slaughter-house five
17 journalers for this copy...
WOW! I couldn't put it down, read it in one day. A powerful anti-war message. I understand now, why it is on the banned books list though it shouldn't be. This book will truly open your eyes. so it goes.=======================================================
a little sample:
"Robert Kennedy, whose summer home is eight miles from the home I live in all year round, was shot two nights ago. He died last night. So it goes.
Martin Luther King was shot a month ago. He died too. So it goes.
And every day my Government gives me a count of the corpses created by military science in Vietnam. So it goes.
My father died many years ago now--of natural causes. So it goes. He was a sweet man. He was a gun nut, too. He left me his guns. They rust."
=========================================================
"Only on Earth is there any talk of free will."
sending on as a book rayparticipants:
outofreach - Australia/Intl *
Flaming-Ice - Kuwait/Intl *
BookHaven01 - Portugal/intl *
marko167 - Belgium/Intl *
Navig8r - UK/Intl *
CatharinaL - Finland/Intl *
RoryG - Finland/Intl *
iggi1812 - Scotland/Intl *
BenjyMouse - New Zealand/Intl *
jubby - Australia/Intl *
bluejazzyfish - UK/Intl *
cowgirl-up - Ohio, USA *
gothamgal - Ohio, USA
arugh48187 - Minnesota, USA *
PokPok - California, USA/Intl
firrantello - North Carolina, USA
BrookeH - New York, USA/Intl
creativeMGE - Maryland, USA/Intl *
AngelfireStar - Nebraska, USA
craftycomrade - Wisconsin, USA/Intl
Quez45 - New Jersey, USA *
colordiva02 - Connecticut, USA
Bibliocrates - Alabama, USA *book here
purplemoonmyst - Kentucky, USA
Rains-Arms - New Jersey, USA
icekween01 - Missouri, USA
ENJOY!!
Happy Bookcrossing!!!
Journal Entry 3 by icekween01 at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, May 9, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (5/9/2005 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in St. Louis, Missouri USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: sent to fellow bookcrosser outofreach to start the ray.
ENJOY!
Happy Bookcrossing!!
this little fellow arrived here today.
i have another two books to read before i will start this one but i don't think that it will take much time...
i have another two books to read before i will start this one but i don't think that it will take much time...
after the book traveled with me from australia to japan and finally to germany - i managed to read it here at my mum´s house and just finished it. slaughterhouse five reminded me a little of richard brautigan.
anyway, it was a fun read and i was enjoying the book a lot. i´m sure i will read a lot more vonnegut in the future. as icekween said, a powerful anti-war message.
i will send the book on to flaming-ice either this or next week.
anyway, it was a fun read and i was enjoying the book a lot. i´m sure i will read a lot more vonnegut in the future. as icekween said, a powerful anti-war message.
i will send the book on to flaming-ice either this or next week.
Recieved earlier today, thank you outofreach. I have six more rings/rays to read. For reasons beyond me, all rings and rays seem to arrive at the same time as if they're challenging me to read! I'll probably read this one soon, since it looks like a short read. Thanks for adding me to the ray, Icekween01 :-)
I have just finished this book about an hour ago. I thought it was a fun read, fun and deep at the same time. Usually deep books are just deep and serious.. and a little boring, but this one was different. I didn't really like Billy; he is too pessimistic, at least that's what I think. But the book was great, and I'm not surprised it's taught at schools. I think books with great messages like this one should be taught in schools all over the world. I hate wars and it's just good to read a book about a notion that you totally agree with. But it was a bit confusing to me. Maybe it's because I'm not a native English speaker, or maybe I didn't pay much attention, but the travels of Billy thru time were a little confusing to me.
Thank you for sharing, icekween, and thank you for passing the book, outofreach. I am sorry I kept the book for a long time, I just had lots of rings and rays, and thought I'd start with the big books before I read this. I will pass it to the next person on the list as soon as possible (probably by next week due to money shortage) Again, thank you for sharing :-)
Thank you for sharing, icekween, and thank you for passing the book, outofreach. I am sorry I kept the book for a long time, I just had lots of rings and rays, and thought I'd start with the big books before I read this. I will pass it to the next person on the list as soon as possible (probably by next week due to money shortage) Again, thank you for sharing :-)
i really liked this book too!
although i didn´t find this one as funny as the other ones by Vonnegut, it is quite a brilliant analysis os the terror of war...
i will send it today to marko167.
thanks a lot icekween01!
although i didn´t find this one as funny as the other ones by Vonnegut, it is quite a brilliant analysis os the terror of war...
i will send it today to marko167.
thanks a lot icekween01!
