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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “One of my personal favorites. I don't intend this as a negative criticism, but Vonnegut's novels are less individual, memorable works of art than links in a chain, an ongoing, endlessly looping conversation. The subject rarely changes, each book blends together in the memory, the details...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“A fascinating study of one man's struggle through the moral and political trappings of a post-Watergate fall out and the quirky cast of characters he encounters along the way. Vonnegut creates a scathing reveal of American political life and a wonderful defense of socialism. Vintage Vonnegut and a great read.”
the musicologist wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not my favorite Vonnegut, but a good one of course.”
Eileen M wrote this review Friday, July 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“interesting insight into old history and mix of mystique fun.”
kris4pal wrote this review Wednesday, June 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Its plot concerns a man recently released from a low security prison after having served time for a minor role in the Watergate scandal. The novel uses a standard memoir format, revealing Walter F. Starbuck's current situation, then going back to tell the story of his first two days after being released from prison.
Wendy B wrote this review Wednesday, April 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Through Walter F. Starbuck and near-rambling biographical sketches of the various characters referenced in the novel, Jailbird concerns itself with the history of the American labor movement, while also pointing out flaws in corporate America, the American political system, the American red scare of the late 1950's, and both capitalist and communist theory.
Jailbird also features a brief appearance of Kilgore Trout, a recurring Vonnegut character who writes science fiction novels and stories. However in this appearance, "Kilgore Trout" is revealed to be the pseudonym of a character in prison, deliberately contradicting the autobiographical details of Trout's life as delineated in both earlier and subsequent Vonnegut novels.
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“Jailbird was a really good book. Ah, Kurt Vonnegut I love you. You can write about the dreariest things, and make me laugh. You can write about the seediest people and make me love them. I don’t know how you do it, honestly. I liked how everyone was connected in the end and how the characters weren’t acting weird or really dramatic to get the action going, they were just reacting to their situations. I love how he makes up songs and poems and repeats them. He also repeats certain phrases. As always his Atheism makes it way more interesting and makes me go “I WAS THINKING THAT TOO!” Not as good as Billy Pilgrim, but good through and through.”
withafunnyheart wrote this review Friday, May 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No2 of 2 members found this review helpful“One of my personal favorites. I don't intend this as a negative criticism, but Vonnegut's novels are less individual, memorable works of art than links in a chain, an ongoing, endlessly looping conversation. The subject rarely changes, each book blends together in the memory, the details dissolve, and what one is left with is the palpable sense of the chief character throughout - Vonnegut himself, with his wonderful narrative voice, bracingly humane, skeptical, and wryly funny.”
Lord Manleigh wrote this review Saturday, April 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A great read. Vonnegut so nicely bounces between almost nihilism to scenes of simple beauty and kindness. A great book for many reasons. Probably not my absolute favourite Vonnegut I've read thus far, but good indeed.”
Daniel J. Rowe. wrote this review Tuesday, March 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“At first I thought this one was walking me in circles, Breakfast of Champions-style. But it ended up being a much more substantive book with a much longer lasting moral. Just because of this book I might try to be a little nicer to the bag lady, she might just save my career one day.”
hubdiggity wrote this review Monday, December 10 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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