Slaughterhouse-Five; a review

"Slaughterhouse-Five" is a stellar blend of the farcical and the obscene. There's a real art to writing an introspective, confronting work of fiction that is also outrageously funny. Perhaps it is only possible when a text is based on reality, as Vonnegut's semi-autobiographical novel would indicate.

It's said that all texts about war glorify it. Many that condemn its inhumanity do so through juxtaposition with humanity's compassion and courage. Unfortunately, this means that the best characteristics of our species are only on display during the worst situations.

Vonnegut understood this. His extreme use of irony (when trained scouts are outlived by the hapless protagonist), experimental non-linear timelines and the sheer absurdity of the Tralfamadorians leaves neither room for heroes nor veneration. Fittingly, the nihilistic alternate title of this book is "The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death".

Vonnegut's experience of Dresden as a prisoner of war during the allied fire-bombings informs much of the protagonist’s experiences, who must cope with an eventual return to civilian life. It could be said that the fiction in this novel only takes place in the mundane.

A quick, compelling read with aliens and time travel, about the mad world that sends children to die like men.