Arrived in post yesterday morning. Have heard so much about this book, am looking forward to reading it.
Wow! What an outstanding piece of literature.
Read it twice and will definitely go out and buy a copy for my PC. Certain parts of the style are so obviously effected by the time in which it was written (1969) but still a relevant book today. The central incident being the bombing of Dresden during World War II and how it is viewed afterwards. It is true that history is written by the victors in any war.
Read it twice and will definitely go out and buy a copy for my PC. Certain parts of the style are so obviously effected by the time in which it was written (1969) but still a relevant book today. The central incident being the bombing of Dresden during World War II and how it is viewed afterwards. It is true that history is written by the victors in any war.
Journal Entry 12 by marko167 at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, February 11, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (2/13/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the UK next. Enjoy.
Off to the UK next. Enjoy.
Journal Entry 13 by Navig8r from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, February 18, 2006
The book arrived while I was away on my hols, so sorry if there was a slight delay in the journal. I'll get to this one as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 14 by Navig8r from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, March 17, 2006
First of all, my apologies for keeping this book longer than I should have. Unfortunately life got in the way and caused a delay.
While I liked the book, I didn't think it was superb. I think I started reading with really high expectations, and they just weren't borne out for me. Although I did learn where the name of one of my favourite bands comes from: Billy Pilgrim.
I liked how the narrator was conscious of himself, and the part at the beginning about the story behind writing the book, but I found the character of Billy terminally confusing. Was he supposed to be mentally ill? Was it the war that drove him to it?
I did find the part of the book where it explicitly states that war is fought by children very poignant and I went back to read the passage a couple of times.
I actually think that Catch-22 has a more powerful anti-war message than this book, although I am more than willing to admit that I may have missed something that everyone else picks up on in Slaughter-House Five. I'm going to read some study guides to it and see if there was something glaring that I failed to notice.
I thought it was well-written, but too short, and suffered from lack of character development, but that the anti-war message was clear if diluted.
The book was mailed to the next reader in Finland yesterday.
While I liked the book, I didn't think it was superb. I think I started reading with really high expectations, and they just weren't borne out for me. Although I did learn where the name of one of my favourite bands comes from: Billy Pilgrim.
I liked how the narrator was conscious of himself, and the part at the beginning about the story behind writing the book, but I found the character of Billy terminally confusing. Was he supposed to be mentally ill? Was it the war that drove him to it?
I did find the part of the book where it explicitly states that war is fought by children very poignant and I went back to read the passage a couple of times.
I actually think that Catch-22 has a more powerful anti-war message than this book, although I am more than willing to admit that I may have missed something that everyone else picks up on in Slaughter-House Five. I'm going to read some study guides to it and see if there was something glaring that I failed to notice.
I thought it was well-written, but too short, and suffered from lack of character development, but that the anti-war message was clear if diluted.
The book was mailed to the next reader in Finland yesterday.
Journal Entry 15 by CatharinaL from Pirkkala, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Monday, March 20, 2006
Received the book today; thanks Navig8r! Will start reading asap.
[30/03] I finished reading Slaughterhouse Five today. It was smart, weird, extremely well-written and structured, but for some reason not a mind-blowing gosh-wow experience for me. I do like Vonnegut's style and I always marvel at the deep-penetrating irony... But there's also something quite beyond my definition that ends up troubling me, or actually starts to haunt me from the very beginning of each novel. If I had to put a finger on this mysterious quality, I'd say it's the particular Cold War zeitgeist, or rather, my lack of it as a reader that prevents me from fully picturing the setting and the cultural climate in which the books were written. Anyway, Slaughterhouse Five is definitely a masterpiece, quite as expected, and I'll be recommending it to those who haven't read it yet. Thanks for sharing it with us, Icekween01!
[06/04] Mailing to RoryG today.
