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A review by sky_books_pmm
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
What a wild book. Funny, satirical, ironic, and wise at the same time. I hated and loved all the characters unequally, and emotions swung like a pendulum on every page, much like the plot swung like a boat in a storm - finally settling in a morbid eternity as the ocean freezes over with Ice-nine (is that a spoiler? I think it was pretty clear from the beginning what was to happen).
I do wish this book focused more on what it promised in the beginning, though. Mad scientist, freak children, mysterious coincidences - it really leads one on into the Point Of No DNF in a novel, then swerves off the tracks into a depressing little island on which nothing but the end of the world happens, and a bunch of cynics have hilariously sad conversations.
Again with the books recommended by other people, though, I think they raise my expectations too high. I was on the verge of giving this three stars before I realised that though it didn't 'change my life', it was a great little book, that did everything it intended to, and was funny on the way.
One thing I would ask the author though, if I got to meet him, is: "Why this story? An entire world at your fingertips to display the stupidity and pointlessness of everything and mankind, why Ice-nine? Why Mr. President Hoosier? And how did you do it?"
I do wish this book focused more on what it promised in the beginning, though. Mad scientist, freak children, mysterious coincidences - it really leads one on into the Point Of No DNF in a novel, then swerves off the tracks into a depressing little island on which nothing but the end of the world happens, and a bunch of cynics have hilariously sad conversations.
Again with the books recommended by other people, though, I think they raise my expectations too high. I was on the verge of giving this three stars before I realised that though it didn't 'change my life', it was a great little book, that did everything it intended to, and was funny on the way.
One thing I would ask the author though, if I got to meet him, is: "Why this story? An entire world at your fingertips to display the stupidity and pointlessness of everything and mankind, why Ice-nine? Why Mr. President Hoosier? And how did you do it?"