I thought about writing you a comment saying I read the book in my teens and thought it was foundational then, but then I read a few comments that said something similar and figured I would just write a comment saying I had noticed other people had said more or less the same thing. The comment section sympathizes.
It’s one of those books that people find quite meaningful, and they often first read it at an impressionable age. Then again, this was my first time through it and I found it quite meaningful as well.
Haha - he used the phrase “the weather sympathized” several times in one of his books (Dead Eye Dick? I don’t think it was SH5.) He explicitly explained at one point that he was being sarcastic - the weather actually never sympathizes. I loved Vonnegut in those days (I’ve since learned that Russian novelists are more reliable guides.)
I love the book. Someone gave it to me when I was 15 and I've been reading and rereading it steadily every since. I created a mock Tralfamadorian out of a plumber's helper, which I used when I taught it to College Freshman English classes. They always got a kick out of it. One thing about the book that does bother me though. Vonnegut relies on David Irving's book on Dresdent to fill in some facts about what happened; it gets quoted by Billy's hospital roommate. This is the same David Irving who became a major Holocaust denier, and was successfully sued by Deborah Lipstadt for libel because of it. Obviously Irving's Holocaust denial phase came years after Vonnegut wrote SH5. Still, it's distrubing and I wish somehow that Vonnegut had addressed this somehow--unless he did and I missed it?
I’m not sure if he did. But I don’t think we should be accountable for the beliefs of everyone we cite or source, regardless of how offensive those beliefs might be. Had Vonnegut advocated Irving’s work, that might be another matter.
A fellow member of our church is writing a history of the “serenity prayer.” As you note here, he says it’s a lot more complicated than we (mostly) think.
I read this when I was young and I will admit, it was hard to get through for me. I like Vonnegut but had to take this with a grain of salt. I also read A Grain of Wheat and kind of had a similar feeling. Maybe I am too old anymore and have a harder time understanding. I am up to date on your list but waiting on a few from my library. Just finished The Apology by Jimin Han which I enjoyed immensely. Not on your list. I read Canticle for Leibowitz, which I found interesting. I like trying new styles of writing.
Some I enjoy, some not so much. But that is why we read, isn’t it?
I read this in 2002 or 2003 when I was working on a US army base in Germany. I really was impressed by it, but it's scary to realize that I'd forgotten just about everything besides "and so it goes".
Unfortunately, yes. It's frustrating, though because up until I was 13, I was very good at remembering books down to silly details. When I was about 25, I came up with a template for writing a little bit about books I'd just read, and boy, how I wish I would have kept up doing that! 🤣
I spent a lot of my life in war zones and a meaningful amount of it mouthing the Serenity Prayer. Vonnegut's politics were quite different from mine, but he is one of my utmost heroes. I'd love to have lit him a Pall Mall.
If you don't know this, I think you and other readers here will enjoy it - Vonnegut on telling stories:
https://youtu.be/oP3c1h8v2ZQ?si=pvZQwcFLADQRmVji
That Vonnegut bit on the shape of stories is excellent.
He was a fascinating individual. This is worth your time if you can find it: https://www.the-tls.co.uk/arts/film/kurt-vonnegut-unstuck-in-time-film-review-guy-stevenson/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC3q__8hPv1gI-fxPgg1dMAOuX0rN&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3qv0MwbvTg11cCapF7rRnXgse8HCkJo1nTFczQtXfngA9jNjBUOgOxoCPIMQAvD_BwE
That’s awesome. Thanks for pointing it out.
Vonnegut at his best- playing with the narrative expectations of his audience at every turn. His work prior to this was fairly linear in nature; nothing after this would be.
This was my introduction to his work. I’m eager to read more.
I recommend the Library of America editions of his writings as well as his Collected Stories volume.
I thought about writing you a comment saying I read the book in my teens and thought it was foundational then, but then I read a few comments that said something similar and figured I would just write a comment saying I had noticed other people had said more or less the same thing. The comment section sympathizes.
It’s one of those books that people find quite meaningful, and they often first read it at an impressionable age. Then again, this was my first time through it and I found it quite meaningful as well.
I love the Vonnegutesque comment!
I am in that camp as well btw.
