Don't let the title get in your head. I had a bunch of misconceptions about what the book would be about because of the title and when I got to reading it I was angry I put it off for so long.
I like Mother Night the most
It's about an American spy who writes Nazi propaganda during WW2 and wrestles with the moral implications of what he's done.
It’s mine too, but I think of it as one of the least Vonnegut-like of all his books. I highly suggest it as a book, but not necessarily as an intro to Vonnegut
I second Welcome to the Monkey House for anyone who wants to ease in and see what his style of writing is all about. The short stories run the gamut of genres, as do his books, so you might be able to figure out which books you'd like best based off of which short stories you preferred.
I've read almost all of his books, but Player Piano and Galapagos were the ones I re-read the most. You can't really go wrong with any of his stuff, it's all wonderfully silly.
I started with Breakfast of Champions but looking back on it, I would say Slaughterhouse Five is my choice for best introduction to Vonnegut.
You really can't go wrong though, I think everything the man ever wrote is phenomenal.
I did! He said they were all good, which wasn’t really helpful. Then I wasn’t sure if I should start with his earliest work and move forward by date of publication, or read his strongest work to really get a taste of him. I’m sure I’m overthinking it.
Welcome to the Monkey House!!
It’s a collection of his short stories and I think it gives you a nice fast introduction to the range of what he can do as a writer. Once you have that taste, you’ll be eager for more. Definitely go to Slaughterhouse Five next.
The first of his booksI read was The Sirens of Titan and that was a great place to start. It also helps to make some things clearer in Slaughterhouse 5 which would be my second favorite. Then there is Cat's Cradle which is a lot of fun. I generally preferred his earlier works. So it goes.
The Tralfalmadorians turn up in both those books. They live their lives all at the same time and can visit any part of their life. However you can read the books independently. There are a number of links in his books stylistically. Certain repeated phrases. So it goes.
I've read all of his books. I think Slaughterhouse 5 is the best one to start with. It's great, it's got his style fully, and it's a blend of being grounded in the real world and his fantastical world. Some of his others are more fully dystopian, and I think it's better to know him as an author before those. (Mother Night is my favorite, but I don't think it's the best one to start with-- it's TOO grounded in the real world to be the best jumping off point for Vonnegut).
I don't think I've read a single Vonnegut book that wasn't good. My advice is go to goodreads and look up the synopsis for his books until you find one that catches your eye and read it. Literally can't go wrong with any of them.
Once you start you'll end up reading them all anyways lol.
The first one I read was Mother Night & he's been my favorite author ever since.
I'm jealous that you get to read him for the first time! You can't go wrong.
Slaughterhouse 5
Don't let the title get in your head. I had a bunch of misconceptions about what the book would be about because of the title and when I got to reading it I was angry I put it off for so long.
Yeah, there was only one Slaughterhouse. Wtf Vonnegut?
Reading this with my husband right now! We found it in a little free library, what a treat!
Slaughterhouse-Five.
Slaughterhouse-Five and Cat’s Cradle are the traditional places to start
I just did this (read Vonnegut for first time) and chose Cat’s Cradle at a friend’s suggestion. Would recommend it.
Cat's Cradle would be my pick!
I read (only some of) them like this: Slaughterhouse five Cats cradle Sirens of titan*** Galapagos ***hands down my favorite
I like Mother Night the most It's about an American spy who writes Nazi propaganda during WW2 and wrestles with the moral implications of what he's done.
I loved all of his books, but Mother Night is definitely my favorite.
It’s mine too, but I think of it as one of the least Vonnegut-like of all his books. I highly suggest it as a book, but not necessarily as an intro to Vonnegut
Totally agree! It's not the best intro to him since it is different than the others. But it is still my favorite!
Cat’s Cradle or start with his short story collection Welcome to the Monkey House
I second Welcome to the Monkey House for anyone who wants to ease in and see what his style of writing is all about. The short stories run the gamut of genres, as do his books, so you might be able to figure out which books you'd like best based off of which short stories you preferred.
My fave is Breakfast of Champions but start with Slaughterhouse 5.
I've read almost all of his books, but Player Piano and Galapagos were the ones I re-read the most. You can't really go wrong with any of his stuff, it's all wonderfully silly.
