Cat's Cradle: A Novel
by Kurt Vonnegut
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Book Reviews of Cat's Cradle: A Novel
Book Review: He Dared so We Could Only Relate
Summary: 4 Stars
What is society? Why does society leave behind those who influence it most? Why are some of the firmest establishments religion? Kurt Vonnegut dared to answer these ever-pondered questions in Cat's Cradle, a novel daring to talk about things that most men do not. Vonnegut satirically and facetiously explains and defines society, through a story about a bomb, a midget, a clarinet player, a mad scientist, and a man who just wanted some answers. How could Vonnegut have used these tools to explain such a large and vital factor? That is the magic of the novel as well as his unique and intense art. Vonnegut picked apart society's aspects and analyzed them, and then he proceeded to put them all back together, allowing one to look at the whole in a new light. The narrator does this through meeting people and describing their place in society effectively. However, when those characters were introduced, the author did not simply just bring them in and begin his descriptions, both physical and intellectual. All the descriptions of the vital characters were researched and unveiled to the reader beforehand, and of course Vonnegut always had a way of slipping them into the scene. By the time they were in the picture, the reader already knew them or knew of them. This factor made the novel enjoyable to exponential amounts. Vonnegut also challenged Christianity, and wondered why it was the firmest leaning post people have, especially American people. Why wouldn't a religion like Bokonon, the religion of the narrator, with its bittersweet lies aimed only at pleasing society, surpass this main stream religion, with its harsh truthfulness. The author's approach to this fact made the story fascinating because of the brightness and boldness of the idea.
The structure of the novel, with small, neat 1 or 2 page chapters, depicts how thought is broken up into thought, just like the recollection that regular thinkers go through every day. The chapters do refer to each other interchangeably to make the story comprehensible. The titles of each of the chapters pertain to small details included in the text that stuck out in the narrator's mind. Any person can relate to this type of thought, since it is involved in any recalling of any story. The reader then flies through the novel and digests the story as any other would their own. This novel was incredible in the fact that Vonnegut dared to challenge so that in the end, the reader could do nothing but relate to his conjectures.
Book Review: Cat's Cradle
Summary: 5 Stars
The novel Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is a prime example of the science fiction genre. The novel contains a perfect blend of scientific logic and literary fiction, making it both believable and entertaining at once. The story is the fictitious memoirs of a writer named John, who is doing research for a book he plans to write about the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. His curiosity spurs a chain of events, and he soon is caught in the middle of the intricate web of secrets and lies of the Hoenikkers, the children of Felix Hoenikker, the father of the atomic bomb. John soon discovers that the children possess a synthetic compound called Ice Nine, an isotope of H20 whose unique structure gives it properties unique from any other material on Earth. The discovery of Ice Nine proves to be the turning point of the novel, and Ice Nine ultimately plays a key role in the conclusion of the story. I found Cat's Cradle to be an insightful and brilliantly composed novel. Cat's Cradle has the captivating plot that is characteristic to science fiction novels, but it separates itself from other novels in its genre with its sense of reality. Despite some of its far-fetched aspects, while reading Cat's Cradle, I couldn't help but think that it was a true story. Vonnegut's detailed characterization, believable setting, and blend of fictitious occurrences and historic events make the novel seem as realistic as an autobiography. Vonnegut also did a great job using irony and black humor to express the hidden themes of the novel. Cat's Cradle offers a cynical and insightful view into the worlds of religion, technology, science, and government. Although I consider this novel to be one of most well written works of science fiction ever composed, it does contain a few minor downsides. This book is written in an odd format, and it is set up as a collection of interconnecting anecdotes. Although this format gives Cat's Cradle a unique and interesting feel, it can make the plot confusing to understand at times. The only other downside is that the symbolism and hidden meaning of many of the events and people in the novel can be difficult to decipher at times. For these reasons, I would recommend this book to people ages 16 and above who read at a sophisticated level. I would certainly recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in science, as well as anyone who is interested by politically and socially ironic literature.Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't like sci-fi, but I loved this. This is the first Vonnegut I've read (I took a chance after reading so much praise for it) and it definitely won't be the last. It's one of those rare and wonderful books in the same vein as Animal Farm: simple prose, easy to read, yet with ironic tinges and thought-provoking depths; a novel that can be read and enjoyed at many different levels.Cat's Cradle is narrated through Jonah, an author who aims to write a book on the single day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. On investigating the atomic bomb's main founding father (and his three children) he is told about a *non-existant* substance with the capacity to provide all water on earth with a different molecular structure, turning it into Ice 9 (ie, a substance that could bring about the end of the world) A different assignment takes Jonah to the small island of San Lorenzo where he encounters Felix Hoenikker's three children and a society where the religion of choice (a religion that everyone knows is based on lies, yet still has utter faith in) is punishable by death, for the simple fact that it adds excitement to the dull lives of the inhabitants. I won't go any further...
