Cat's Cradle

by Kurt Vonnegut | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 038533348x Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingBookworm-ladywing of Madrid, Madrid Spain on 9/26/2021
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
This book is in a Controlled Release! This book is in a Controlled Release!
4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingBookworm-ladywing from Madrid, Madrid Spain on Sunday, September 26, 2021
"This is a satirical commentary on modern man and his madness. An apocalyptic tale of this planet's ultimate fate, it features a midget as the protagonist.; a complete, original theology created by a calypso singer; and a vision of the future that is at once blackly fatalistic and hilariously funny."

A book previously owned by the School Department High School Library from Winchester, Massachussets.
I don't remember how I came by this book; time to continue its travels...

Journal Entry 2 by wingBookworm-ladywing at Madrid, Madrid Spain on Monday, September 27, 2021

Released 3 yrs ago (9/27/2021 UTC) at Madrid, Madrid Spain

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent today this WishList book as a Surprise RABCK to Shahrun.
Surprise... and happy reading!

Journal Entry 3 by Shahrun at Dagenham, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, October 2, 2021
Thank you so much for this surprise RABCK. It really brightened my dull rainy Saturday in London.

Journal Entry 4 by Shahrun at Dagenham, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, December 17, 2022
What started out as a journalist trying to write a book on the history of the atomic bomb quickly very very odd journey to the end of the world when he started following the Bokon religion on the island of San Lorenzo. It’s half total genius, half totally madness. I’d probably need multiple sessions with a therapist to decided exactly what my thoughts were. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I’m confused. There was one section on p89 though that really summer up the world for me:
“…”everything I've heard about it I like," said H. Lowe Crosby.
"They've got discipline. They've got something you can count on from one year to the next.They don't have the government encouraging everybody to be some kind of original pissant nobody ever heard of before."
"Sir??
"Christ, back in Chicago, we don't make bicycles any more. It's all human relations now. The eggheads sit around trying to figure out new ways for everybody to be happy. Nobody can get fired, no matter what; and if somebody does accidentally make a bicycle, the union accuses us of cruel and inhuman practices and the government confiscates the bicycle for back taxes and gives it to a blind man in Afghanistan.”

"And you think things will be better in San Lorenzo?"
"I know damn well they will be. The people down there are poor enough and scared enough and ignorant enough to have some common sense!"

Journal Entry 5 by Shahrun at Dagenham, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, December 17, 2022

Released 1 yr ago (12/17/2022 UTC) at Dagenham, Essex United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Packing up with another book to post off to a BookCrosser.

Journal Entry 6 by 4evagreen at Furness Vale, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Arrived safely along with its friend and other goodies. Many thanks for sharing I look forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 7 by 4evagreen at Furness Vale, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 16, 2023
"Science is magic that works."

Cat’s Cradle was first published in 1963 there are elements that speak of its time. There is misogyny and racial slurs; I'm still unsure as to whether or not a black leader was pivotal to the destruction of mankind and that a white man came along as saviour but failed was meant to be ironic, thought provoking or simply racist. I guess it boils down to the individual reader. But the story covers some pretty big issues, nuclear war, environmental concerns and the role of governments as well.
In particular it preys on our deepest fears of not only witnessing Armageddon but worse still, surviving it. A theme that still feels relevant today.

This is my fifth book by the author but my least favourite. The tale is told in Vonnegut's distinctive deadpan irony and bitter satire that I usually like but ultimately this one is just too weird for me. Yet despite its apparent depressing tone I found it somewhat uplifting as I felt that hope rather than despair was the underlining message and as such this book deserves to continue to be read.


Journal Entry 8 by 4evagreen at Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Released 1 yr ago (4/26/2023 UTC) at Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Going out to another Bookcrosser as a Bookmooch. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 9 by JPix at Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, April 27, 2023
Thanks 4evagreen, nice surprise to find out this Bookmooch book is also a Bookcrossing book, excellent!

Journal Entry 10 by JPix at Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 12, 2024
An interesting read but not really my cup of tea. Now ready to go out into the world again.

Journal Entry 11 by JPix at Louth , Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 28, 2024

Released 4 mos ago (7/28/2024 UTC) at Louth , Lincolnshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to a friend

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.