Cat's Cradle

by Chieko N. Okazaki

The book was written to address LDS women and help them grow as Christians. The author was born and raised as a Buddhist and was later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lds, Religion, Lds Non Fiction, Inspirational, Adult, Christianity

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Chieko N. Okazaki was the first non-Caucasian to serve on a general board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a counselor in the general Relief Society presidency from 1990 to 1997. She is the author of several bestselling books and tapes. She and her husband, the late Ed Okazaki, have two sons.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring woman! She is beautiful on the inside and out! How lucky for her that she was able to marry a man of goodness and integrity, who loved her with all of his heart. He supported her and encouraged her and loved her so that she could become all that she could be, all while he loved and served others himself. True meaning of a partnership exemplified in this wonderful book that describes how we are all part of a large web of love but needs to accept💕 and surround those around us. We are all Christ’s hands.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy her talks so much. It took me a long time to work through this book, one talk at a time. It was a help to me during a stressful and busy time.

[Alison LaMarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom passed this down to me—I think it was once on my grandma’s shelf. Interestingly, my husbands’ grandparents were good friends with Okazaki when she lived in Denver. Nice connections on both sides. Anyways, this woman was a trail blazer for Mormon women and quite progressive. This book is based on past talks. Some are pretty basic but others are worthwhile and I can see why she is quoted frequently in Mormon feminist circles. She often talks about how people are silenced and judged when they don’t fit the mold and often talks about her experiences of racism and sexism at church and in society. She also talks a lot about grief, getting diagnosed with breast cancer, her mastectomy, and being a working mother. I love reading about smart and wise women in unlikely times and places.

I liked this quote “we are engaged in the cause of Christ, to increase the love in the world...Let us do it with kindness, by not judging, with joy and gladness of heart, by finding connections that bond us rather than the distances that separate us, and by at least some service that is person to person, face to face, and heart to heart.”

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Police is looking for an excuse to get out of patrolling a Boy Scout encampment, so he goes looking through some cold case stuff. He finds the file on a double homicide that is still open. As he digs into the case, he is nearly killed by a crazy driver who laughs as he runs him down. And the more he looks, the more several unrelated cases seem to all tie together. Could a terrorist group be hiding out there in desert?

I really like this series. Taken individually, the stories are not necessarily the best. But the series as a whole is a little window into a different way of life, and I love the characters. I know the author is an Anglo from Oklahoma, so why he chose to write about the Southwest is a mystery. But from my perspective here in Utah, he does a great job of getting the feel just right. 3.5 stars

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book slowly, over a period of a few months, picking it up and reading a chapter here and there. (Each chapter is a separate address.) It changed how I think about a lot of things. I found myself thinking about things I had read in it over the weeks and months.

Here are the two main takeaways for me:

1. Celebrate our diversity.
2. Don't judge each other.

I am determined to do a better job at both of these things after reading this book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read an Okazaki book, I see my model for the kind of Mormon I want to be. I love the way she celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. I love the way she sincerely loves and engages with the scriptures. I love the kind of relationship she has with God. I love the way she sees and treats others. I love her model for service. I love her models for how to respond when you have been marginalized or wronged. This may be my favorite of her books.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful self-help book that made me look to serving and befriending others as a means for improving myself. Sometimes the chapters get a little repetitive, or I feel like I'm reading the never-ending conference talk. But on the whole, I was uplifted and really enjoyed it.

[Verona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chieko Okazaki's writings, and even more love to hear her speak. She is a captivating speaker, and so fun to listen to. She is a practical person and gives sage advice. She is also a teacher, and I relate to her because I loved to teach as well.

[Cailean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sister Okazaki and this book had a lot of wonderful ideas - especially that we are all connected together much like a cat's cradle.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting book full of wonderful stories that make you want to be better and do better.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her insights to life and her personal experiences she shares.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of her books!

[Myra Marangi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is amazing book for me as I'm working on being the wife I need to be for my husband :-)

[Karen]

This is a slow start...not a page turner. But she is an amazing woman and has a unique way of looking at the church and the gospel. The more I read, the more I like the book.

[Maerwhyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Chieko's funny, light tone. She is a wonderful example of how to live through hard things without becoming bitter.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of talks by Chieko Okazaki. She was a wonderful speaker/writer, although my favorite book by her is still "Lighten Up".

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out of sequence, following Lighten Up and then Sanctuary. There were a few incidents in this book that appeared in one of the other of the other books, although the talks were completely distinct.
Actually all 4 books are re-reads, I'll do Disciples next.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sister Okazaki. She is so down to earth and she makes it feel like it's okay. This book was a collection of talks, all given in 1992, rather than a book with connected chapters. From her, I've liked her other books better, but this one was still great!

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her personal experiences are inspiring. I appreciated her knowledge of the scriptures and the many quotes she gives. I also appreciated her several quotes from Mother Teresa.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous! All about relationships and partnerships. Loved her insights and will definitely be reading more of her books... probably even re-reading this one with highlighters and a notebook.

"Partnerships need to be goal centered, not authority centered" one of the many quotes I liked