Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

This book has been on my reading list for many years (as many books have) because when I first heard it was all about a creation called Ice Nine which was able to freeze all of Earths water it sounded like a great idea for a Science Fiction novel. Now I can’t remember where that review was but over the years it has cropped up a few times on various “must read before you die” lists and the more I researched Kurt Vonnegut the more I was sure it was my kind of book.

While I did absolutely love it, it took a while to really get into it as it kept referring to something called Bokononism which is a religion based on the fictional character of Bokonon. He creates and markets the religion as absolute lies, which I’m guessing Kurt Vonnegut is trying to portray the message that all religions are made up by someone and even if religion was completely open about its roots in fiction, people would still believe in it.

In the first half the book the the main character (John) is researching the history of Felix Hoenikker who is the father of the atomic bomb. Through Bokonon wisdom he crosses paths with many vital characters all leading him to the fictional island of San Lorenzo, located somewhere in the Caribbean. The second half of the book is concerned with the happenings on the island where John realises Felix Hoenikker had created Ice Nine before he died which his children took from him. Kurt Vonnegut certainly keeps you interested with exploits of John and the characters in the book along with his made up religion Bokonism which John doesn’t realise he is until he discovers the religion on San Lorenzo.

As always with novels written decades ago they have a different style to the more modern ones and this is no exception with chapters lasting little more than a page and some unusual/old fashioned words. I was suprised to find such a strong religious aspect in this book when every synopsis I had read about this book focused much more on the mystical element that is Ice Nine. Kurt Vonnegut certainly knows how to take the reader on a journey and it’s a great little book most people could probably get through in a day.

Favourite quote from the book:

“Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy anything“ Bokonon, Pg 125.

Overall: 82%