Canary in a Cat House

by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Published in 1961, Canary in a Cathouse is a collection of twelve short stories. Except for Hal Irwin's magic lamp, eleven of them reappear in the later collection Welcome to the Monkey House.

Contents:
- Report on the barnhouse effect
- All the king's horses
- D.P.
- The manned missiles
- The Euphio question
- More stately mansions
- The Foster portfolio
- Deer in the works
- Hal Irwin's magic lamp
- Tom Edison's shaggy dog
- Unready to wear
- Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Classics, Humor, Collections, American

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Kurt Vonnegut, Junior was an American novelist, satirist, and most recently, graphic artist. He was recognized as New York State Author for 2001-2003.

He was born in Indianapolis, later the setting for many of his novels. He attended Cornell University from 1941 to 1943, where he wrote a column for the student newspaper, the Cornell Daily Sun. Vonnegut trained as a chemist and worked as a journalist before joining the U.S. Army and serving in World War II.

After the war, he attended University of Chicago as a graduate student in anthropology and also worked as a police reporter at the City News Bureau of Chicago. He left Chicago to work in Schenectady, New York in public relations for General Electric. He attributed his unadorned writing style to his reporting work.

His experiences as an advance scout in the Battle of the Bulge, and in particular his witnessing of the bombing of Dresden, Germany whilst a prisoner of war, would inform much of his work. This event would also form the core of his most famous work, Slaughterhouse-Five, the book which would make him a millionaire. This acerbic 200-page book is what most people mean when they describe a work as "Vonnegutian" in scope.

Vonnegut was a self-proclaimed humanist and socialist (influenced by the style of Indiana's own Eugene V. Debs) and a lifelong supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The novelist is known for works blending satire, black comedy and science fiction, such as Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Cat's Cradle (1963), and Breakfast of Champions (1973)

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vonnegut's first attempt at a collection of short fiction was superseded some year later by "Welcome to the Monkey House," which contains all of the stories found here, save one, and adds many more besides.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.)

[Asciigod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Vonnegut "ideas" (that's good!) Written early in life, while still learning to use his wit and pith as a chisel (that's not great, but it's acceptable.) Ultimately, shows many glimpses of the eerie prescience in his later, stronger, works but lacks the wow factor. Could use sprinkles (Mmm... sprinkles.)

[Robin Peringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Laramie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Megan Xing · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was interesting, but i definitely prefer his longer works

[Jerry Winsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canary in a Cat House by Kurt Vonnegut was published in 1961. I happened upon it in the public library in Mystic Connecticut in 1978. Eleven of the twelve stories appear in the later collection Welcome to the Monkey House and not long after, Canary pretty much when out of print. But this is the book that launched me into the world of Vonnegut, so I ordered a hardback copy for my collection. On rereading it, I realized that this was a more feral, edgy and rude Vonnegut. Which may be why some readers didn't give it a better rating.

The stories in Canary in a Cat House shine a light on young Kurt, as many of the stories were written and appeared in magazines well before the publish date. This is a powerful and oft times angry Vonnegut, the stories sharp and unsettling. For instance, the short story “D.P.” is a quiet yet devastating story about a displaced child and the emotional wreckage of war. “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” is a bleak prophetic tale of overpopulation through increased longevity. And a favorite of mine, “Report on the Barnhouse Effect”. In this tale a gentle scientist discovers he can destroy inanimate objects with his mind. The military want to him but he escapes and uses his power to dismantle weapons of destruction worldwide.

One story that did not transfer to Monkey House was "Hal Irwin's Magic Lamp", a tale of marital confusion and greed - Hal tries to impress his wife with a counterfeit magic lamp. It was not my favorite story in the book. But if you’re curious it is available in an updated version in his 1999 collection "Bagombo Snuff Box" (which also includes another of my favorite K.V. short stories, "The Big Space Fuck").

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Traummachine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!).

[Joseph Inzirillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of Vonnegut's short works. Each is a critique on humanity and war in its own way while each still carries the full weight of Vonnegut's trademark saying, "And so it goes." Great read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic short story collection that questions war and life all with a humerous edge. Vintage Vonnegut.

[Katie Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Thought provoking.

[Paul Debraski · Rating 4 out of 5]

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