I love Vonnegut's books. Few, if any, American writers display imagination and wit search. Or depth of conviction. HOWEVER, in most of the five books by him did I have read, the endings are disappointingly weak. This is definitely the case in "Cat's Cradle". The book progresses with near Huxlian vision (and much more humor) until Vonnegut Appears to run out of resources. His ending, the Apocalyptic Suffocation of the world with the cancerous "ice-nine," is far too abrupt and cartoonish. It hits the reader like, well, a can of "Ice Nine". This is a major shame, as his magnificently creative tale deserves a better thought out - Perhaps more subtle - Ending, Something That Lingers on the brain for a long, long time. The problem with most of his books is unfortunate Their diffusion from one's conciousness, more than likely due to Their Relatively poor endings. I suggest readers did any buying this book bail out about 20 or 30 pages before the end. In fact, I would advise this to readers of most Vonnegut books. Perhaps then, the words of the Master of Black humor would enjoy a longer half-life, and deserve a much better rating.