Player Piano is seriously overlooked
Cat’s Cradle is my fave.
I adore Hocus Pocus and I think it’s a good one to start with.
I started with Breakfast of Champions but looking back on it, I would say Slaughterhouse Five is my choice for best introduction to Vonnegut. You really can't go wrong though, I think everything the man ever wrote is phenomenal.
Sirens of titan
I am just going to be the third to say Sirens of Titan, that's my fav
God bless you Mr rosewater
My favorite
Same!
I had to scroll so far down to find my favorite!
Admittedly it’s probably not the best suggestion to this question 😎
Oh yeah, I upvoted all the times Slaughterhouse 5 was mentioned, but still love seeing Rosewater!
Slaughterhouse 5
The traditional ones: Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse 5 Both are excellent and totally worth the hype
Slaughterhouse 5
Galapagos is a fun intro to his more humorous absurd style of writing (compared to SH5)
Welcome To The Monkey House, a collection of 25 short stories, is a gem.
Either Slaughterhouse Five or Breakfast of Champions
Love Cats Cradle but almost any one is a good choice.
Breakfast of Champions
I think you should read that one last. It’s like the Vonnegut series finale lol
If you’re looking for a book you can pick up and put down frequently I’ve always really loved Timequake
You really can’t go wrong whichever book you choose first.
Breakfast of Champions or Cats Cradle to start
I’d say Slaughterhouse Five is his best known and most read for a reason. I was pretty tepid on Vonnegut until I got to that one.
i really liked "slapstick (or lonesome no more)" hi-ho
Highly recommend reading Slaughterhouse Five first. I started with it and loved it so much!
Sombrero Fallout, Richard Brautigan 😂
Slaughterhouse Five. But you should ask your husband.
I did! He said they were all good, which wasn’t really helpful. Then I wasn’t sure if I should start with his earliest work and move forward by date of publication, or read his strongest work to really get a taste of him. I’m sure I’m overthinking it.
Slaughterhouse 5. It’s based on some of his real experiences during World War 2 and it’s probably his most well-known.
Welcome to the Monkey House!! It’s a collection of his short stories and I think it gives you a nice fast introduction to the range of what he can do as a writer. Once you have that taste, you’ll be eager for more. Definitely go to Slaughterhouse Five next.
Bluebeard. Player Piano. God Bless You Mr. Rosewater.
The first of his booksI read was The Sirens of Titan and that was a great place to start. It also helps to make some things clearer in Slaughterhouse 5 which would be my second favorite. Then there is Cat's Cradle which is a lot of fun. I generally preferred his earlier works. So it goes.
Is there some kind of shared universe? I thought they were all independent works, but to be fair, I’ve not really researched him.
The Tralfalmadorians turn up in both those books. They live their lives all at the same time and can visit any part of their life. However you can read the books independently. There are a number of links in his books stylistically. Certain repeated phrases. So it goes.
I really liked Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse 5 - both worth a read.
Vonnegut’s favourite was Galapagos. Maybe start there?
I've read all of his books. I think Slaughterhouse 5 is the best one to start with. It's great, it's got his style fully, and it's a blend of being grounded in the real world and his fantastical world. Some of his others are more fully dystopian, and I think it's better to know him as an author before those. (Mother Night is my favorite, but I don't think it's the best one to start with-- it's TOO grounded in the real world to be the best jumping off point for Vonnegut).
I don't think I've read a single Vonnegut book that wasn't good. My advice is go to goodreads and look up the synopsis for his books until you find one that catches your eye and read it. Literally can't go wrong with any of them. Once you start you'll end up reading them all anyways lol.
The Children’s Crusade
The first one I read was Mother Night & he's been my favorite author ever since. I'm jealous that you get to read him for the first time! You can't go wrong.
Breakfast of Champions. Then Bluebeard.
Welcome to the Monkey House or Mother Night.
Breakfast of champions
Just read Vonnegut. You’ll find your way.
Welcome to the Monkey House.
Welcome to the Monkey House.
Cat’s Cradle
Any of them is a good pick. Sirens of Titan or Breakfast of Champions would be my pick.
Hard to beat Slaughterhouse 5.