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kstraps's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
autogeek's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first Vonnegut that I have read and am not sure what I was expecting. Whatever it was, it wasn't this; that's not to say it wasn't bad though. It just leaves me feeling mostly...indifferent.
The book is fairly fast paced, has simple language and is illustrated. As such, it is relatively quick and easy to read and get through it one long-ish sitting.
It also has something unique going for it - Vonnegut is both narrator, creator and character in this book. As a result, there is no clear distinction between the real- and the story-world. The two worlds are mixed and mashed in interesting ways to create a good storyline. Interesting though this is, I don't think Vonnegut used this concept as well as he could have. The storyline, while good, is not exceptional.
On the downside though, after a while, the excessive use of pointless descriptions and illustrations gets a bit annoying. And I do mean pointless. There is a description and illustration of a chicken at one point, for example. And it is not any specific chicken, just a general chicken; as though it is being described for an alien who has just arrived on the planet. There are also repeated specifications of different characters' penis/bosom/hip measurements and not because they have anything to do with the story. The story sometimes takes off in a tangent that ends up having nothing to do with the rest of the plot at all.
Furthermore, the reader is informed of all the major plot elements well in advance, so there is no sense of suspense, excitement, or in fact, anything.
Overall, despite the good language and the easy-to-read nature of the book, I am a bit let down by the annoying descriptions and illustrations and the unimaginative use of interesting concepts.
And so on.
The book is fairly fast paced, has simple language and is illustrated. As such, it is relatively quick and easy to read and get through it one long-ish sitting.
It also has something unique going for it - Vonnegut is both narrator, creator and character in this book. As a result, there is no clear distinction between the real- and the story-world. The two worlds are mixed and mashed in interesting ways to create a good storyline. Interesting though this is, I don't think Vonnegut used this concept as well as he could have. The storyline, while good, is not exceptional.
On the downside though, after a while, the excessive use of pointless descriptions and illustrations gets a bit annoying. And I do mean pointless. There is a description and illustration of a chicken at one point, for example. And it is not any specific chicken, just a general chicken; as though it is being described for an alien who has just arrived on the planet. There are also repeated specifications of different characters' penis/bosom/hip measurements and not because they have anything to do with the story. The story sometimes takes off in a tangent that ends up having nothing to do with the rest of the plot at all.
Furthermore, the reader is informed of all the major plot elements well in advance, so there is no sense of suspense, excitement, or in fact, anything.
Overall, despite the good language and the easy-to-read nature of the book, I am a bit let down by the annoying descriptions and illustrations and the unimaginative use of interesting concepts.
And so on.
ellipsiscool's review against another edition
4.0
"Breakfast of Champions" is what some would refer to as an "interesting" book with that look in their eyes that says they really aren't too sure of their real opinion is or they don't want to admit it was too weird for them.
That said, I really enjoyed the satire and totally crazy story. Vonnegut has a habit of basing certain characters on people from life and stating it throughout the book. He is an omnipresent narrator that draws attention to himself, especially in this book. Personally, I think that's a really neat narrative device that has a lot of potential.
I listened to an audio book version narrated by John Malkovich. It was perfect. I'm not sure if the book would have been as good read in my "head voice."
That said, I really enjoyed the satire and totally crazy story. Vonnegut has a habit of basing certain characters on people from life and stating it throughout the book. He is an omnipresent narrator that draws attention to himself, especially in this book. Personally, I think that's a really neat narrative device that has a lot of potential.
I listened to an audio book version narrated by John Malkovich. It was perfect. I'm not sure if the book would have been as good read in my "head voice."
tdsaito's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
neptuneur's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
reading this book was like hearing a deeply racist white man describe being human to an alien
rickypitz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
romcomkeith's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
KV lists the organ length or bust measurement of every character. Not my taste at the moment, but 12 yo me would have thought the crude, random, or pointless bits were a riot.
mamu_draeves's review against another edition
Read 20%. Didn’t like the content. Didn’t find it as compelling as other Vonnegut works.
kassidilla's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5