Cat's Cradle

I can see why people compare Pahalniuk to Vonnegut. After reading both authors, I was struck by the similarities of both. Cat's Cradle is about a man who decides to write a book about what the makers of the atmoic bomb were doing when it first was dropped over Japan. It takes many twists and turns, comments on all manners of society and has more than a few things to say about religion. I can...more

I can see why people compare Pahalniuk to Vonnegut. After reading both authors, I was struck by the similarities of both. Cat's Cradle is about a man who decides to write a book about what the makers of the atmoic bomb were doing when it first was dropped over Japan. It takes many twists and turns, comments on all manners of society and has more than a few things to say about religion. I can see why people become fans of his work and read them over and over again.   hide

For me, Kurt Vonnegut's CAT'S CRADLE is best appreciated as a product of a specific milieu. I think the novel preys on a specific kind of anxiety: humanity's annihilation through weapons of mass destruction, a fear that was very, very real throughout the Cold War, but in spite of (and perhaps because of) the financial crisis and the Gulf oil spill, now seems quite distant. Still, Vonnegut's tale...more

For me, Kurt Vonnegut's CAT'S CRADLE is best appreciated as a product of a specific milieu. I think the novel preys on a specific kind of anxiety: humanity's annihilation through weapons of mass destruction, a fear that was very, very real throughout the Cold War, but in spite of (and perhaps because of) the financial crisis and the Gulf oil spill, now seems quite distant. Still, Vonnegut's tale about mankind's shortsightedness is thought-provoking, though personally, I was more drawn to his take on the falsehood (and necessity) of religion, as well as his rather caricaturish take on US foreign policy towards third world (and in this case dictatorial Latin American) countries. I haven't quite decided yet if current American policy towards Middle Eastern nations is an excellent echo, but if it was, then Bokonon would have been vindicated: "History! Read it and weep!"   hide

Matt's wife demands that he search for a cradle she slept in as a baby. Since she will deliver their first child anyday, her request is reasonable and Matt is up to the task. The story is about the journey, not the destiation. Matt travels through Wisconsin, MInnesota, and Indiana to follow up on clues to the cradle's location and meets intersting/quirky charachetes along the way. In...more

Matt's wife demands that he search for a cradle she slept in as a baby. Since she will deliver their first child anyday, her request is reasonable and Matt is up to the task. The story is about the journey, not the destiation. Matt travels through Wisconsin, MInnesota, and Indiana to follow up on clues to the cradle's location and meets intersting/quirky charachetes along the way. In alternate chapters we read about Renee who remembers the reasons gave her child up/into foster care as her second child is off fighting in the Middle East. Seeing how the two plot lines converege is cool. It's such a tender book. I almost cried several times. The writing is fabulous and the story will suck you in.   hide

This apocalyptic novel is an interesting view of what the end of the world may be like. The hero, John (Johah, as he calls himself), begins work on a book about the bombing of Hiroshima, and ends up getting mixed up in the lives of the A-bomb's principal inventor's children. Interestingly enough, the man who was most responsible for the atomic bomb is also largely to blame for the final...more

This apocalyptic novel is an interesting view of what the end of the world may be like. The hero, John (Johah, as he calls himself), begins work on a book about the bombing of Hiroshima, and ends up getting mixed up in the lives of the A-bomb's principal inventor's children. Interestingly enough, the man who was most responsible for the atomic bomb is also largely to blame for the final destruction of human life. Vonnegut may be a fatalist, and he certainly is a pessimist. His bleak view of mankind, of science, of religion (as exemplified by the outrageous theology he creates) is nothing short of a wake-up call. Vonnegut is immensely entertaining, Dark and enjoyable.   hide

A great Vonnegut book. Good for someone who has never read anything by Vonnegut before. Pretty simple, and yet very poigniant, storyline. Quick, short chapters/sections. Basically gives a great allegorical view of what the world was like during the Cold War, and maybe even more relevant in our post 9/11 world, with the thoughts of rogue countries/factions having the same nuclear weapon...more

A great Vonnegut book. Good for someone who has never read anything by Vonnegut before. Pretty simple, and yet very poigniant, storyline. Quick, short chapters/sections. Basically gives a great allegorical view of what the world was like during the Cold War, and maybe even more relevant in our post 9/11 world, with the thoughts of rogue countries/factions having the same nuclear weapon capabilities as the US and Soviet Union, and how those capabilities can (will?) eventually go wrong.   hide

The narrator, Jonah, is writing a book about the first atomic bomb. A meeting with Newt Hoenikker (whose father created the atomic bomb) leads Jonah to the island republic of San Lorenzo. The religion on the island of San Lorenzo, founded by Bokonon, is based completely on "foma," or lies. Key aspects of Bokononism are "kara," a group of people you are linked to by...more

The narrator, Jonah, is writing a book about the first atomic bomb. A meeting with Newt Hoenikker (whose father created the atomic bomb) leads Jonah to the island republic of San Lorenzo. The religion on the island of San Lorenzo, founded by Bokonon, is based completely on "foma," or lies. Key aspects of Bokononism are "kara," a group of people you are linked to by fate, and "granfalloon," a group of people who only think they are linked, like by nationality or alumni status. Vonnegut's keen, satirical insights into religion, politics, and science will make you laugh through your tears as you stop and think about everything you believe to be utterly true. My favorite of Vonnegut's novels. A true masterpiece.   hide

A fabulous insight about the dark side of human nature. Vonnegut does a wonderful job of weaving light hearted humor with heart wrenching truth. Vonnegut is a wizard with words and weaves an intriguing plot about a nobody author, together with a lonely midget, his miserable sister, and a motley crew of other assorted cast members. They are thrust into a plot device that could very well lead to...more

A fabulous insight about the dark side of human nature. Vonnegut does a wonderful job of weaving light hearted humor with heart wrenching truth. Vonnegut is a wizard with words and weaves an intriguing plot about a nobody author, together with a lonely midget, his miserable sister, and a motley crew of other assorted cast members. They are thrust into a plot device that could very well lead to Armageddon. Vonnegut baffles your mind with ideas and concepts of science and human morals that leave you wondering for hours. Nothing is safe from Vonnegut’s statistical humor as he also finds time to poke fun at religion, creating his own ideology, Bokononism, finds just about every way to make every religion and aspect of human nature seem futile and in some cases humorous. Cat’s cradle is a remarkable work of art that anyone who wants a wild ride that will warp and twist your ideals, challenge your morals, and have your mind spinning on its heels all the way until it’s over.   hide

This book is the dictionary definition of black humor to the degree of pedigree. It centres around a strange religion that celebrates chaos. I must quote: The painting on which Nwet was working on was framed ina misty sea of sky and valley. Newt's painting was small,black amd warty.It consisted of scratches made in black gummy impasto.The scratches formed a sort of spider's web and I...more

This book is the dictionary definition of black humor to the degree of pedigree. It centres around a strange religion that celebrates chaos. I must quote: The painting on which Nwet was working on was framed ina misty sea of sky and valley. Newt's painting was small,black amd warty.It consisted of scratches made in black gummy impasto.The scratches formed a sort of spider's web and I wondered if they might not be the sticky nets of human futility hung up on a moonless night.I did not wake up the midget who made this dreadful thing."   hide

I didn't ever want to put this book down, it was incredibly intriguing and interesting but the ending was rather curious. I absolutely loved the book until the last 5 pages then when I read the ending and closed the cover all I could think was well...hmmmm. I know it's how Vonnegut wanted it to end, it's a thought-provoking book. Not my favorite book, but very, very good none-the-less.