Slaughterhouse Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death by Kurt Vonnegut
Recommended by Gabe Joseph

Slaughterhouse Five is a testament to modern literature, and how forward looking philosophy and understanding, intertwined with creative and colourful writing, can create something that no doubt stands the test of time. Written by Kurt Vonnegut at his peak, it is a post-modernist masterpiece.

This book has two main plots that focus upon one character at different points in his life, or rather at the same point at different times. First, based upon the author's personal experience in WW2, it follows Billy Pilgrim as he time travels back to his days as a soldier in World War Two, and his experiences of the uniquely horrifying firebombing of Dresden. This is followed by Billy's experience of the events of his time during the war thereafter, all of this time spent with the company of his fellow soldiers - featuring characters such as Wild Bob. The second story shows Billy Pilgrim at an older age in Indianapolis as an optometrist, where he is swept up in an alien abduction and spends much time on the planet Tralfamadore, along with a porn star/actress who was also abducted. He spent this time learning about the esoteric existence and way of life of the Tralfamadorians. Interspersed with this are episodes of Billy's early life pre-war.

I found this book after a long hiatus from reading and I highly recommend it for someone wanting a more complex and adult read that grabs you and makes you think, whilst still wrapping you in a story. however, less politically or ethically interested readers, as well as those who prefer straight forward and realistic books without crazy and out of this world features may be deterred. The ludicrous science fiction edge may also be uncomfortable for some, especially mixed with the time jumps, seemingly illogical (for those not so postmodernist as the author) and the lack of continuity may be incredibly disorientating. Nevertheless, these things can definitely be seen as positives if taken in the right context by the right readers.

Providing a unique blend of satire, science fiction lunacy, anad war, alongside deep moral and political statements, the novel left me blown away With all its elements and characters designed to serve a means to an end, it displays the cruelty and hardship of war in a unique fashion - it looks at the suffering of individuals, genuine personal suffering caused by war. It not only does this but also perfectly balances it with the effective Nihilism present in the alien society. Vonnegut masterfully intertwines the tragic events with a cruel and hard message of how time passes and things happen, and we must move on. These messages, whilst seeming oppositional, provide many, including me, with not only motivation and call to action but a comfort in many ways.

Make no mistake, despite the eccentricities and joyful retorts, this book deals with not only the dark, but the wretched. With little second thought the book displays creative horrors and brutality. The book will not spare the rod when putting the reader through the facts of the matter; the individuals in the book go through hell and the demons are angels in their own eyes.

The authentic and unique voice of Vonnegut is ever present. Satirical and serious, his playfully descriptive and rhetorical style blends almost boyish wit and humour with deeply intelligent insights. The book radiates energy - its almost psychedelic elements mixed with gritty war scenes and deep personal descriptions of characters will leave you aching for more. Or it won't. 'So it goes'.