60 pages • 2 hours read
Player Piano
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Book Brief
352
Novel • Fiction
Ilium, New York • Future
1952
Adult
16-18 years
930L
Super Short Summary
Player Piano, set in a dystopian future where machines control nearly all jobs, follows Doctor Paul Proteus, head of the automated Ilium plant, as he grapples with societal inequality and the suppression of human purpose. Inspired by his freethinking friend Ed Finnerty, Paul begins to question and rebel against this mechanized world leading him to join the revolutionary Ghost Shirt Society.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Melancholic
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
60,978 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. presents a dystopian future with a compelling critique of automation and its effects on human identity. Readers praise its prescient themes and dark humor but note some character development feels thin. The narrative's pacing can be slow, impacting engagement. Overall, it's a thought-provoking, if occasionally uneven, debut.
Who Should Read Player Piano?
Readers who enjoy dystopian tales and critiques of automation will appreciate Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s Player Piano. Fans of George Orwell’s 1984 or Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World will find a compelling narrative exploring the dehumanizing effects of technology on society and individual agency.
60,978 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Anita Proteus
Anita Proteus
Paul's wife, originally from a lower social class, who is motivated by aspirations to climb the socioeconomic ladder.
Ed Finnerty
Ed Finnerty
A founding member of the engineering corps, struggling to fit into the system and drawn to alternative ways of life.
Doctor Kronus
Doctor Kronus
A corporate elite who supports the mechanized system and mentors Paul in career advancement.
Reverend James J. Lasher
Reverend James J. Lasher
A reverend and former sociology professor who becomes a key figure in a revolutionary movement.
The Shah of Bratpuhr
The Shah of Bratpuhr
A foreign dignitary visiting to observe the industrial system, offering an outsider's perspective.
Ewing J. Halyard
Ewing J. Halyard
The escort for the Shah, attempting to bridge cultural understanding while facing personal challenges.
Lawson Shepherd
Lawson Shepherd
Paul's competitive antagonist, primarily driven by his desire to surpass Paul in professional settings.
352
Novel • Fiction
Ilium, New York • Future
1952
Adult
16-18 years
930L
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