Cat's Cradle: A Novel
by Kurt Vonnegut
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Book Reviews of Cat's Cradle: A Novel
Book Review: You could do worse, but you could do so much better.
Summary: 2 Stars
To be honest, I was left with a strong feeling of distaste after having finished Cat's Cradle. First, there's the book's rather blunt ridicule of science. In Cat's Cradle, science is represented by two characters - Dr. Hoenikker, inventor of the atomic bomb and all-around genius, and a fellow scientist whom the protagonist goes to interview some years after Hoenikker's death. The latter is basically an overbearing pompous ass and veritably invites the reader's contempt, especially given his praise of the former. The former is portrayed as a completely delusional psychopath to whom nothing exists besides research; his complete lack of contact with reality or with anything outside of his laboratory leads to the death of his wife and the severe maladjustment of his children, and aside from the other scientist, the whole town still hates him even years after his death. Hey, Vonnegut, you don't think you're being a bit too hard on scientists there, man? I mean, certainly, given the premise of science being irresponsible, deluded and in many ways blind and repugnant, like Hoenikker, then Vonnegut's "parable" about "over-reliance on science" makes perfect sense. But the entire premise is completely intellectually dishonest. There have been, believe it or not, works that have examined the same problem, in the same way of looking at the life of one scientist who is too wrapped up in his work to notice other aspects of life. The film Nine Days Of One Year immediately occurs to me as an example. But that film, though it reached a conclusion similar to Vonnegut's - that, the search for truth aside, one must not forget certain other important things in life - was far more honest about its subjects, acknowledging that they were more than just garish caricatures, and was all the more thought-provoking and powerful as a result. In comparison, Vonnegut's portrayal of science (which, in the book, is always greatly and deliberately praised by the most vacuous and unlikeable characters) is just ham-fisted and crude. Essentially, it proves a point about something that has no basis in reality in the first place.
But that flaw, I suppose, would be forgivable. It's not uncommon for artists to oversimplify this issue, and it doesn't mean that the end result can't be good. The real problem I had with Cat's Cradle was the grotesque and very forced "comedy." Actually, to be more accurate, it was the way Vonnegut turned _everything_ into grotesque and very forced "comedy," and expected me to laugh at it. The prime example of this is that bit where Newt, Hoenikker's midget son, falls in love with a beautiful young circus freak who turns out to be a Russian spy and, moreover, twice as old as Newt. How does that sound to you? To me, it sounds like some gag made on some bad "cult comedy entertainment show," and it was genuinely painful to read. Yes, yes, yes, plenty of great literature contains scenes in which characters suffer painful humiliation - but _this_ scene made me feel, very uncomfortably, that Vonnegut _himself_ was actively getting off on inflicting this sort of mean-spirited, artless tripe on his characters. And then there was that bit with Frank Hoenikker, the missing son who suddenly became second-in-command in a small island dictatorship, when he suddenly tells the protagonist where and why he had been secretively running about throughout his youth. Which would've been possible to ignore, if not for the exposition, in which we view him as a talented, creative human being and are told what he _really_ spent his time doing. Why did the author ever bother characterizing him if he was just going to turn it into another hideous caricature with no depth later on? Why am I supposed to laugh at people being abased for no reason? Oh, wait, I get it. It's supposed to prove some kind of facile "point" about how "life is really one big joke!" Insightful.
I could say more. I could talk about the utterly awful "Calypsos," about the way Vonnegut bludgeons the reader with his overwrought message, about that silly religious terminology, and about other things. But that's all secondary. The science fiction element is original, and Vonnegut's an inventive and imaginative author, but this book simply left a bad taste in my mouth.
Book Review: A Funny, Philosophical, Superb Romp-to-the-end.
Summary: 4 Stars
Vonnegut writes the book with the question that "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" plays with on a different level, all the while throwing in philosophies, wit, and things to ponder on and about during the COLD WAR. The narrator (first-person incompetent) is somewhat vacant, and being so, maneuvers the story the best way possible.
