Slaughterhouse-Five is an absurdist classic and is considered to be a great anti-war novel. It follows Billy Pilgrim, an American prisoner of war during the Second World War who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden. He is able to travel through time after being abducted by aliens (Tralfamadorians). There is no concrete setting; the reader ricochets through time with Billy. While most people I have talked to who have read Slaughterhouse-Five love it, I, unfortunately, did not. I found Vonnegut’s style to be annoying and arbitrary. I realize I am in the minority here. A solid assessment of the novel is found on page 208:
“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
Yes, I realize that the style is anything but arbitrary. I realize it is satirical. I simply disliked it. Nevertheless, I did find some of the book to be interesting and enjoyable.
Fate is a major theme in Slaughterhouse-Five. While on Tralfamadore, Billy notices it is peaceful. He presumes that humans must be “the terrors of the Universe” and he asks how a planet can live in peace. Tralfamadorians, of course, think this is ridiculous. Humans have nothing to do with the destruction of the Universe. Tralfamadorians tell him the Universe gets blown up by a Tralfamadorian test pilot pressing a silver button while experimenting with new fuels for their flying saucers.
“‘If you know this,’ said Billy, ‘isn’t there some way you can prevent it? Can’t you keep the pilot from pressing the button?’
‘He has always pressed it, and he always will. We always let him and we always will let him. The moment is structured that way.'”
They know how the Universe will end, but they do nothing to prevent it. That’s how it is. Additionally, the idea of preventing war on Earth is unrealistic (the exact word used is “stupid”). The Tralfamadorians give Billy some advice: “ignore the awful times, and concentrate on the good ones.” For me, the message is to change what you can and be present in the moment. At the same time, we must remember that much of our experiences are inevitable.
Overall, I am disappointed with Slaughterhouse-Five and it is the first book I cannot recommend. I am sure I will draw the ire of friends for suggesting this. So it goes.
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