[30/03] I finished reading Slaughterhouse Five today. It was smart, weird, extremely well-written and structured, but for some reason not a mind-blowing gosh-wow experience for me. I do like Vonnegut's style and I always marvel at the deep-penetrating irony... But there's also something quite beyond my definition that ends up troubling me, or actually starts to haunt me from the very beginning of each novel. If I had to put a finger on this mysterious quality, I'd say it's the particular Cold War zeitgeist, or rather, my lack of it as a reader that prevents me from fully picturing the setting and the cultural climate in which the books were written. Anyway, Slaughterhouse Five is definitely a masterpiece, quite as expected, and I'll be recommending it to those who haven't read it yet. Thanks for sharing it with us, Icekween01!
[06/04] Mailing to RoryG today.
The book arrived yesterday, but I had a long day at work and didn't feel like opening a computer. I have another ring before this, but I should be getting to this one shortly.
Definitely a book worth reading. I liked Vonnegut's style and this was the first book I've read that he's written, so I will read more. But there was something in the book that made me feel like an outsider. Or maybe it just was that Billy Pilgrim felt like an outsider in his own life. I didn't quite got any grasp of the book, although that might have more to do with my life situation at the moment than the actual book. The timing wasn't perfect.
I read some earlier comments and Navig8r said that Catch-22 had more powerful anti-war message than this book. For me, this book actually had more powerful message. But I guess for each their own.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this, and I'll send this on when I get the next person's address.
Edit 9.5.2006: Sorry for the delay. It was mainly due to address obtaining difficulties and my horrible work schedule (after 12 hours I didn't feel like running up to the post office). But the book is finally on its way. I sent it today to iggi1812.
I read some earlier comments and Navig8r said that Catch-22 had more powerful anti-war message than this book. For me, this book actually had more powerful message. But I guess for each their own.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this, and I'll send this on when I get the next person's address.
Edit 9.5.2006: Sorry for the delay. It was mainly due to address obtaining difficulties and my horrible work schedule (after 12 hours I didn't feel like running up to the post office). But the book is finally on its way. I sent it today to iggi1812.
Book has arrived safely. Thanks for making the effort to get to the post office Rory G.
This arrived to in the post with a fabulous postcard, direct Scotland.
Although this is a little book, I have 4 other bookrings ahead of it (when it rains, it pours...). I will really try to be quick with this one.
And try Irn-bru too.
Although this is a little book, I have 4 other bookrings ahead of it (when it rains, it pours...). I will really try to be quick with this one.
And try Irn-bru too.
Wow! Where do I start?
I rather enjoyed this book. Or rather, by husband did (he was off sick for a few days, and nabbed it off my bedside) and kept raving about it. How could I resist?
Now, I wasn't instantly sucked in, but I did enjoy it, and felt that it reminded me of my favourite authors (Haruki Murakami, David Mitchell, Paul Auster, etc.). But then, that makes sense. I am sure that I read recently that Murakami thought Vonnegut was one of his idols growing up.
The odd twists, multiple stories, and quirky literary techniques (that was me!) are virtually mainstream today. But not in 1969, I guess.
This little book was packed with such inventive and original ideas. Like Campbell (also the name of the Scottish clan - bad boys), and his super hero outfit. The silver boots, and how they were a perfect fit. Billy Cinderalla - or so it goes.
There was so much that I didn't get too.
Why the denture plate?
Thank you for sharing this great book with me. Here's another author I have to go off and read more of.
Thank you again.
I rather enjoyed this book. Or rather, by husband did (he was off sick for a few days, and nabbed it off my bedside) and kept raving about it. How could I resist?
Now, I wasn't instantly sucked in, but I did enjoy it, and felt that it reminded me of my favourite authors (Haruki Murakami, David Mitchell, Paul Auster, etc.). But then, that makes sense. I am sure that I read recently that Murakami thought Vonnegut was one of his idols growing up.
The odd twists, multiple stories, and quirky literary techniques (that was me!) are virtually mainstream today. But not in 1969, I guess.
This little book was packed with such inventive and original ideas. Like Campbell (also the name of the Scottish clan - bad boys), and his super hero outfit. The silver boots, and how they were a perfect fit. Billy Cinderalla - or so it goes.
