A rare treasure! This collection of Vonnegut short stories contains some of the most entertaining and thought-provoking classics that never fail to delight readers. Every story feels familiar, and I think that is because of Vonnegut's unique style that brings the reader in and satisfies them with every single piece. It is a remarkable book and felt like coming home, in the best possible literary way! All of these short stories can be found in other collections, but having them together paints an entirely different picture. In their own way, each story contributes to a larger theme: things aren't always what they seem, what you desire might not be what you actually want. It's a curious theme, so down to earth, and I think that's what makes it so relatable and enjoyable!

Written over 50 years ago, some of his short stories really depict the current age. I chuckled when reading about the 5 ft tv or the 2000 world,s fair. Kurt Vonnegut is a master writer.

I also chuckled when I paid $30 for this book after a long search. It originally cost 35 cents

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this was interesting, but i definitely prefer his longer works

For my first Vonnegut short story collection, I decided to read the first collection he released. Truth be told, it's hard to get ahold of, so I actually read the same stories in Welcome To The Monkey House, where all but one of the tales were included. But I originally planned on reading that extra story via the library, and still might someday.

I any event, this was classic Vonnegut (again). I was really impressed by the depth he was able to pack into each of these shorts. I could have definitely enjoyed any of them in an expanded form, but never felt like they needed to be longer. Great stuff, highly recommended (as always!).

Vonnegut's first attempt at a collection of short fiction was superseded some year later by "Welcome to the Monkey House," which contains all of the stories found here, save one, and adds many more besides. Thus, with the exception of "Hal Irwin's Magic Lamp," this collection has been rendered nearly superfluous. But only nearly so.

Vonnegut completists may want to track this volume down because, although the aforementioned "Hal Irwin's Magic Lamp" was eventually collected in 1999's "Bagombo Snuff Box," the version found there was a later re-write. All of the stories here were published in major magazines between 1950 and 1958 and, although Vonnegut was still finding his characteristic voice, they are generally of sufficiently high quality to warrant such publication.

For those, like myself, who simply must have all of Vonnegut's writing, a hard-cover edition of dubious origin has been printed by Buccaneer Books at various point since the mid-70s. For those who are less fanatical, both "Welcome to the Monkey House" and "Bagombo Snuff Box" are highly recommended and should suffice. (Docked one star as inessential.)

This had some overlap with Welcome to the Monkey House, but also contained a few new to me stories that I really enjoyed. I’m always amazed by Vonnegut’s ability to really make you think, even in short story format. His alternate reality ideas translate and apply even to todays modern world. I see this as a great introduction to Vonnegut.

I’ve never thought of Vonnegut as a short story writer. I realize he started as one, selling pieces to magazines back in the 1950’s, but his storytelling skills have always seemed better suited to novels. I suppose that’s why I’ve never particularly enjoyed rereading Canary in a Cat House.

Yet, when I began rereading his work after his death, I discovered I actually liked what he did with the format. They’re certainly not groundbreaking by today’s standards, but each contain themes that are grounded in Vonnegut’s time, and still carry enough universality to read well today. All The Kings Horses — about a group of captured soldiers forced to play chess by their Communist Asian captors — could have been written about China; The Manned Missiles — with a Soviet and American dying at odds — carries the same weight today as it originally did; and The Foster Portfolio and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow examine the human condition in a way that avoids the tendency to date them.

While I still feel that Vonnegut’s talent rested in the novel, I’ll certainly go back to Canary more willingly in the future.

A very dear friend gifted me this limited edition book for my birthday, which I carefully read at home so as not to damage it. Like all other Vonnegut creations, I loved this. I hope I see him on Tralfamadore some day soon.

A classic vonnegut collection. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Look at the Birdie collection, but still fantastic writing and world building in small doses.

Loved it!

I somehow found a first edition of this, don't have it now, god I wish that I still had it.