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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I have had this book on my TBR for years in part because it is a modern classic and in part because Ice Nine Kills is my favorite band.
"Cat's Cradle" is the story of "ice nine" and its deadly implications it could have on humankind. Dr. Felix Hoenikker, one of the founding fathers of the atomic bomb, created an elusive substance called ice nine that has eluded experts for years. Following his death, no one knows what happened to ice nine nor what it even was. The narrator of the book is determined to uncover the truth, and he enlists the help of Hoenikker's children.
This was such an interesting novel and I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. The narrator ends up going on such a twisted adventure to uncover the truth about ice nine, and I never knew where he would end up next. I was also fascinated by the mystery around ice nine. What is it? How is it made? What would it mean to the world if it was unleashed? The human mind is capable of great things, and sometimes those things are better left in the human mind.
I will definitely be inclined to read from Kurt Vonnegut in the future.
"Cat's Cradle" is the story of "ice nine" and its deadly implications it could have on humankind. Dr. Felix Hoenikker, one of the founding fathers of the atomic bomb, created an elusive substance called ice nine that has eluded experts for years. Following his death, no one knows what happened to ice nine nor what it even was. The narrator of the book is determined to uncover the truth, and he enlists the help of Hoenikker's children.
This was such an interesting novel and I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. The narrator ends up going on such a twisted adventure to uncover the truth about ice nine, and I never knew where he would end up next. I was also fascinated by the mystery around ice nine. What is it? How is it made? What would it mean to the world if it was unleashed? The human mind is capable of great things, and sometimes those things are better left in the human mind.
I will definitely be inclined to read from Kurt Vonnegut in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
jordan_noel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Cat’s Cradle is a dive into the modern madness of humanity and its inability to remain in a peaceful state. There are contrasts between morals and science that prompt the question of why goodness is important when our nature leads us to destroy ourselves anyway. A demolished, war-driven world seems inevitable with these characters motivated almost solely by their individual interests. The main religion of a hopeless people is openly founded on lies, and yet it is the only religion that these people so devoutly serve. There are no comforts and there are no explanations. It is only chaos.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Colonisation, Alcohol, Grief, Gore, and Racism
katrinarose's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel cheated that I never read this in school. This book is so perfectly suited to an in depth analysis - dissecting of word choice, symbolism, metaphor, and a discussion of the themes surrounding science, religion, and humanity. I feel like I missed a lot of what Vonnegut was trying to convey just doing a quick independent read. I think if I read this in school with the opportunity for that kind of group analysis, this could’ve been 5 stars, but without that, just rating for my enjoyment I give it 3. The absurd and meandering plot left me feeling confused and detached but it was quick and funny read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Classism, Colonisation, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia, Cancer, Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Violence
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Suicide, War, and Ableism
Moderate: Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Colonisation, Confinement, Medical content, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Minor: Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, Grief, Excrement, Genocide, and Slavery
Also includes technically legal but nonetheless predatory age gaps.senpai_no_lie's review against another edition
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
2.75
Some of the language and humor has not aged well. Hints at themes of science, religion, and morality. About the end of the world in a way that's fairly light-hearted and strange. No one is a good person but they're not unlikable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Animal death, and Ableism
Chapters are very short so it's a fast read.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
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.
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.
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