Slaughterhouse-Five vs other books by kurt vonnegut

[Saeed]

how is this book compared to other books by the same author?
does it represent the style of the author?
and finally, would you recommend other books by Vonnegut to someone who didn't like SH5?

[Greg]

If you really, really don't like Slaughterhouse-Five (and I love it), my guess is that his other books won't appeal to you. Stylistically, his books are very similar.

Vonnegut "graded" his own books, and he gave himself an A+ for Slaughterhouse-Five. The only other book he awarded himself an A+ was Cat's Cradle. More on Vonnegut's letter grades for his books:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/62321/...

[dsreads]

The Sirens of Titan might be of more interest to someone who didn't like SH5 much. It has a bit more of a beginning, middle, and end to it. I have only finished Cat's Cradle and part of Galapagos other than that.

I did not enjoy Cat's Cradle as much. It doesn't give any lesson like SH5 did, IMO. I have to say Galapagos seems very entertaining so far and might be good if you didn't get into SH5.

[Greg]

Galapagos is a bit more hopeful than Cat's Cradle (hopeful being a relative term as we're talking about Vonnegut...)

[Randy]

Slaughterhouse Five wasn't among my favorite Vonnegut books, but then I always wanted to rebel against what was popular. Cats Cradle rocked my world & Galapagos REALLY makes you think. Welcome to the Monkey House was also a lot of fun, with its many great short stories.

[Lawrence]

ONE OF HIS BEST.

[Adam]

SH5 is devastating and claustrophobic. A true masterpiece in my mind and so personal. If it appeals to you, you should try to compare it to the films of David Lynch. Case in point the films that in a similar way traps you inside the tramatized narative of the main character (Lost Highway, Mulhulland drive and Inland empire). What sets Vonnegut apart is his celebration of the human ability to create elaborate visions, however absurd, in the face of trauma. This energy is also to be found in the folly of Sirens of Titan.

[Cawkins]

I agree with Greg that Stylistically is work is similar. For something a little different, and in my mind an upbeat ending, try "God Bless You Mr. Rosewater".

[Justinmmoffitt]

Vonnegut's voice is strong in nearly all of his novels. I think the only exception I can think of is While Mortals Sleep which was a posthumously released selection of early work. Most of the work made for some cash, none of it involving any science fiction. Slaughterhouse-five is his magnum opus; it does not get better. There are some other beloved books by him such as Cat's Cradle and Sirens of Titan, both juggernauts in his bibliography. The rest is good literature but not great and that's perfectly fine! Hocus Pocus, Breakfast of Champions, and Deadeye Dick are best for the people who aren't done with Vonnegut after his big three. His power lies in his voice and if that's not something you enjoy. I'd refrain from his other work.