The narrator is writing a book on the atomic bomb and he travels about meeting strange people who know the creators of the bomb. The characters he meets are funny and strange (You would have to be an oddball to be toying with doomsday.). In his journey he finds the sons and daughter of the inventor of the A-bomb. He finds that these three are an eccentric and foolish trio. The daughter and sons hold with them ice-nine, a weapon that makes the a-bomb seem infantile. Ice-nine was an attempt by their father to make battlefields (mud) solidify, making battle easier on soldiers. It winds up making any moisture it touches solid and blue, but its one flaw is, once put into the atmosphere it regenerates without stopping, freezing everything in its path(including human beings).
Vonnegut throws in the element of Bokononism, a quirky, weird religion spawned by an eccentric, self-made prophet named Bokonon. This angle plays in the mind of the reader as it debases the relevancy of all religions, thus, for example, making Catholicism or Islam just as strange as Bokononism. Bokononists chant about man being born of the "mud."
Symbolically the three children holding ice-nine, a single flake of which will end mankind as we know it, stand for three world superpowers. It shows that anyone, no matter how high in power, can be foolish, and should have no access to such an element of destruction. The ice-nine is just a symbol of the end of mankind through the folly of science, for the ice-nine turns things bluish white, like ice--putting man in another ice-age, destroying all "mud". The island of San Lorenzo is like Cuba--through its history no one really cared about anyone else ceasing it, but since there is an odd belief there(Bokononism/Communism),people poke around there now. It shows how such a small place, like Cuba, in the Cold War, could be ground-zero for the end of humanity, and warns against intervention there.
Being that the Cold War is over, this is an era piece that some may think is stagnate. Yet the tools to end civilization are still out there, so this book is relevant as long as science and government have and look for a greater means of destruction.
Though this book is funny and eccentric on surface, it is ultimately found to be a political warning. This humorous look at what could be the end, parallels Orwell's "Nineteen-Eighty-Four" in the field of political writing for the sake of warning (Orwell warns about the threat of Totalitarianism, Vonnegut warns about man's acute closeness to his own demise). This book is not as hard-nosed as "Nineteen-Eighty-Four." It is funny, but this is done to show the folly and incompetence that mankind's demise is handled with: Vonnegut's use of juxtaposition is without flaw.
Bokonon adds a religious facet to this novel. He ultimately shows folly and incompetence in the creation of something other than doomsday devices--religion. After the reader drops the hypocrisy of thinking their religion is "the one," Vonnegut brings up the question: Were people like Jesus or Mohammed just fools out spreading nonsense for the sake of an ego-trip?
This book touches on so many intense questions. It puts forth a vehicle for such deep introspection, yet it is hilarious. I only wish I were to have read this in the mind set of the world in the early sixties, when this book was first published. Vonnegut was way ahead of his time with this one. His writing, when dissected, makes me think he is one of the great thinkers of the twentieth-century into the twenty-first...
Book Review: Apotheosis and Apocalypse to a Calypso beat
Summary: 5 Stars
Dr. Asa Breed, scientist from the research laboratory of the General Forge and Foundation Company, had this statement to say about Dr. Felix Hoenicker, one of the founding fathers of the atomic bomb as well as the creator of "Ice Nine:"
"I told you all this in order to give you some insight into the extraordinary novelty of the ways which Felix was likely to approach an old problem."
The statement could easily become non-fiction if the word "Felix" was replaced with "Kurt Vonnegut." Vonnegut is a master of spinning a crazy web of seemingly random events that poignantly, clearly spell out a very clear and crystallized point.
Vonnegut is a crafty-sneaky writer. Two skills, which many writers have individually, but few have in tandem, set him apart from other writers. First, he has the ability to present his story as an unrelated series of random events. The "hero" seems to be victim of merciless random forces that confront him with strange events and experiences. However, the story remains tight and coherent and Vonnegut's points are amazingly clear.
