A perfect read for Memorial Day, a novel which honors the war dead. So it goes...
SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE. I was moved throughout, but let down a bit by the end. Wondered what others thought of the ending.
I just reread Slaughterhouse Five. When I first read the book as a youth, I remember the humor. But now as a grown man and author, I was deeply moved by the gravitas, absurdity, and surrealism. The writing itself is gorgeous and haunting. The chapters were so compelling, I couldn't stop reading. That rarely happens with me.
So I was surprised when I came to the end that it wasn't more satisfying or affecting. I know Vonnegut drops hints that it's not a regular story with character and plot. But I think I was expecting some full-blown scene between the man who was killed for stealing at teapot (Edgar Derby) instead of the passing reference. Or a scene between Billy Pilgrim and his wife or son. I suppose the closest type of scene like that was between Billy and Rumfoord, as Billy keeps uttering the fact that he was there, he was a prisoner of war. Though it didn't resonate as much since we don't know that character that well.
Or maybe I was expecting more repercussions when people learn Billy is time travelling. That someone might make the connection that it might be a result of the trauma of war and all the deaths. Overall I loved the book. I'd love to hear from other readers to see if they found the ending of the book moving or not.
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