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A review by writervid
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
2.0
2/5
Let's keep it simple:
The themes attacked are well done, even if they make me feel increasingly more nihilistic. Its motifs and ice-nine are more relevant than ever. I loved the structure of the book, like little vignettes coming together to paint a picture.
I hated the characters. I know the point of satire isn't to have likable characters, but characters (especially a main character) with some motivation would be nice, instead of watching them float aimlessly through life with little buildup to actions and feelings (especially when it comes to the MC's perception of Mona, who read like a form of twisted wish fulfillment without development. What the hell?). Also, and this may just be me, but the ideas of imperialism seemed to ring through this book clearer than Bokonism rang through San Lorenzo. Why is Jonah being placed as leader of an island he's been on for what, a week? Why not someone who's lived there?
I don't feel like I gained much from reading this outside of a sense of pointlessness in the world. Kurt Vonnegut wants to shove me over the edge with metaphor and making me think, but I don't want to have to read a book six times to get a vague semblance of what the author is saying (and I fully prescribe to the "read it three times to fully understand it rule"). You have to care first to think.
I'll be reading it again in fall. We'll see if I prefer it then, but for now, I'm sticking to 2 stars.
I much preferred Slaughterhouse 5.
Let's keep it simple:
The themes attacked are well done, even if they make me feel increasingly more nihilistic. Its motifs and ice-nine are more relevant than ever. I loved the structure of the book, like little vignettes coming together to paint a picture.
I hated the characters. I know the point of satire isn't to have likable characters, but characters (especially a main character) with some motivation would be nice, instead of watching them float aimlessly through life with little buildup to actions and feelings (especially when it comes to the MC's perception of Mona, who read like a form of twisted wish fulfillment without development. What the hell?). Also, and this may just be me, but the ideas of imperialism seemed to ring through this book clearer than Bokonism rang through San Lorenzo. Why is Jonah being placed as leader of an island he's been on for what, a week? Why not someone who's lived there?
I don't feel like I gained much from reading this outside of a sense of pointlessness in the world. Kurt Vonnegut wants to shove me over the edge with metaphor and making me think, but I don't want to have to read a book six times to get a vague semblance of what the author is saying (and I fully prescribe to the "read it three times to fully understand it rule"). You have to care first to think.
I'll be reading it again in fall. We'll see if I prefer it then, but for now, I'm sticking to 2 stars.
I much preferred Slaughterhouse 5.