Jailbird: A Novel

Could not finish this one. A rambling, incoherent jumble about nothing. There seemed to be a subtle, but awkward attempt to convey a liberal imessage of some kind, but it wasn't worth the effort to attempt to translate it. Wasted money.

I sometimes refer to this novel as "the best book I've ever read that contains no plot whatsoever." That's a bit of hyperbole, but if you read the book, I think you'll understand what I'm getting at (and if you haven't read the book, it's very hard to describe what I mean). That said, I consider "Jailbird" to be one of Vonnegut's true masterpieces. Overshadowed by "Slaughterhouse-Five" and others, this book doesn't get nearly as much respect or attention as it deserves. It's amusing and engaging throughout, and deeply moving at many points, especially the end. While I was a Vonnegut fan before reading it, "Jailbird" helped me understand that the true genius of Kurt Vonnegut lies not with his incisive wit--which is considerable--but with his compassionate humanity. This book is recommended for everyone.

Vonnegut writes another book with a slightly offbeat structure to it. Yes, Jailbird is a book that jumps from the present to the past and then to the future without a definite pattern that reminded me of a slightly demented stream of consciousness. Even with these random jumps between events I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. In fact, the random jumps were part of the reason I enjoyed the novel so much because at the end of the story all of the stories finally came together.

Obviously I had a few other reasons that made me give this book a rating of four stars. One of the major themes I located in Jailbird caught my interest. This theme is that when people act for themselves, ignoring money and other influences, they will be happier with the way their lives turn out. This theme was illustrated in the protagonist Walter Starbuck, who is both controlled and independent in different parts of the story.

This book immediately caught my attention because of the style in which it's written. Even though the story is written in first person it contains a disconnected tone to the whole story. Whenever major events in Walter Starbuck's life are described the description doesn't portray them as being as important as they should be. It reminded me a great deal of Slaughter House Five's "so it goes" comment whenever someone would die.

This is an interesting book for a multitude of different reasons. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Vonnegut's offbeat writing style. Even though this story is nothing like the books I normally read for enjoyment, it was definitely worth my time.

I enjoyed this book almost as much as "Mother Night" but I am reserving 5 star ratings for the best of Vonnegut. This book made many realistic allusions to events like the Cuyahoga Massacre and the Boston Clock Company that forced me to cite a historical source in order to determine whether the event had really happened. In many cases the events described were based on real occurences. Also the subplots of President Nixon's White House and other real-world scenarios make this book quite different than many of the Vonnegut novels I've read. As a Vonnegut enthusiast or a first timer, "Jailbird" is a must read.

This is a story of Walter Starbuck, WASPified son of immigrants, who, pushed along by various forces outside his control, attains a brief taste of the American Dream (TM), loses it all, gets it all back with a bonus, then loses it all again. It's told with great humor, a sharp wit, and a stinging criticism of government and capitalism.

Every time I read a Kurt Vonnegut novel, I wonder why I havent read all of his works. This is a brilliant, hilarious novel rich with cynicism and irony. Vonnegut's dark humor is the kind that doesnt always make you laugh out loud, but cracks you up inside.. I finished the book in about 3 or 4 hours..

Yes, I'm a Kurt Vonnegut fan boy. Started reading him in junior high and have never stopped. But even so, Jailbird is one of his best. A great story, caustic wit, and women farting like a man. A wondrous joy is Kurt.

RIP

I feel that this was a collection of anecdotes rather than one tale. The characters appear utterly unbelievable and not anyone Is very appealing. Some houmerousSus episode exist, but I would not want to read it again.

This is a great novel. Unlike some of Vonnegut's bored doodlings (Slapstick, Dead-eye Dick) the ideas in Jailbird and the way the plot is constructed are engaging and provoking. (Not to mention some on-the-ground-and-hold-your-stomach humor)

Vonnegut's "Jailbird" ranks among his best novels. There are so many levels of meaning (as in all of his books) that virtually any reader can take away something different from this book. A well-written satire that makes you think and makes you laugh.

k. The book was a bit puzzling , written well, but rather a tale that lead to nowhere. Somewhat self-serving in premise and a little over reminiscent in tone, the body of work in the end left me in wonder of its purpose. Why?

"Jailbird" is Vonnegut's attempt to bring the political upheavals of the 1970's into focus (Walter F. Starbucks, the lead character, is the least known of all the Watergate conspirators). Where he succeeds is in showing that things are not always as they seem and that everyone is redeemable. Where he fails is in his heavy-handed dealing with bums and the mis-characterization of one Kilgore Trout (his most popular character, drastically miscast as a con man in prison). A fine book full of funny and poignant moments, "Jailbird" unfortunately remains one of Vonnegut's lesser novels, and a contributer to the great glut that he fell into at the end of the '70's.