99 pages 3 hours read

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Cat's Cradle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1963

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In the early 1960s, writer John investigates the day the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and delves into the life of Dr. Felix Hoenikker, whose invention helped create the bomb. His journey takes him to the fictional island of San Lorenzo, where he learns about the ice-nine substance Dr. Hoenikker created, and the perils it presents. The narrative explores themes of science, technology, and religion against the Cold War backdrop. This text addresses death by suicide and sexual assault.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Cat's Cradle merges dark comedy with science fiction, exploring humanity's flaws through satirical prose. Critics applaud its wit and inventive narrative but note its fragmented plot can be disorienting. Its cautionary tale about technology and religion remains resonant, earning praise for Vonnegut's incisive social critique and memorable characters.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Cat's Cradle?

A reader who would enjoy Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is likely someone who appreciates satirical, thought-provoking literature with a blend of dark humor and science fiction. Fans of Slaughterhouse-Five by Vonnegut or Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, which also scrutinize societal issues through a critical and comedic lens, will find it compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Satire

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Humor

Period

Post Modernism

Themes

Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger