Slaughterhouse-Five

What Hacker News says

1. ngmcMar 2026
   Fun read. Haha I also love the idea of being a mathematical braid. Arrival is a great film, but my favorite fictional take on this kind of thinking is still Slaughterhouse-Five.

   Listen: Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time.

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2. calvinmorrisonFeb 2026
   There's a great NPR piece about Vonnegut's daughter - who read and gave feedback on Slaughterhouse-Five.

   N VONNEGUT: And I have to say, when I was reading, he would be in the next room. If I laughed, he'd come running in because...

   INSKEEP: (Laughter).

   N VONNEGUT: ...That is what mattered (laughter).

   INSKEEP: He'd want to know which joke landed.

   N VONNEGUT: Absolutely, every time.

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3. burnt-resistorDec 2025
   Slaughterhouse-Five is required reading. I fail to see how Vonnegut is offensive to anyone except warmongers and ignorant rubes.

   At least Iowa has largely went the other direction recently by removing it and Maus from absurd book bans.

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4. foxandmouseFeb 2025
   Here are a few books that come to mind:

       Siddhartha – I highly recommend doing some background reading to get the most out of it. Everything in the book is a metaphor. For example, the question of whether to take the "Big Boat or Small Boat?" down the river is actually a deeper reflection on personal choices in the pursuit of nirvana or enlightenment.
   
       When You Hear Hoofbeats, Think of a Zebra
   
       Slaughterhouse-Five – Honestly, just read some Kurt Vonnegut. He’s probably the greatest American writer of all time.
   

   Also, here's a great list: https://i.redd.it/cjuf9k91d6g71.jpg .I’m sure I’ve missed some of my favorites, but I just wanted to share because reading has given me so much perspective on the world. I’m really grateful it’s something I enjoy.
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5. spicyusernameOct 2024
   I was very influenced by Kurt Vonnegut when I was a teenager. Coming of age is a perfect time to learn that the fact that life is absurd doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't laugh, just the opposite. Sirens of Titan and Slaughterhouse Five are some of my favorite books of his.

   As an adult, I've been very influenced by the late Daniel Dennett and his naturalist philosophy. Books like From Bacteria to Bach and Back or Darwin's Dangerous Idea.

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6. edanmOct 2024
   Great choices!

   I've read Vonnegut sporadically and decided this year to read through all his books. Sirens of Titan is an old favorite I've read multiple times, but I reread it about two weeks ago, and Slaughterhouse Five a few months ago.

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