December 2012 Random Read - Cat's Cradle

[Trax]

December 2012 Random Read - Cat's Cradle. Science and religion all around. Ice-nine and Bokononism for all.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

lol--What did you think of the main character? For a journalist he seemed very shallow---

[Trax]

I think that he is, sort of, but not in an unrealistic way. If that is a good way of putting it.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

I read this last month, so it's still pretty fresh in my mind.
At some point in recent history, Vonnegut reached kind of a cult status for his sarcasm...but I do think this is one of his true 5 star books.

anyone else reading it this month>?

[Ruth]

I'm about to start it. Just got it from library. Vonnegut was my late husband's favorite author.

[Trax]

Even if I hadn't read this recently, re-read it I mean. It would still resonate with me due to what I view as a sort of harsh view of science and its search for answers. Look around these days and there is no shortage of people who think that religious fanatics are whackos, but are there as many that would say that about fanatical devotion to science? Now, as a science fiction reader, there are certainly many sci-fi stories (also movies as well) that depict what can go wrong when scientific pursuits over reach. Even if they don't, science is often absolved of the consequence of its discoveries, its cost.

Cat's Cradle stand out because of how it juxtaposes the Bokononism with the scientific pursuit of truth. Sort of harsh truth versus sweet falsehood. That is what has always stuck with me from it. It is one of my favorite books but I am a Vonnegut fan.

But it is early in the morning here and that could just be gibberish.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Hands Trax a diet coke and a dog leash---go wake up!

kidding-it made plenty sense!

[Robert]

having just reread this, and Caves of Steel last month, am intrigued at how well they both aged. The sarcasm and cynicism are timeless and well done; entertaining and enjoyable to (re)read.

[mark, personal space invader]

i agree - i think the tone of the novel has really worn well.

[Zac]

Vonnegut is one of my (if not THE) favorite authors and Cat's Cradle my favorite books. And I'm 100% with Trax and everyone's sentiments on how well it's aged. It always strikes me that the overall message is fairly straightforward and timeless; strict devotion taken to a level of fanaticism to ANY tenets of society (illustrated here with religion, science, militarism) is dangerous and/or nonsensical.

[Suzanne]

Thanks for the comments - you have made the book sound interesting. I'm just barely starting it.

[Trax]

I thought I would add here that I enjoyed the book Among Others by Jo Walton...in part due to references to Vonnegut's writing, Cat's Cradle, and principles of Bokononism, such as granfaloons and karass. Just thought I would mention that here because of its relation to Cat's Cradle.

[Phil]

I read somewhere that Vonnegut gave his books a report card, and this was the only one that got an A.

Personally, I felt like there was a turning point early on where it goes from realistic fiction to full science fiction. I was enjoying the realistic part so much that I was a little resentful when it got into Ice 9 etc.