Science fiction · Classics
Slaughterhouse-Five
A mild American soldier has come unstuck in time and drifts between his wartime capture, his comfortable later life and an alien zoo. At the centre is the firebombing of Dresden, which he saw as a prisoner.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1969
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 215
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want an odd, short, darkly funny anti-war novel that refuses to follow a straight line.
Skip this if you need a conventional plot or a satisfying hero, because the book is fragmentary and deliberately flat.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Slaughterhouse-Five
- What is Slaughterhouse-Five about?
- A mild American soldier has come unstuck in time and drifts between his wartime capture, his comfortable later life and an alien zoo. At the centre is the firebombing of Dresden, which he saw as a prisoner.
- Who should read Slaughterhouse-Five?
- Read it if you want an odd, short, darkly funny anti-war novel that refuses to follow a straight line. Skip it if you need a conventional plot or a satisfying hero, because the book is fragmentary and deliberately flat.
- How long and how fast is Slaughterhouse-Five?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 215 pages, first published in 1969.
- Does Slaughterhouse-Five have content warnings?
- Content we flag: War, Death, Violence.
- Can I borrow Slaughterhouse-Five for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Slaughterhouse-Five; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Slaughterhouse-Five?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Catch-22, Cat's Cradle, The Forever War.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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