Jailbird: A Novel Paperback – January 12, 1999

It’s Kurt Vonnegut, needn’t say anymore

Kurt Vonnegut approaches vital themes as honestly as anyone with a wise whimsy that makes your mind grow and your heat warm. Jailbird is perhaps not as laugh-out-loud funny as, say, Breakfast of Champions, but it presents a very piercing argument and perspective within a wonderfully endearing tale. I suppose my 4 stars is a relative rating for Vonnegut- I recommend this novel to everyone, especially youths (like me) who may benefit greatly from a beautiful man's words on our world today.

I have recently been re-reading Vonnegut novels, most of which I originally read maybe 15 years ago. I had mistakenly believed that I had read all of them. But I was surprised to find that I had no recollection of Jailbird. Therefore, at least as far as I can recall, this was the first time I have read Jailbird, and I was blown away. This may be one of Vonnegut's finest, which is saying quite a lot since I think he was a genius author.While reading Jailbird I was reminded of Bluebeard, which is another one of my favorites. Both are about aging men who have, from their perspectives, never done anything original. Of course, these are common themes in Vonnegut novels, so it should come as no surprise. But I was quite pleased to find this gem that rivals the humanity, the tenderness, the vulnerability of Bluebeard. And, of course, I got more than a few chuckles along the way as I found a proverbial whoopee cushion placed cleverly on my chair. And, *mild spoiler alert* there are a few charmingly cheap jokes tastefully placed within the story. My favorite, perhaps, "What's the difference between an enzyme and a hormone? You can't hear an enzyme."Like many Vonnegut novels, this one weaves in bits of history with fiction, but Jailbird perhaps does it best. It was utterly seamless. So well done, in fact, that I found myself afterward reading historical accounts to figure out what was fiction and what was not.Although Vonnegut generally follows his own rules and tells the reader everything up front, there are, nonetheless, a few lovely surprises to be found during the reading of this book. I found it heartbreaking in the most wonderful way.

Before I start this review I must say to anyone who is looking for a first time read from Vonnegut, that Jailbird is not where to start. I would recommend 'Breakfast Of Champions', 'The Sirens Of Titan', 'Cats Cradle' or 'Slaughterhouse-5'. Considering which you choose, Vonnegut will make you laugh, think and wonder and from then on you'll read all his books as I have. I have read everything by KV, some more than once and only 'Jailbird' and 'Deadeye Dick' were the two I've put aside, and for no particular reason. And so I chose Jailbird and it was a good read, but nothing groundbreaking in this novel.The book is told by and about a man named Walter Starbuck, who has just been released from prison for his involvements in the Watergate scandal. The book also tells of the American Labor movement, politics and the red scare of the fifties known as the Capitalist/Communist theory.Walter Starbuck spent his youth under the custody of Alexander McCone, one of three sons by Daniel McCone, founder and owner of the Cuyahoga Bridge and Iron Company. We also read here of the Cuyahoga Massacre between strikers and police in Cleveland.And it was Alexander McCone who promised young Starbuck a promising future and a education at Harvard. Thus the story of Walters life continues as we also learn of his past through flashbacks of previous times relevent to the tale.As with other books, Vonnegut is always funny and sometimes lovably emotional with his stories and his characters, and that is what is so great about this book. The ups and downs of living in a society, and such is the essence of life. As in his older works 'God Bless You Mr.Rosewater' and 'Player Piano' among others.And for those who love him. Kilgore Trout is indeed a part of this story. Not vital, but mentioned.

I often browse for books in the stores, and when it comes to purchasing, i prefer Amazon. I like my books in perfect condition. Amazon did not disappoint. The book is high quality.I do not rate the stories themselves, that is a personal...

Kurt Vonnegut is always a consciousness raiser. Whether it's far out fiction, or stories such as this that remind us that governments are imperfect, and that tolerance is a much better way to conduct human relationships, his words strike home. They are timeless. This is not as great a book as "Slaughterhouse Five," but it is and will remain a poignant account of this great man's life. I recommend it.

Kurt Vonnegut has a wacky writing style that makes what could be a very depressing story into a fun read. The story teller, Walter S. Starbuck. wanders with his story from one time period to another and back again, and it seems to be a disjointed story, but alas, he ties it together in the end. What interested me was a story about government workers stuck away in basement offices. No one seems to know what they do or why they are drawing a paycheck and I suspect this goes on way too much. I wonder how much of this novel is more factual than we care to acknowledge. I liked the touches of humor, the off-beat characters, and of course, its picture of what I think our bureaucrats are really like. Just think, when they go to prison for criminal activity, they can get out and return to government work again. Are you sure this is a novel?

Why are all sentient creatures created merely to suffer and die?God's reply according to the first creature God created, "Why not?"From "Venus On the Halfshell" by Dr. Robert Fender.