I feel bad for failing to appreciate the genius of this highly acclaimed novel, but to my defense I did try. I did think some of the parts are funny. I did understand the story, but comprehending it was a different matter altogether. I could not for the life of me fathom the purpose of these seemingly random pieces of storyline until one Tralfamadorian implicitly explained it as small stories that form a whole big story to paint life. Slaughterhouse-Five possesses this structure, hence the reason why it reads as if it doesn't have the traditional plot (beginning, middle, ending) which is as a matter of fact true--it is plotless. This structure is not a problem entirely; the book could have used this and told a great story nevertheless. But the problem, you see, sits solely on the length, depth, and transition of these small stories. The small stories are unfortunately indeed small stories; we do not stay in a particular story long enough to establish a sense of everything. And this results to failure to develop depth; I just could not care for the characters or whatever the hell is going on with their lives, war or without war. Finally, the transition is overwhelming. I felt like I was pulled to different directions by different rough hands. One second I was in this particular story, the next I was in that story. It's exhausting. On the other hand, what I liked about the book was the science fiction part which was I guess intended to portray the state of mind the protagonist was under--that is, he was slowly losing his mind. If there's one thing I would agree with people, it's the fact that this book is anti-war; it shows--rather too glaringly, I must say--the effects of war on people who go to it. Nevertheless, Slaughterhouse-Five is one of the most difficult novels I have had to read. I may come back to it in a few years, but for now I'm giving it 2 stars.