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.
Slaughterhouse-Five is not only Vonnegut’s most powerful book, it is also 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 unique poignancy—and humor.
Download and start listening now!
"So it goes.All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warnings or explanations. It simply is. Take it moment by moment. Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse V " — Anna (5 out of 5 stars)
"So it goes.All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warnings or explanations. It simply is. Take it moment by moment. Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse V "
“It is very tough and very funny; it is sad and delightful; and it works…Very Vonnegut.”
“Poignant and hilarious, threaded with compassion and, behind everything, the cataract of a thundering moral statement.”
“Splendid art…a funny book at which you are not permitted to laugh, a sad book without tears.”
“Hawke adopts a confidential, whisper-like tone for his reading. Listening to him is like listening to someone tell you a story in the back of a bus—the perfect pitch for this book. After the novel ends, Vonnegut himself speaks for a short while about his survival of the Dresden firestorm and describes and names the man who inspired this story.”
" I wish I had read this in college rather than high school -- It was a depressing and challenging book but worth reading. "
" good book, definitly should be read. "
" Very compelling. Plan on rereading. "
" The best by one of the greats. Shold be on everyone's bookshelf. "
" This is my favorite book! "
" Someone with my sense of humour hooray "
" One of my all time favorites. The book shows that there isn't a reason for everything. "
" I couldn't stop reading it. "
" I honestly didn't see what all the hype was about this book. And if I read, "So it goes" one more time... "
" It was a very interesting book, still not fully sure I understood it all, but would definitely read it again and recommend it. "
" Explore the idea of free will and the passive acceptance of our sometimes crappy life with this hilarious book about WWII and time travel. I chuckled several times. Loved it! "
" A great book - very intriuging and thought provoking. "
" This is one of my all time favorite books. I simply could not stay away from this page turner. I was so emotionally invested in every character. I couldnt wait to find out what happened next. "
Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007) was a master of contemporary American literature. His black humor, satiric voice, and incomparable imagination first captured America’s attention in The Sirens of Titan in 1959 and established him as “a true artist” with Cat’s Cradle in 1963.
Ethan Hawke is an Academy Award–nominated actor, author, and director. He studied acting at the British Theatre Association in England and at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. His motion picture credits include Dead Poets Society, Gattaca, Great Expectations, and Snow Falling on Cedars, among many others.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.