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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Loved this book from start to finish. Huge fan of Vonnegut’s satirical style - it reads a lot like Dr Strangelove (which also happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time). Also loved the short chapters that just flow right into each-other: something about it just kept me reading for hours at a time.
Speaking of Dr Strangelove, I think satire like this is really some of the most powerful media we have. Hyper-realistic storytelling can be great and moving for sure, but there’s something about stories like Cats Cradle and Strangelove that do more to scare the shit out of you than anything else. Characters bumbling their way to destroying the world (as happens at the end of both) is much more frightening, and possibly much closer to the truth, than less light-hearted forms of storytelling. It’s the blasé way they’re just like “well shit, we just ended life as we know it” that forces you to think about just how many idiots like you hold the power of so much destruction in their hands.
Loved the religious aspects in here too. Bokononism is the pure distillation of religious fervor into a hilariously self-conscious form. It’s the thing that brings all those on San Lorenzo simultaneously hope and fear, all while accepting it’s all a lie. In the end, we all do something similar, choosing to accept hopeful lies instead of a bleak truth.
Speaking of Dr Strangelove, I think satire like this is really some of the most powerful media we have. Hyper-realistic storytelling can be great and moving for sure, but there’s something about stories like Cats Cradle and Strangelove that do more to scare the shit out of you than anything else. Characters bumbling their way to destroying the world (as happens at the end of both) is much more frightening, and possibly much closer to the truth, than less light-hearted forms of storytelling. It’s the blasé way they’re just like “well shit, we just ended life as we know it” that forces you to think about just how many idiots like you hold the power of so much destruction in their hands.
Loved the religious aspects in here too. Bokononism is the pure distillation of religious fervor into a hilariously self-conscious form. It’s the thing that brings all those on San Lorenzo simultaneously hope and fear, all while accepting it’s all a lie. In the end, we all do something similar, choosing to accept hopeful lies instead of a bleak truth.
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Vonnegut! I don’t think I’ll ever want to reread this but there’s definitely value in reading it once. I will say I was more engaged in the setting up of all the characters and situations, the actual laying down of the pieces was just expected.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Funny and dark, the book builds its way to an amazing punchline.
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Racism, Suicide
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
Lightning in a bottle. I don't know how this book has escaped me for this long, but I feel like my whole life has been a subconscious pursuit of its wonders. Pure ecstasy to read; easily one of my favorite books of all time.