Second, in the true science fiction tradition, Vonnegut makes bizarre, incredible and completely fictitious creations seems completely plausible. Taken together, he seems to repetitively beat the reader over the head with rather salient life observations hidden behind bizarrely incredulous premises. With the exception of "Slaughter-House Five," Cat's Cradle may be Vonnegut's best demonstration of these two most characteristic skills.
He starts the story with the narrator giving a brief explanation as to why is called Jonah (which he is never referred to as for the remainder of the story):
"...somebody or something has compelled me to be certain places at certain times, without fail. Conveyances and motives, both conventional and bizarre, have been provided. And according to plan, at each appointed second, at each appointed place this Jonah was there."
Similar to other Vonnegut Heroes (Billy Pilgrim, Rabo Karabekian are two), Jonah passively and seemingly haphazardly drifts among nonsensical events. For Jonah, the terminal destination is President of the island republic of San Lorenzo. During his journey, he meets a motley cast of characters seemingly unrelated. For sneaky Vonnegut, they are related, many of even them belong to his own karass.
Secondly, Vonnegut is the master science fiction writer. Two science fictional concepts that Vonnegut creates in Cat's Cradle are the scientific invention of "Ice Nine" and the religion of "Bokononism." Both Bokononism and Ice Nine are the centerpieces of the novel, so they had to suspend the reader's disbelief, or the story would die. With Ice Nine, Vonnegut needed to create a scientific discovery that was capable of destroying the earth. He did it, and explained in a simple and believable manner. Very clever. The religion of Bokononism includes its own philosophy, last rites and vocabulary (karass, granfalloons, pool-pah, foma, wampeter, etc). Similarly, he defines religion as "better and better lies" intended as an "instrument of hope." On San Lorenzo, everyone is a Bokononist, and Jonah becomes one over the course of the story. Most of the Bokonon philosophy is presented as short statements, often only in short, Confucius-like statements and often provided to a calypso beat. My favorite Bokonon saying is: "Maturity is the bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy something."
The story provides some insight into the extraordinary novelty of the ways which Vonnegut is likely to approach an old problem. Cat's Cradle asks the tough question of what is morality in an existential world. The ultimate answer, unfortunately, is self-destruction.
Book Review: Busy, Busy, Busy
Summary: 5 Stars
"Don't be a fool! Close this book at once! It is nothing but foma! [lies]"
In "The Cat's Cradle," Vonnegut provides an ironic and satiric look at religion, science, and ethics. The storyline consists of John and his attempts at researching Felix Hoenikker, one of the fathers of the atomic bomb, as he attempts to write a book about Hiroshima. Although Vonnegut's novel is intended as humorous, a powerful message lies beneath the surface. Vonnegut explores the purpose and role of religion, and delves into the philosophical debate on science and ethics.
Bokononism, the religion of a tiny banana republic, San Lorenzo, is the central focus in Vonnegut's expose on religion. Bokonon, its founder, was shipwrecked onto this tiny island and, with the help of McCabe, attempts to transform the backward and exploited island into a utopia. When this proves impossible, Bokonon invents his religion. Although admitting that Bokononism is "nothing but lies," it provides a distraction to the San Lorenzoans and inspires meaning and fulfillment in their lives of misery. Although the Books of Bokonon are predicated on blatant falsehoods, its devotion and practice provide the reason for existence for the impoverished San Lorenzoans, even with the specter of capital punishment to those who practice it. Even their dictator is an adamant follower. The essence of Vonnegut's philosophy is best illustrated in the Bokononist tale of creation, in which a playful God tells man that his purpose in life is to figure out what that purpose is, for the implicit message is that there is no grand purpose or plan for life.
The symbolism of the "Cat's Cradle" further illustrates this point. A game played with string by children, this was the game played by Felix Hoenikker on the day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This had such an impact on Newt, his youngest son, that he later creates an abstract painting of the cat's cradle, then laments how maddening this game is, for it nothing but a "bunch of X's": "No d--n cat, no d--n cradle." This illusory game symbolizes that life has no true purpose, much like the X-shaped strings that form nothing tangible.
