The book revolves around one major character, Billy Pilgrim. The plot of the novel consists of Billy traveling through time warps into different parts of his life. Billy constantly alternates between random experiences such as being a soldier in World War II, being abducted by aliens, and being stuck in a mental hospital. Billy Pilgrim is a static character, but this doesn't take anything away from the story because the great qualities of the character project differently in the novel's many distinct settings.
What makes this novel special is Billy's personality. Billy is a very average, quiet, and non-heroic character that finds himself in several intense experiences. This gives the novel some comedic qualities while also allowing the reader to simultaneously feel sympathy for the character and truly feel a connection with him. It is an interesting combination that adds to the peculiarity of the novel.
My favorite characteristic of Slaughterhouse Five is how unpredictable the plot is. Similar to many other novels, the plot has dry points, but the random time traveling provides a permanent sense of suspense while reading. Obviously, this is a great trait for a book to have, and it helps make it a relatively easy read. This novel has the most abstract and bizarre plot I have ever read, so I would easily recommend it to readers who want to try something different and are tired of the redundant storylines of many popular current novels.
This sounds like a really interesting book, like you said, it sounds very unpredictable. World War II, aliens, and mental disorders.. I will pick it up when I get the chance.
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