Science fiction · Classics
Cat's Cradle
A writer researching a book about the day the atom bomb was dropped tracks down the scientist's strange family. His quest takes him to a Caribbean island with its own invented religion and a dangerous substance.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1963
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 306
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a short, funny and bleak satire of science, religion and human folly.
Skip this if you want a plot-driven novel, since the book is a string of tiny chapters and wry digressions.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Cat's Cradle
- What is Cat's Cradle about?
- A writer researching a book about the day the atom bomb was dropped tracks down the scientist's strange family. His quest takes him to a Caribbean island with its own invented religion and a dangerous substance.
- Who should read Cat's Cradle?
- Read it if you want a short, funny and bleak satire of science, religion and human folly. Skip it if you want a plot-driven novel, since the book is a string of tiny chapters and wry digressions.
- How long and how fast is Cat's Cradle?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 306 pages, first published in 1963.
- Does Cat's Cradle have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death.
- Can I borrow Cat's Cradle for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Cat's Cradle; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Cat's Cradle?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Slaughterhouse-Five, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Catch-22.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Cat's Cradle
-
Slaughterhouse-Five
The author's best-known novel, which has a similar deadpan tone and an even stronger sense of shock.
-
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Another short, absurd science-fiction comedy about the foolishness of the universe.
-
Catch-22
Another satirical American classic in which dark humour is used to say what plain talk cannot.
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