senpai_no_lie's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Some of the language and humor has not aged well. Hints at themes of science, religion, and morality. About the end of the world in a way that's fairly light-hearted and strange. No one is a good person but they're not unlikable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Animal death, and Ableism
Chapters are very short so it's a fast read.emoryscott's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed this read. Several times, I found myself laughing aloud. I don’t think I fully understood the broader picture that Vonnegut was trying to paint with this story, but here and there I was able to notice the deeper meaning. Vonnegut is a tricky author to read, but he can be very reflective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Colonisation, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Cancer, Confinement, Vomit, Death, and Racial slurs
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lots of good food for thought, but funnier than Slaughterhouse Five. Seriously insane mind, like the creativity is fully on another level.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Ableism
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Suicide
joensign's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Death
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Body shaming, Animal death, and Suicide
jordansantillo's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Vonnegut always comes up with interesting stories that make you question what the fuck is going on. This book is classic for a reason. The exploration of religion as comforting lies.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death
saturnsmoons's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i would pay so much money to have a conversation with kurt vonnegut jr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child death and Drug use
maidenknightbradamant's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
4.0
wow i cant believe that this starts out as being about an author trying to write a biography of the father of the atomic bomb. and someone the sense that this author is just some guy perseveres even through all the stupid stuff he experiences. it's good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
msfordreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cancer, Classism, Terminal illness, and Ableism
bookpilerjo's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Animal death, and War
woolgatherer's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
3.0
I would be lying if I said that I fully understood what happened in this book. There were one too many instances where I thought, “He is definitely alluding to something here, but I couldn’t tell you what that something is.” As a result, it impacted my overall enjoyment of reading this novel, particularly because it felt too disjointed (for a lack of a better descriptor). It almost felt as though the book was written more for the sake of being absurdist more than anything. However, and again, it’s quite likely that a lot of things flew over my head.
There was definitely an allegorical aspect of Cat’s Cradle that aligned well with what was happening at the time (i.e., responding to the Cuban Missile Crisis). Had I paid more attention during my US history class, maybe I would have had a better sense of what Vonnegut was trying to get at. I did, however, find the way Vonnegut explored religion through Bokononism really interesting with how upfront the religion is about its untruths. There was also the—frankly, scathing—observation that humans are just… stupid, especially in their pursuit to find meaning in their existence and often with the help of religion.
I think this might be one of those books I might have to revisit later in life— But this is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves working out what Vonnegut is alluding to, as well as his distinct writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Racial slurs