Cat’s Cradle is Kurt Vonnegut’s satirical commentary on modern man and his madness. An apocalyptic tale of this planet’s ultimate fate, it features a midget as the protagonist, a complete, original theology created by a calypso singer, and a vision of the future that is at once blackly fatalistic and hilariously funny. A book that left an indelible mark on an entire generation of readers, Cat’s Cradle is one of the twentieth century’s most important works—and Vonnegut at his very best.
Cat's Cradle (Kurt Vonnegut Series)
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Cat's Cradle, one of Vonnegut's most entertaining novels, is filled with scientists and G-men and even ordinary folks caught up in the game. These assorted characters chase each other around in search of the world's most important and dangerous substance, a new form of ice that freezes at room temperature. At one time, this novel could probably be found on the bookshelf of every college kid in America; it's still a fabulous read and a great place to start if you're young enough to have missed the first Vonnegut craze.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Vonnegut's 1963 satirical science fiction novel still manages to pack a powerfully subversive punch. The new audio release offers listeners an excellent opportunity to connect—or reconnect—with a classic text whose thematic elements—nuclear terror, the complications of science, American imperialism, global capitalism and the role of religion in public life—are remarkably relevant to our 21st-century landscape. The story line centers on a young writer's quest to research the history of the atomic bomb, which leads to a bizarre political soap opera and apocalyptic showdown on the shores of a seedy banana republic in the Caribbean. Tony Roberts brings tremendous energy to his reading, projecting a sardonic tone perfectly suited to Vonnegut. His portrayals of the principal male figures sometimes take the form of interchangeable over-the-top carnival barkers, but given the essence of the material, such a unnuanced approach can be understood and appreciated. The audiobook includes a 2005 interview in which Vonnegut—who died April 11, 2007—discusses how his life shaped his literary craft. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is by far one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Vonnegut brings this fictional story to life with great detail at every turn. From the creation of ice nine to Bokonism, Vonnegut weaves a complex but entirely believable story. The novel begins with the main character John who is writing a book on the day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima called The Day the World Ended. His writing this book leads him to his destiny as he travels to the laboratory where the bomb was created and then to San Lorenzo where he becomes president. San Lorenzo's founder, Bokonon, created a religion for the people. This is an average idea except for the fact that Bokonism seems uncannily real, with it's own terms and practices all created by Vonnegut. This novel is a masterpiece.
Cat's Cradle is fast passed, deeply detailed, and very interesting. The novel is very ironic and a must read for everyone. Kurt Vonnegut weaves a great story that never lets you down. Through its outlandish turns and twists Vonnegut makes it seem so very real. This novel is definitely a 5 out of 5.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Kurt Vonnegut is nothing short of a magician. Call him a writer if you must, but it seems unfitting for a man who weaves yarns about new religions, Ukranian midget dancers, apocalyptic chemical inventions, and feet-rubbing fornication. Writer just doesn't do justice.
Regardless, Cat's Cradle is a wonderful read and a heck of a time. Plot, character, and setting, as always in Vonnegut's work, take a back seat to the infectuos humor and unconventional writing style of its author.
The narrator is named Jonah, a writer who wishes to conduct a non-fiction story revolving the lives of people surrounding the Atom Bomb titled "The Day The World Ended". From this moment, our wild ride begins as we are introduced to the great cast of characters, including Dr. Felix Hoenikker, one of the so-called "Fathers" of the Atom Bomb, who may or may not have created a chemical capable of turning all the worlds water supply into ice, his family, the president(dictator)of a small Pacific Island San Marcos, Papa Manzano, and his lovely daughter, all the way down to Bokonon himself, founder of the Bokonon faith which is based in foma (lies). The journey through Vonnegut's mind is a worthwile one, if nothing else for his startling creativity, and hilariously bleak view at humanity. I will leave you with this quote from the great books of Bokonon:
"Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way."
Well said.
By SBuckle
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Is it a funny book?"
"I hope so, Mom."
This said about Cat's Cradle, a novel where the world comes to an end. And it is funny realizing that humanity's foibles are anything but weak. They're actually powerful where we're condemned repeaters of past mistakes, which is why creating powerful weapons of destruction (nukes) comes with an inevitable fate. Buried in the satire Vonnegut is renowned for is this commentary on humanity's willful ignorance of history and the obviousness of screwing everything up or fate as some would have it.
"I hope so, Mom."
This said about Cat's Cradle, a novel where the world comes to an end. And it is funny realizing that humanity's foibles are anything but weak. They're actually powerful where we're condemned repeaters of past mistakes, which is why creating powerful weapons of destruction (nukes) comes with an inevitable fate. Buried in the satire Vonnegut is renowned for is this commentary on humanity's willful ignorance of history and the obviousness of screwing everything up or fate as some would have it.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just a little below 5 stars
Like most of Vonnegut's books, 'Cat's Cradle' is funny and intelligent. His wit is sharp and his observations hilarious. Definitely worth reading! Read more
Published on Dec 14 2007 by Benjamin Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't go wrong with any Vonnegut book
While my all-time favorite Vonnegut book is "God Bless You Mr. Rosewater," my second in line is this one----"Cat's Cradle. Read more
Published on Mar 10 2006 by Frank Shelbot
5.0 out of 5 stars
You'll Dig It!
In Vonnegut's novel, a Manhattan novelist has decided to write a novel about what people were doing on the day that the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, which brings him into... Read more
Published on July 21 2005 by Janette
5.0 out of 5 stars
You'll Dig It!
In Vonnegut's novel, a Manhattan novelist has decided to write a novel about what people were doing on the day that the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, which brings him into... Read more
Published on July 21 2005 by Janette
5.0 out of 5 stars
You'll Dig It!
In Vonnegut's novel, a Manhattan novelist has decided to write a novel about what people were doing on the day that the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, which brings him into... Read more
Published on Jun 2 2005 by Janette
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meoooooww
For those that like humor (think McCrae in his "Bark of the Dogwood") and great writing, (think Toole in "Confederacy of Dunces") then you'll enjoy this book. Read more
Published on Feb 12 2005 by ThomsEBynum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doomsday was never more fun
This early classic was one of the books that made Vonnegut famous, and probably the first book where he really found successfully his particular style of black comedy. Read more
Published on July 19 2004 by Alex Frantz
1.0 out of 5 stars
Light on meaning, heavy on pessimism
This is the third book that I have read by Vonnegut. I also read Sirens of Titan and Wampeters, Foma, and Grandfalloons, his Autobio. Look, he's witty, but not deep. He is a cynic. Read more
Published on July 14 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book
This book is amazing, it's really easy to read, very difficult to put down, and it still manages to convey great meaning, probably Kurt Vonnegut's best book, next to The Sirens of... Read more
Published on Jun 28 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Work of Kurt Vonnegut, a Pioneer of Thought
I speak such powerful words of the author in the title above because I am a tremendously devoted fan of his. Read more
Published on Jun 17 2004 by Cruz Bustamonte
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