Read Along with Blue Suede Book Club
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
For our latest read, the Blue Suede Book Club tackled Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut’s classic anti-war novel. It’s a book that’s been praised, analyzed, and even banned over the years, but for our group, it landed at a middle-of-the-road 2.5 out of 5 stars. While some of us appreciated its unique narrative style and dark humor, many found it frustratingly confusing and, at times, even problematic.
Want to find out for yourself? Check out a copy at the library, or find it on Boundless or Libby!
Check out the Slaughterhouse Five Graphic Novel on Hoopla!
Next month we will be reading Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas.
Pick up a copy at the library or click the linked image to find it on Hoopla and Read Along with Blue Suede!
A Nonlinear Journey Through War and Time
One of the biggest challenges we faced with Slaughterhouse-Five was its nonlinear structure. The book jumps unpredictably through time, following protagonist Billy Pilgrim as he experiences World War II, post-war life, and even alien abduction. This disjointed timeline was a struggle for many readers, making it difficult to fully engage with the story or connect with Billy as a character. However, some of us found this to be one of the book’s strengths—an intentional reflection of the chaos and disorientation of war itself.
A Lack of Agency and Growth
Billy Pilgrim, our protagonist, is an unusual character in that he seems to have no real control over his life. He does not make choices, does not fight against his circumstances, and does not evolve as the novel progresses. In most stories, we expect the main character to learn and grow from their experiences, but Billy simply drifts through time and space. Some of us found this frustrating, while others felt that this passivity was precisely the point—illustrating the randomness of life and the helplessness often felt in war.
A Book Without a Climax
Unlike traditional narratives, Slaughterhouse-Five lacks a clear climax. There are moments that seem like they should be pivotal—the bombing of Dresden, the execution of Edgar Derby—but when they arrive, they are understated and almost glossed over. Some members felt this made the book anticlimactic and unsatisfying, but others believed Vonnegut did this deliberately to show how significant events can be disturbingly mundane in the grand scheme of war and life.
Controversial Themes and Questionable Portrayals
Beyond its unusual structure, some aspects of Slaughterhouse-Five sparked deeper discussion and criticism. Several members took issue with the book’s sentiment toward war, feeling that it bordered on being disrespectful to those who experienced it firsthand. While the novel is widely regarded as an anti-war book, its detached, almost flippant tone didn’t sit well with everyone.
Another concern was the way women were portrayed in the book. Female characters felt two-dimensional and were largely depicted as sexual objects rather than fully developed individuals. While this could be a product of the time in which the book was written, it was still a noticeable flaw for modern readers.
Fact vs. Fiction in Historical Representation
The novel presents statistics about the bombing of Dresden that have been debated over the years. While Vonnegut acknowledges in the book that there is little historical documentation of the bombing, some members found his representation of the event to be misleading. This raised questions about the responsibilities of historical fiction and how authors choose to present real-world events within their narratives.
A Book Worth Reading, Even If We Didn’t Love It
Despite our criticisms, we don’t regret reading Slaughterhouse-Five. While most of us wouldn’t say we enjoyed it, the book sparked an engaging discussion, which is ultimately what our club is all about. It challenged us, took us out of our comfort zones, and introduced us to a style of storytelling that was different from our usual selections. Some of us even found moments of humor and creativity woven throughout the novel, adding some levity to its heavy themes.
So, was Slaughterhouse-Five a hit with the Blue Suede Book Club? Not exactly. But was it an interesting and thought-provoking read? Absolutely. And sometimes, that’s just as valuable as loving a book.