1001+ Books:
#5 - Breakfast of Champions
by: Kurt Vonnegut
Tip: don't listen to this book, it is clearly meant to be a visual experience as opposed to your straightforward narrative. The book is apparently littered with various hand drawn illustrations by Vonnegut, that have to be described (admittedly somewhat humorously) by the reader. Speaking of the reader, John Malkovich is simultaneously perfect for the reading of a Vonnegut book and an incredibly ill choice for the reading of any audiobook. He lisps, which is part of the charm, but also can be frustratingly hard to follow, especially with his jerky, disjointed, flowed together movement from one sentence to the next. Part of me feels I should try actually reading it, but there simply isn't the time with 1001 books to get through. Unfortunately my experience with the novel, in a car going down the interstate at sonically abundant speeds with a narrator who seems to be mildly impaired in some way or another, may unfairly lower the rating of it.
Anyway, despite the slightly imperfect conditions to which I experienced the book, it was certainly interesting, but nowhere near the absolute genius of Slaughterhouse-Five. One thing is definitely is is hilarious. Vonnegut remains a master of satire, and his sensibility especially shines through with Malkovich's reading, which is, like i said, imperfect, yet well suited to the author. Vonnegut's observations of humanity, and his insane, funny ideas about the world are beautiful and frightening to behold. He frequently compares people to meat machines filling out their daily purposes, but also describes them as unwavering columns of light. The soul inside the machine. Race relations in America are rarely presented so honestly and unforgivingly as in this. Each character is immediately described as either black or white, and their genealogy is often detailed, like describing black characters as being descended from slaves.
Overall, this is a solid book, but the experience I had with it could have been better I think. The ideas are provocative and inspire much thought, and the execution and presentation of the ideas is often perfect and incredibly humorous. Not quite the heights I know the author can reach, but enjoyable all the same.
Anyway, despite the slightly imperfect conditions to which I experienced the book, it was certainly interesting, but nowhere near the absolute genius of Slaughterhouse-Five. One thing is definitely is is hilarious. Vonnegut remains a master of satire, and his sensibility especially shines through with Malkovich's reading, which is, like i said, imperfect, yet well suited to the author. Vonnegut's observations of humanity, and his insane, funny ideas about the world are beautiful and frightening to behold. He frequently compares people to meat machines filling out their daily purposes, but also describes them as unwavering columns of light. The soul inside the machine. Race relations in America are rarely presented so honestly and unforgivingly as in this. Each character is immediately described as either black or white, and their genealogy is often detailed, like describing black characters as being descended from slaves.
Overall, this is a solid book, but the experience I had with it could have been better I think. The ideas are provocative and inspire much thought, and the execution and presentation of the ideas is often perfect and incredibly humorous. Not quite the heights I know the author can reach, but enjoyable all the same.
Rating: B
Maybe I'll pick up the copy at half priced books and read it that way. should we track down the film?
ReplyDeleteI love this Vonnegut. But I had the advantage of previously reading it before listening to it on our road trip. Agree about the awesome/not ideal Malcovich.
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