Published in 1973, Breakfast
of Champions is Kurt Vonnegut’s seventh novel. The story was adapted into a
1999 film of the same name.
Kilgore Trout is an aging science fiction writer. Trout is
invited by his only fan, Eliot Rosewater, to an arts festival in Midland City where
Trout will read some of his stories. Dwayne Hoover is a lonely, mentally ill
old man who owns a Pontiac dealership in Midland City. Trout and Hoover
eventually cross paths, provoking Hoover’s illness to erupt in violence. Most
of the action alternates between Trout’s journey to Midland City and Hoover’s
further descent into insanity.
Vonnegut writes well. His use of technical terminology connects the reader with the topic. In
addition, he uses humor to make the most boring things sound interesting. Breakfast is also peppered with whimsical
drawings of everything from buttons to chickens. These little bonuses were unique
and entertaining.
The satire in the book is well done; it’s funny, unique,
thought provoking, and topical for the time (The Vietnam War). The plot itself
was tedious and unamusing. I also didn’t like when Vonnegut inserted himself
into the action in the final third of the story. I found that completely
unnecessary and distracting from the two main characters. Throughout the book, Vonnegut
jumps from one topic to the next, constantly ranting about the things Americans
do. That’s okay, especially if it’s done cleverly, as it is here. However, I
wish he had fully completed his thoughts before moving on to other rants.
Overall, I think Vonnegut’s satire on America is humorous
and engaging, and I wish he were around to write one about America today. The
lackluster plot and random, incomplete rants are not as praiseworthy. Two and a
half out of five stars.
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