The thing that delighted me most about this book was the way in which it was written. A lot of great and influential books are ones that (on the whole) you enjoy, but take a while to get into, and at times you feel like giving up on: you know the book in question is good literature, but the style and plot make finishing it seem a chore.
Similarly, a lot of fast-paced books hold little impact, don't challenge the mind and are forgotten the instant you read them.
Kurt Vonnegut has managed to write a powerful and memorable novel in a short, snappy style: this book has everything that makes a compelling, challenging read. Vonnegut lets you get a feel for the characters without going into lengthy descriptions, he manages to make sharp, subtle criticisms of religion, human nature and society without rambling or whining, his plot is exciting yet not unrealistic, he creates a hellish world that plays on everyone's fear of obliteration in precious few words. I thought the ending was too abrupt, but it fitted well with the rest of the story (and it would have been even more disappointing if he'd created a satisfying, everything-tied-up-nicely ending)
I found this impossible to put down, and highly recommend it to any fan of literature.
Book Review: Very good book, but not my favorite of Vonnegut's
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm an avid Vonnegut reader. Though I have not read all of his novels, I've read many- I would say roughly half, give or take one or two.
As you may already know, the premise for the book is that the author is writing a book on the father of the atomic bomb, Dr. Felix Hoeniker. He ends up learning about a more devastating weapon (if you will call it), Ice-9. Ice-9 is by far more devastating because it freezes all water immediately upon touch, with the ability to freeze the world if ever exposed to great bodies of water.
The book's main focus is on the ugly side of science- Developing new things that create more harm than good, without realizing the consequences. Another focus of the book is on religion's role in society and in persons' lives and how it affects both.
Anyways, I do not wish to give too much away. To do so would 1) Spoil your read, and 2) Take up too much time.
The book is a good read, though not among my favorite Vonnegut books. However, I attribute this to personal preference, rather than Cat's Cradle being an inferior book. Indeed, any Vonnegut book is heads and shoulders above much of the rest. Many people may disagree, but I did not find the many characters to be fleshed out very well in comparison to some of his other works (Bluebeard comes to mind). Also, comparatively speaking and consistent with my previous statement, I felt that the main characters didn't grow as much as I would've liked (but this is not to say that they didn't grow). Again, these are my opinions and I'm sure that some, if not many, would disagree.
In conclusion, Cat's Cradle is a solid read with clever insight into religion and technology's affect on society, for both good and bad. If you're new to Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle isn't a bad start, though I would suggest Breakfast of Champions (arguably Vonnegut's most accessible book), Slaughter House Five (his most renowned), Welcome to the Monkey's House (not extra spectacular, but short stories are a good way to see if you like his style), or Sirens of Titan (his most underrated book and tied with another one of his as my favorite). If you're familiar with Vonnegut, then Cat's Cradle is a very reasonable book to pick up. Either way, there's a good chance there's something you'll keep with you when you finish Cat's Cradle.
Book Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Cat's Cradle is a strangely written book. It is a tale of discovery, a quest for knowledge, and also the end of the world. I feel that Cat's Cradle is a great book, although I am not familiar with the rest of Vonnegut's work, I have the need to read more of his work after reading Cat's Cradle. The characters in the book have a varying depth to each other, and at times it seems like some characters are constructed in a somewhat shallow manor (Angela), some are deeply based and have a lot of back-story behind them (Frank). I really enjoyed the plot as well, this book truly takes the reader on a ride, where they have no idea where the ride will end. It was a great feeling, after reading this book, to look back to the beginning and remember that the main character (Jonah/John) had originally set out to write a book.The book begins with our main character (Jonah/John) setting out to write a book about the day in which the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Jonah's task is to gather as much information as he can about the so-called father of the atom bomb (Dr. Felix Hoenikker). Hoenikker, however, has passed on, so it is up to Jonah to obtain information on the doctor, through his three children (Newton, Franklin, and Angela). After correspondence with Newt, Jonah travels to the research lab where Dr.Hoenikker previously worked, and we are introduced to Dr. Asa Breed. Breed talks with Jonah about Hoenikker's work habits and his behaviors. And then, the topic of Ice-Nine comes up. Without giving away too much, Ice-Nine is capable of causing the end of the world. In a quest to find yet even more information about Dr.Hoenikker, Jonah attempts to track down Frank Hoenikker, who is believed dead. The search for Frank leads Jonah to a small remote island. The rest I will not spoil.
Perhaps the most prevalent theme in the book is Bokononism, a fictional religion. Bokononism really is the backbone of this book, especially the elements leading up to the climax of the book. I will give away this much about the book, Bokonon teaches that all religion is lies, and that there is no way to truly know what God wants or what his will is. The purpose of the whole Bokonon angle is irony. I will give away no more.
Cat's Cradle could very well be considered a masterpiece. Plain and simple.