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Cat's Cradle

By Kurt Vonnegut
Series: Penguin Science Fiction
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut explores a darkly comedic tale where a writer sets out to research for his book about the atomic bomb. He becomes entangled with a peculiar cast of characters and discovers a substance called Ice-Nine, capable of freezing any liquid it touches. The story weaves themes of science, religion, and the absurdity of human endeavour.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this darkly comic and thought-provoking tale if you appreciate satirical explorations of science, religion, and human folly. Filled with wit and a touch of absurdity, it challenges conventional beliefs and invites readers into a unique world of speculative fiction.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A brilliant science-fiction satire from one of the best writers of the twentieth century.

Dr Felix Hoenikker—a father of the atomic bomb—has another creation. Far more dangerous than that which levelled Hiroshima is ice-nine, a chemical that could freeze the world's oceans solid. The search for Hoenikker leads first to his three children, each in possession of the chemical, and then to the Republic of San Lorenzo, a mysterious island in thrall to a bizarre religion.

First published a year after the Cuban Missile Crisis, Cat's Cradle is shot through with a nauseous anxiety about the nuclear apocalypse. Yet Vonnegut's darkly hilarious dissection of apathy and selfishness on the edge of the abyss speaks clearly to our own environmental angst and to the fragility of civilisation.

Series: Penguin Science Fiction

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  • Cat's Cradle
    A brilliant science-fiction satire from one of the best writers of the twentieth century. Dr Felix Hoenikker—a father of the atomic bomb—has another creation. Far more dangerous than that which levelled Hiroshima is ice-nine, a chemical that could freeze the world's oceans solid. The search for Hoenikker leads first to his three children, each in possession of the chemical, and...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is praised for its unique blend of dark humour and thought-provoking themes, offering a satirical take on human folly and the absurdity of life's pursuits. Readers frequently highlight the inventive narrative and Vonnegut's sharp, incisive prose. Many reviews commend the novel's exploration of science, religion, and the potential dangers of technological advancement, establishing it as a timeless piece in the science fiction genre.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241467985

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 180.0mm

Weight: 143g

Pages: 240

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Dystopian Fiction Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Kurt Vonnegut New Release Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Series: Penguin Science Fiction

About the Author

Kurt Vonnegut (1922 - 2007) was born in Indianapolis, USA. During the Second World War he was a prisoner in Germany and present at the bombing of Dresden, an experience he recounted in his famous novel Slaughterhouse Five (1969). His first novel, Piano Player, was published in 1951. This was followed by a considerable outlay of work, including the novels The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, Jailbird, Deadeye Dick, Galapagos and Hocus Pocus. He is widely considered to be one of the most important American writers of his generation.

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