There was so much that I didn't get too.
Why the denture plate?
Thank you for sharing this great book with me. Here's another author I have to go off and read more of.
Thank you again.
Journal Entry 21 by jubby at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 10, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/10/2006 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted off to bluejazzyfish.
Posted off to bluejazzyfish.
Journal Entry 22 by bluejazzyfish from Cairo, Cairo Governorate Egypt on Thursday, September 7, 2006
In the post over a week ago- have been busy moving house - catching up now though, and looking forward to reading (although it may be a week or two before I get to it on my tbr list|) -
thank you Jubby for sending--
thank you Jubby for sending--
Received over the weekend. I'll start this one as soon as I finish my current read.
Well...I can't actually say that I enjoyed this book, but I did find it interesting. I usually enjoy unique styles, but at times this one just annoyed me a bit. Part of the problem might have been that I didn't really have time to sit down and devour the book word for word. I couldn't really find a connection with the characters which made getting into the plot a bit difficult. There were parts that were funny and parts that were horribly sad. Overall, I appreciated the book as a work of literature and I'm glad that I read it, but I probably wouldn't rush out and buy my own copy or be too eager to read more by this author.
gothamgal has asked to be skipped so I've PMed arugh48187 for an address.
gothamgal has asked to be skipped so I've PMed arugh48187 for an address.
Mailed today to arugh48187. Enjoy!
Found this one in my mailbox earlier today. I have two bookrings in front of it so it shouldn't take too long. You can keep track of its progress via my bookshelf.
Phew!!! This book is a trip. And not the kind where you stroll on the beach sipping a mai-tai and gaze at the sunset. It was more of a vacation where you pack the station wagon, drive a thousand miles to see Great Aunt Maude to spend a week looking for her dentures while trying to avoid her hairball hacking cat and arrive back home more frazzled than when you went.
The book left me feeling disjointed, rattled, and unsettled. I didn't really GET it, so I am almost positive that I missed something. Then again, I didn't like Catch-22 either. Could be a sign that I should avoid these types of books in the interest of improving my literary entertainment value. Then again I can't live on a diet of harlequins alone...
The book left me feeling disjointed, rattled, and unsettled. I didn't really GET it, so I am almost positive that I missed something. Then again, I didn't like Catch-22 either. Could be a sign that I should avoid these types of books in the interest of improving my literary entertainment value. Then again I can't live on a diet of harlequins alone...
Journal Entry 28 by arugh48187 at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, February 12, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (2/12/2007 UTC) at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailing off to creativeMGE who is the next reader who wanted it and from whom I could get a response to my PMs. Happy Reading!!!
Mailing off to creativeMGE who is the next reader who wanted it and from whom I could get a response to my PMs. Happy Reading!!!
Perfect timing; I am just finishing a book today and this will be next up. Thanks!
wow. I'm not sure what to say here. Yes, there is an obvious anti-war message and yes the book is a bizarre trip. I appreciated both of those things. There was a lot that spoke to me, the moments, the impotent guilt and sadness, the reality of disjointed nonsensicals - such a snapshot of what I imagine the shellshock of 1969 to be like. And the quirky beauty, and humor.
(from p88) There isn't any particular relationship between all the messages, except that the author has chosen them carefully, so that, when seen all at once, they produce an image of life that is beautiful and surprising and deep. There is no beginning, no middle, no end, no suspense, no moral, no causes, no effects. What we love in our books are the depths of many marvelous moments seen all at one time.
This gave me a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing it!
PMing Angelfire Star, and will send it forward.
3/5 no response from Angelfire Star; PMing craftycomrade
3/9 craftycomrade asked to be skipped; PMing Quez45
3/13 sending to Quez45 (confirmation: 03051720000234457744)
(from p88) There isn't any particular relationship between all the messages, except that the author has chosen them carefully, so that, when seen all at once, they produce an image of life that is beautiful and surprising and deep. There is no beginning, no middle, no end, no suspense, no moral, no causes, no effects. What we love in our books are the depths of many marvelous moments seen all at one time.
This gave me a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing it!
PMing Angelfire Star, and will send it forward.
