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Cat's Cradle

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Cat's Cradle

By: Kurt Vonnegut
Narrated by: Tony Roberts
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About this listen

Cat's Cradle is Vonnegut's satirical commentary on modern man and his madness. An apocalyptic tale of this planet's ultimate fate, it features a little person as the protagonist; a complete, original theology created by a calypso singer; and a vision of the future that is at once blackly fatalistic and hilariously funny.

©1963 Kurt Vonnegut, Jr (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers Science Fiction Fiction Witty Funny

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All stars
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I'm sure that there's still more layers to this novel that passed me by, but I enjoyed its wicked humour and sharp observations of human behaviour. The storyline is wonderfully outlandish and I would be interested to know if the science of Ice Nine is even feasible? However, it is the calypsos of the Bokononist faith that I think will be the most memorable for me. The astute comments on religion, power, learning and life are so true.

As many layers as an onion!

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Vonnegut makes me laugh. The world he creates is ridiculous, but equally it has all the foibles and cruelty of the real world. For fun, and to add to the despair there is the religion of Bokononism. A religion that is hypocritical, false and cruel. A religion that offers some sense of acceptance of life, but only if we accept that it's falseness is the only solution to the madness that men perpetrate. The Cat's Cradle is the metaphor for the world of the book; playful, complex; a trick.The reading of the audiobook is not too cynical and not too flat; just right.

Laughter and Despair

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Vonneguts powerful satirical book is brought to life brilliantly by the wonderful Tony Roberts. Excellent. Everyone should know this book

Great performance of a great book

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Loved the narration of this classic book. The story is best read while taking a long journey so you really feel like you are part of it!

The stupidity of man!

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Great Vonnegut, perfect narration, and entertaining interview after. As always with Vonnegut, sharply observed and very plausible characters, with a light touch on a very serious subject

What to say?

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I read this book many many years ago and really enjoyed it. However, I had no idea how really crazy it actually was until I heard it on this audible book. It was really well read and funny in parts. I recommend it even if you have already read it.

Cat’s cradle was a joy

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this is wonderful - the writing is so far beyond standard sci fi fare it's embarrassing. the story is deceptively simple, and as ever the ideas and conceits are exactly where they need to be - driving there sorry, not dominating it.

Vonnegut is in a class by himself

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a study in futility and psychology. vonnegut uses his wartime experience of destruction to imagine a world where science ultimately destroys the world

complex and informative

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Where does Cat's Cradle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up there, probably top 5. Very easy to listen to. Very punchy and concise, and keeps you gripped. Also very clever and thought provoking.

A great story, well told

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Any additional comments?

A wonderful book brought to life by a fantastic narrator. A nice, concise read with so many layers to it. Highly recommend!

Wonderful!

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