Haha - he used the phrase “the weather sympathized” several times in one of his books (Dead Eye Dick? I don’t think it was SH5.) He explicitly explained at one point that he was being sarcastic - the weather actually never sympathizes. I loved Vonnegut in those days (I’ve since learned that Russian novelists are more reliable guides.)
I love the book. Someone gave it to me when I was 15 and I've been reading and rereading it steadily every since. I created a mock Tralfamadorian out of a plumber's helper, which I used when I taught it to College Freshman English classes. They always got a kick out of it. One thing about the book that does bother me though. Vonnegut relies on David Irving's book on Dresdent to fill in some facts about what happened; it gets quoted by Billy's hospital roommate. This is the same David Irving who became a major Holocaust denier, and was successfully sued by Deborah Lipstadt for libel because of it. Obviously Irving's Holocaust denial phase came years after Vonnegut wrote SH5. Still, it's distrubing and I wish somehow that Vonnegut had addressed this somehow--unless he did and I missed it?
I’m not sure if he did. But I don’t think we should be accountable for the beliefs of everyone we cite or source, regardless of how offensive those beliefs might be. Had Vonnegut advocated Irving’s work, that might be another matter.
Agreed
And now I must read it for the first time ever. Thank you for this enthralling introduction to a classic I’ve somehow missed.
You’re in for a treat!
Thank you.
In decades, no one has made me want to pick up Slaughterhouse 5 again until now.
Your review shines light on what I missed in "trying" to read it in high school: EVERYTHING.
Missed an ally, too.
I have always despised the "Serenity Prayer", particularly as a child.
Took me years to formulate for myself why:
Citing "wisdom to know the difference"
is NOT serenity, but acquiescence.
Proof: ***nobody*** calls it the Courage Prayer.
And, Jesus never evinced this conscience-salving cowardice that we all placate ourselves with.
Not even thru sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane. "Thy will be done" is action borne by love.
I'm feeling pretty sheepish with my not getting it.
Your review shows Vonnegut's painting in new light. I need look at it some more.
Well, there’s more than one angle on that prayer, as the story shows. And Billy’s no hero for his resignation. Quite the opposite.
A fellow member of our church is writing a history of the “serenity prayer.” As you note here, he says it’s a lot more complicated than we (mostly) think.
Pardon, if i were tasked with that, it would not be a history, but an indictment.
I read this when I was young and I will admit, it was hard to get through for me. I like Vonnegut but had to take this with a grain of salt. I also read A Grain of Wheat and kind of had a similar feeling. Maybe I am too old anymore and have a harder time understanding. I am up to date on your list but waiting on a few from my library. Just finished The Apology by Jimin Han which I enjoyed immensely. Not on your list. I read Canticle for Leibowitz, which I found interesting. I like trying new styles of writing.
Some I enjoy, some not so much. But that is why we read, isn’t it?
Exactly! It’s part of the experience, tasting the table to see what’s good.
Gosh, it’s been 40 years—your great intro made me order a new copy. I’ll be back to read the rest of your review when I’ve reread the book!
You’ll have to check back and let us know how it hit you this time.
I read this in 2002 or 2003 when I was working on a US army base in Germany. I really was impressed by it, but it's scary to realize that I'd forgotten just about everything besides "and so it goes".
I think that’s pretty typical for reading, except a handful of books.
Unfortunately, yes. It's frustrating, though because up until I was 13, I was very good at remembering books down to silly details. When I was about 25, I came up with a template for writing a little bit about books I'd just read, and boy, how I wish I would have kept up doing that! 🤣
I get it.
Thanks, Joel. Made me want to read it again.
This was my first time through. I was so impressed I immediately read it again.
Fantastic!!! I need to revisit this novel, which I’ve already read twice.
I read it twice, once right after the other—just to make sure I followed it.
New subcriber here. I love this review and can't wait to participate here. Congrats on building a great community.
It’s amazing how relevant literature, even apparently fantastical literature like SHF, can be to our lives.
When I was in Iraq my “wisdom” was simple: if you can hear it, your problems are over, but also if you can’t hear it, your problems are over.
A stoic acceptance.
Wonderful. Thank you!