In John's pursuit of Felix, he discovers that, although he may have had a brilliant scientific mind, he failed to take responsibility or to see any danger in his work. Although Felix had no malicious or odious intents when he worked on the bomb, he also exhibited no remorse at its implications. He was far from innocent. His lack of ill intent was not enough, as it was his responsibility to restrain what he unleashed on the world. He viewed his work as pure research and nothing more. Indeed, his very last invention, Ice-9, which has the frightening implications of destroying all earthly life, was worked on as a hobby. He took no moral view of the implications of his work and selfishly failed to see beyond his own self-fulfillment. Through Felix, Vonnegut sends a powerful message that it is the moral obligations of scientists and engineers to be accountable for the potentially destructive nature of their work.
Penned in the early 1960s, "The Cat's Cradle" does contain some campy sci-fi elements. The scientific explanation of Ice-9 seems quite a stretch, even for a 1960s sci-fi novel parody. Furthermore, most of the characters are one-dimensional caricatures of an abstract group. There is no real character development. However, this was not Vonnegut's main purpose, which was to illustrate the inherent evil of irresponsible scientists and the fallacy of religion. In these respects, Vonnegut delivers.
Overall, this is an easy read, but is entertaining and thought-provoking.
Book Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
"Don't be a fool! Close this book at once! It is nothing but foma! Foma of course, are lies" (177). This is the title page of "The Books of Bokonon" (177), the fictional and Nihilistic religion in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. Vonnegut uses Bokononism as a device to communicate his social commentary on science, religion, and human stupidity. Although Cat's Cradle is a witty, black comedy based around the end of the world, it makes you think while you are laughing. This book is a beautifully written classic and is an essential read for any fan of Vonnegut's work.
This novel starts out with the narrator, John, doing research for his book about "what important Americans had done on the day when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima" (11). This leads John to the "father of the first atomic bomb" (14), Felix Hoenikker, and his very unusual family. He has a midget son named Newt and his other son, Franklin, is the assistant to the dictator of the island of San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo is the main setting of the story and is home to religious leader, Bokonon. While on the island, the old dictator dies and John becomes president. Before Felix died, he made a substance called ice-nine, which makes water freeze at room temperature, simply because he thought it was interesting. Ironically, combined with human stupidity this crystal of ice leads to the destruction of all life on the planet.
Cat's Cradle is a cynical and pessimistic portrayal of humanity. Vonnegut owes this outlook to his harsh life. His mother committed suicide on mother's day in 1944; he was a prisoner of war during the firebombing of Dresden; he watched his sister die of cancer; and he himself tried to commit suicide in 1984. His experiences in the war and his life have led him to become a pacifist and this moral vision shows through in Cat's Cradle.
Underneath the humor in this novel, Vonnegut gives cutting social commentary. His thoughts about religion are demonstrated through Bokononism. Bokonon says, "she was a fool, and so am I, and so is anyone who thinks he sees what God is Doing" (13), showing Vonnegut's disapproval of organized religion and its interpretation of god. He also writes that when man asked God about the meaning of life, God replied, "'everything must have a purpose? Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this', and He went away" (177). Bokononism holds that the only meaning in life is to search for a purpose. Although this Bokononism is meant to parody religion, it brings up interesting existential questions about the meaninglessness of life.
When this book was written, Vonnegut was commenting on the Cold War and the foolishness of man in building weapons that could destroy the world. In today's age of the "weapons of mass destruction" and impending doom from terrorists, these themes and ideas are still applicable. He ironically has the "father of the atomic bomb" (14) creating a simple crystal of ice that eventually destroys the world. This warns against carelessness regarding life and the foolishness of building weapons capable of destroying humanity. Vonnegut makes a convincing argument for pacifism by making fun of the consequences of war and destruction.
In Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut perfectly balances humor with thoughtfulness. This unique style and tone in his writing separates him from any other author and he gets his point across without preaching to the reader. This book is a masterpiece of literature and is Vonnegut's greatest work of art.