Description
Book Synopsis: A special fiftieth anniversary edition of Kurt Vonnegut’s masterpiece, “a desperate, painfully honest attempt to confront the monstrous crimes of the twentieth century” (Time), featuring a new introduction by Kevin Powers, author of the National Book Award finalist The Yellow Birds.
Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time, Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great antiwar books. Centering on the infamous World War II firebombing of Dresden, the novel is the result of what Kurt Vonnegut described as a twenty-three-year struggle to write a book about what he had witnessed as an American prisoner of war. It combines historical fiction, science fiction, autobiography, and satire in an account of the life of Billy Pilgrim, a barber’s son turned draftee turned optometrist turned alien abductee. As Vonnegut had, Billy experiences the destruction of Dresden as a POW. Unlike Vonnegut, he experiences time travel, or coming “unstuck in time.”
An instant bestseller, Slaughterhouse-Five made Kurt Vonnegut a cult hero in American literature, a reputation that only strengthened over time, despite his being banned and censored by some libraries and schools for content and language. But it was precisely those elements of Vonnegut’s writing—the political edginess, the genre-bending inventiveness, the frank violence, the transgressive wit—that have inspired generations of readers not just to look differently at the world around them but to find the confidence to say something about it.
Authors as wide-ranging as Norman Mailer, John Irving, Michael Crichton, Tim O’Brien, Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth Strout, David Sedaris, Jennifer Egan, and J. K. Rowling have all found inspiration in Vonnegut’s words. Jonathan Safran Foer has described Vonnegut as “the kind of writer who made people—young people especially—want to write.” George Saunders has declared Vonnegut to be “the great, urgent, passionate American writer of our century, who offers us . . . a model of the kind of compassionate thinking that might yet save us from ourselves.”
More than fifty years after its initial publication at the height of the Vietnam War, Vonnegut’s portrayal of political disillusionment, PTSD, and postwar anxiety feels as relevant, darkly humorous, and profoundly affecting as ever, an enduring beacon through our own era’s uncertainties.
Details
Experience the power of Kurt Vonnegut's masterpiece with the special fiftieth anniversary edition of Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel. This influential book is a desperate and painfully honest attempt to confront the monstrous crimes of the twentieth century. As one of the world's greatest antiwar books, Slaughterhouse-Five centers around the infamous World War II firebombing of Dresden, delivering a powerful message about the horrors of war.
Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time, this American classic combines historical fiction, science fiction, autobiography, and satire. Dive into the life of Billy Pilgrim, a barber's son turned draftee turned optometrist turned alien abductee, as he experiences the destruction of Dresden firsthand. As you immerse yourself in this mesmerizing tale, you'll be captivated by Vonnegut's unique writing style that seamlessly combines different genres.
Don't miss out on a book that has inspired generations of readers. Slaughterhouse-Five catapulted Kurt Vonnegut into cult hero status in American literature, despite being banned and censored by some libraries and schools. It's precisely Vonnegut's political edginess, genre-bending inventiveness, frank violence, and transgressive wit that continue to captivate readers, making them look at the world differently and find the confidence to comment on it.
Renowned authors such as Norman Mailer, John Irving, Michael Crichton, Tim O'Brien, and Margaret Atwood have all drawn inspiration from Vonnegut's words. Join the ranks of those who have been moved by his writing and inspired to create their own. Whether you're young or old, Vonnegut's words will ignite the desire to write within you. As George Saunders aptly puts it, Vonnegut is the great, urgent, passionate American writer of our century, offering a model of compassionate thinking that might save us from ourselves.
Over fifty years since its original publication, Slaughterhouse-Five remains relevant, darkly humorous, and profoundly affecting. It serves as an enduring beacon through our own era's uncertainties, tackling themes of political disillusionment, PTSD, and postwar anxiety. Embrace the timeless relevance of Slaughterhouse-Five and discover why this book continues to influence and inspire readers from all walks of life.
Take a journey through time and experience the literary masterpiece that shaped a generation. Grab your copy of Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel today and delve into Vonnegut's brilliant exploration of war, humanity, and the human spirit.Buy now
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