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  • Slaughterhouse-Five

  • By: Kurt Vonnegut
  • Narrated by: James Franco
  • Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (769 ratings)

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Slaughterhouse-Five

By: Kurt Vonnegut
Narrated by: James Franco
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Publisher's Summary

Slaughterhouse-Five is the now famous parable of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran and POW who has, in the later stage of his life, become "unstuck in time" and who experiences at will (or unwillingly) all known events of his chronology out of order and sometimes simultaneously.

Traumatized by the bombing of Dresden at the time he had been imprisoned, Pilgrim drifts through all events and history, sometimes deeply implicated, sometimes a witness. He is surrounded by Vonnegut's usual large cast of continuing characters (notably here the hack science fiction writer Kilgore Trout and the alien Tralfamadorians, who oversee his life and remind him constantly that there is no causation, no order, no motive to existence). The "unstuck" nature of Pilgrim's experience may constitute an early novelistic use of what we now call post-traumatic stress disorder; then again, Pilgrim's aliens may be as "real" as Dresden is real to him.

Struggling to find some purpose, order, or meaning to his existence and humanity's, Pilgrim meets the beauteous and mysterious Montana Wildhack (certainly the author's best character name), has a child with her, and drifts on some supernal plane, finally, in which Kilgore Trout, the Tralfamadorians, Montana Wildhack, and the ruins of Dresden do not merge but rather disperse through all planes of existence.

Slaughterhouse-Five was hugely successful, brought Vonnegut an enormous audience, was a finalist for the National Book Award and a best seller, and remains four decades later as timeless and shattering a war fiction as Catch-22, with which it stands as the two signal novels of their riotous and furious decade.

©1969 Kurt Vonnegut (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"James Franco is an inspired choice as narrator for this anti-war classic. While still young, he still manages to sound world-weary.... Franco has fun with the offbeat characters and Vonnegut's quirky text but keeps the overall tone thoughtful.... Franco's reading gives the 1960s classic a freshness that will appeal to both new listeners and Vonnegut's many fans." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Slaughterhouse-Five

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent detail and black humour

I thought James Franco's voice and readiig style suited this book perfectly. An interesting and engaging alternative treatment to the topic of war , especially those who survive it.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

Great original theme and style

loved it especially the alternate title The Children's Crusade and the dedication to Mary O'Hare.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another classic story written by an old white dude

Interesting phrasing and perspective, understandably a classic with such an engaging story, however as such is noticeably dated and focuses almost solely on white men, with a quite frankly offensive approach to writing any other group of humans. Referred to one woman as "a beautiful invitation to make babies" and essentially spent all the adjectives painting one dimensional moronic female characters. Honestly I was pretty disappointed as I've heard many great things about this novel. Do better.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good to fall asleep to

James Franco tends to talk in a lazy monotone, which may present a challenge if you are planning to stay awake during this.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great American classic

Delighted to "read" this classic again. Franco did a good job but must learn to pronounce the word "cavalry" correctly. It was a Calvary hearing his mispronunciation- twice.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

First time read, amazing narrating, thought provoking story

This is the shortest audiobook I’ve listened to, yet the longest to get through. ‘Pay attention to what you read, watch, and listen to’, this is a book for those who love a slow burn with a minimal climax. Something that makes you pause to think, rewind to listen again, only play when you can devote your sole attention.

I would use my credit on this book if you are looking for these three things;

1. Get a feel and appreciation for the ‘classics’ of the book world
2. Listen to/read something that you attentively react with (Like a non-fiction book in a narrative; a book to teach)
3. React emotionally to small details or interact with your empathetic qualities

These are the three reasons why I enjoyed this book. For sure could have had a bit more complexity. There were some really well thought out, abstract and complex ideas in there. But with an 80% consistency of being just that.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

It truely earns it reputation

It’s chock full of great little ideas and colour. I’m not smart enough to pick up on the anti war messaging but as entertainment, I enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful and profound

If you are looking for some science fiction popcorn, this is not the book for you. This is a thoughtful and beautifully written consideration of the impact of war and trauma on an individual. Touchingly beautiful!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

comic book adaptation is better

I could not finish this book. On the other hand I recommend the comic book adaptation though.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

confusing and dry

I'm probably missing all of the context as to why this is an important anti-war book but it seems a bit convoluted for the message. much preferred the cats cradle over this

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