Cat's Cradle: A Novel by Kurt Vonnegut Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Cat's Cradle: A Novel
Book Review: A Magical Mystery Tour!
Summary: 5 Stars
I once heard Kurt Vonnegut speak at a commencement ceremony at a Bennington College in Vermont in 1970, when his daughter was graduating with a bachelor's degree. He spoke quite eloquently about what graduates should do with their lives, and I remember parts of that wonderful speech as if it were yesterday. Indeed, Kurt Vonnegut is a writer of prodigious talents, a visionary seer disguised as an ordinary man, a contemporary wise man who speaks to us in amusing yet frightening allegories about the nature of contemporary man and the absurd technological culture he lives in today. This book, "Cat's Cradle", is among his finest novels, like most of his others, a work combining a wry sensibility with an amusing ability to confect sweet sounding yet bitter-tasting tales of mayhem and woe. The plot of Cats Cradle is pure science fiction, and revolves around work to create a way to help American tanks more mobile in rain soaked and muddy circumstances, when such an ability to transverse the impossible terrain would give our guys in their tanks an overwhelming advantage over their evil foes. Our protagonist is a scientist working on isotope of water (called Ice -9) that has the ability to crystallize water into a unique form of ice that does not need freezing temperatures to crystallize. With such a capability, the Army could solidify the water in the mud, making it firm and allowing our tanks to roll over it with impunity. The problem is that once introduced into the ground, the compound has untoward effects no one had considered. And the basis for the cautionary tale is spun.
All of this is just the premise that allows Vonnegut to explore the far reaches of human behavior and the insane ways in which our culture is operating. It is a brilliant work, one that delves into the deep recesses of what we are, why we are that way, and where we seem to be going. It is at once a satire, a running commentary on the nature of our institutions, and the way in which we lie, cheat, and pretend to be people we are not, and as in his wild and wacky novel "Mother Night", shows why you should be afraid of who it is you are pretending to be, for it may come back to haunt you. This book literally explodes with a plethora of stinging insights into contemporary society, and constitutes a brilliant, albeit ironic, diagnosis of what a contradiction it is to be a human being trying to live a sane life in an insane world. This really is magical mystery tour, and one that will take your breath away. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Book Review: A Masterpiece from a Masterful hand
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book when I was 12. My father gave it to me. He is a man of science and always quoted from it or praised it's subtlety and lifelong lessons that dwelt within. I didn't really understand it when I first read it. I picked it up a few weeks ago after my semester ended and blew through it in a single night. It isn't very long and can be conquered in a single sitting. I actually recommend reading it in one shot because the voices of each character will resonate more if they remain fresh.
The sly humor and unique language of the book is it's greatest reward. Vonnegut has the rare gift of allowing the reader to engage in the subject matter even if it is heavily scientific or partially obscured by an intellectual layer that might be harder to penetrate if not for Vonnegut's expert hands.
It's really impossible to describe any part of the plot without spoiling anything for a future reader. I'll just say this: you'll comprehend the limits of the human mind, heart, and the intricacies of the scientific stratum long after you turn the final page. A modern classic.
Book Review: A Masterpiece of Speculative Fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
Fascinating story that puts forth some very interesting ideas on the purpose of religious belief. Highly Recommended. Quotes from the text: "All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies." "Anyone who cannot understand how useful a religion based on lies can be will not understand this book either." "Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy."