Cat's Cradle

While I have had mixed feelings on the work of Kurt Vonnegut in the past, not a fan of Breakfast of Champions, I loved Slaughterhouse Five.  So went into reading Cat’s Cradle thinking, hmmm… we’ll see.  A pleasant surprise.  The book follows the story of the author (Jonah) trying to find out about the fictional character Felix Hoenikker (who was the co-inventor of the atom bomb) and happened to be playing the game “cat’s cradle” during the dropping of the bomb.  Jonah goes on a journey to attempt to piece together Hoenikker’s past and happens to find his sons and daughter along the way, albeit on a flight to the island of San Lorenzo.  The “can’t believe all of these coincidences bringing all the characters together on this crazy island could happen” .. happens!  Vonnegut’s brilliance in bringing a wildly fascinating storyline – the crazy scientist who is playing kids games while the world is overcome with the terrifying threat of the A bomb dropping – gives us all a world of the bizarre that is this world.  What would a political portrait on war be without a statement on religion, so he discusses Bokononism (a post modern faith that combines the cynicism of life and “God’s will” with intensely peaceful rituals.  Practice it on this island, and consider yourself “hooked” – on a hook through your stomach!  You think this is all warped, how about finding out that Hoenikker left his three children the next “A bomb” at his death scene, ice-nine!  Newt, the son who is a little person, brother Frank (who gives his fiance, the beautiful Mona, and the next presidency to Jonah) and sister Angela are the wrong three to have ice-nine, for sure!  As in most good books, the ending brings things together and allows the narrator a place to find his truth.  There is MUCH more to this book than the brief overview above, but for sure, this is a top 100 all-timer for sure.  Vonnegut hits on all cylinders with Cat’s Cradle.  A classic for it’s time.   Love the reference to the 3 characters on the plane being Cornellians (alums of that fine Ivy Cornell, yes where nephew Harry attends!)   Add this to your list!