Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

20 reviews

emoryscott's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I enjoyed this read. Several times, I found myself laughing aloud. I don’t think I fully understood the broader picture that Vonnegut was trying to paint with this story, but here and there I was able to notice the deeper meaning. Vonnegut is a tricky author to read, but he can be very reflective. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Colonisation, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Cancer, Confinement, Vomit, Death, and Racial slurs

salm0n's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I went in to this book knowing nothing about it and have finished feeling like I've always known the story. This book is reflective, witty, and attention holding-- a wonderful introduction to Vonnegut's writing. The ending is just brilliant. I think we all could learn something from Bokononism.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Suicide

Minor: Alcohol, War, and Slavery

onceandfuturereads's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I expected (mind = blown) and got

no cat, no cradle

…not that

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Animal death

mengzhenreads's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Lots of good food for thought, but funnier than Slaughterhouse Five. Seriously insane mind, like the creativity is fully on another level.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Ableism

Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Racism

Minor: Suicide

emmalouisereads's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

I will admit, whatever the humour was here, went over my head. It seemed you needed to remember a load of nonsense made-up words to follow what on earth was going on here. 

What didn’t go over my head was the problematic language, including a lot of super unnecessary ableism.

I was glad when this book was over.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Racial slurs, and Ableism

Moderate: Misogyny and Racism

joensign's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Death

Moderate: Misogyny and Racism

Minor: Body shaming, Animal death, and Suicide

solid_circle's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide

beardelzebub's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Ableism and Sexism

Minor: Racial slurs

ru_th's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

The Fourteenth Book is entitled, ‘What Can a Thoughtful Man Hope for Mankind on Earth, Given the Experience of the Past Million Years?’
It doesn’t take long to read The Fourteenth Book. It consists of one word and a period. 
This is it:
‘Nothing.’

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide

idreamofmeme's review against another edition

dark funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Science vs Religion: Who does more for humanity? The answer may surprise you!
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Anthropology and religious "worldbuilding" seemlessly flow with the actual plot. Its very funny in places, while still mainting a tone that doesn't undermine the more serious moments. The one  criticism I would make is: Mona has no agency. This seems to be a repeating problem in Vonnegut's writing; He can write female characters fine, but he can't resist having at least one who only exists for male gratifcation. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, and Suicide

Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent

Minor: Confinement, Racial slurs, and Vomit

Ableist language throught, particularly about a character with restricted growth. Dated rather than malicious, Vonnegut always shows great empathy for all of his characters.