3/5 no response from Angelfire Star; PMing craftycomrade
3/9 craftycomrade asked to be skipped; PMing Quez45
3/13 sending to Quez45 (confirmation: 03051720000234457744)
I just received this from creativeMGE as part of this bookray. I have a few other ahead of it, but I will get to it as soon as I can.
Vonnegut has a very unique style of writing that, at least in this case, results in a very nice story.
Sorry it has taken me so long, but I finished this one last night and I'll be sending it off to Bibliocrates today. Enjoy!
Sorry it has taken me so long, but I finished this one last night and I'll be sending it off to Bibliocrates today. Enjoy!
This book arrived in my mail box yesterday afternoon. Thank you very much for passing it on to me Quez45, appreciate it! I will read it soon.TO BE READ
Amazon Editorial Review:
Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist classic Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all phases of his life, concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden.
Don't let the ease of reading fool you--Vonnegut's isn't a conventional, or simple, novel. He writes, "There are almost no characters in this story, and almost no dramatic confrontations, because most of the people in it are so sick, and so much the listless playthings of enormous forces. One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from being characters..." Slaughterhouse-Five (taken from the name of the building where the POWs were held) is not only Vonnegut's most powerful book, it is as important as any written since 1945. Like Catch- 22, it fashions the author's experiences in the Second World War into an eloquent and deeply funny plea against butchery in the service of authority. Slaughterhouse-Five boasts the same imagination, humanity, and gleeful appreciation of the absurd found in Vonnegut's other works, but the book's basis in rock-hard, tragic fact gives it a unique poignancy--and humor.
I wanted to apologize for having taken so long to get to this book! I have sent a PM to purplemoonmyst and will pass the book along as soon as I have an address.
I haven't received a response from purplemoonmyst, don't know if my PM got through, bookshelf shows no recent activity. I have sent a PM to Rains-Arms...
I haven't received a response from Rains-Arms, back to icekween01...
This book was a trip!
Thanks for sharing icekween01!
This book was a trip!
Thanks for sharing icekween01!
Released 16 yrs ago (3/3/2008 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This book is on its back way to icekween01. Thank you for organizing this ring!
This book is on its back way to icekween01. Thank you for organizing this ring!
This one has finally made it home. Wow what a journey! Thank you to everyone who participated in and made this ring a success. I hope that you enjoyed the book. I'd also like to send out a special thanks to Quez45 for the cool bookmark...that's awesome! :-)
Peace and Happy Bookcrossing everyone!
Peace and Happy Bookcrossing everyone!
Dear Reader,
If you found this book and are not familiar with BookCrossing, thanks for checking the site out. Welcome! Enjoy both the book and the site.
People all over the world are tracking their books through BookCrossing.
I really hope you'll journal this book! You can stay anonymous if you like. You can journal the book right now! You don’t have to read it first. Ideally, you will post a journal now saying that you’ve found this particular book, then read (and hopefully enjoy) the book. When you’re done reading, come back here and let us know when and where you will pass the book on to another reader. Give a review if you’d like. If you journal it, you can come back anytime to track its journey.
If you decide to join – and it’s FREE - please consider using me, Icekween01, as the member who referred you. If you are already familiar with BookCrossing, thanks for picking up the book.
Either way, I hope you'll make a journal entry so all previous and future readers can track this book's journey. Happy reading and Happy BookCrossing!
If you found this book and are not familiar with BookCrossing, thanks for checking the site out. Welcome! Enjoy both the book and the site.
People all over the world are tracking their books through BookCrossing.
I really hope you'll journal this book! You can stay anonymous if you like. You can journal the book right now! You don’t have to read it first. Ideally, you will post a journal now saying that you’ve found this particular book, then read (and hopefully enjoy) the book. When you’re done reading, come back here and let us know when and where you will pass the book on to another reader. Give a review if you’d like. If you journal it, you can come back anytime to track its journey.
If you decide to join – and it’s FREE - please consider using me, Icekween01, as the member who referred you. If you are already familiar with BookCrossing, thanks for picking up the book.
Either way, I hope you'll make a journal entry so all previous and future readers can track this book's journey. Happy reading and Happy BookCrossing!
Haven't read, but it's been on my to-be-read list for years. Looking forward to it!
