Jailbird A Novel
Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut, published by Random House Publishing Group on January 12, 1999, is a 320-page novel that delves into the complexities of power and politics through a satirical lens. The story follows Walter F. Starbuck, a bumbling bureaucrat whose journey takes him from Harvard to the Nixon White House and ultimately to prison as one of Watergate’s lesser-known co-conspirators. Vonnegut’s narrative combines humor with a critical examination of the cold-heartedness and greed prevalent among those in power.
Readers will find a fractured and comic portrayal of government misdeeds and personal failings, as Vonnegut expertly weaves elements of black humor and political commentary throughout the text. This edition, presented in English, invites exploration of themes related to fiction and literary humor, offering a unique perspective on the absurdities of American politics. The novel’s sharp wit and insightful observations make it a notable addition to Vonnegut’s body of work.
Official synopsis Publisher
“[Kurt Vonnegut] has never been more satirically on-target. . . . Nothing is spared.”—People
Jailbird takes us into a fractured and comic, pure Vonnegut world of high crimes and misdemeanors in government—and in the heart. This wry tale follows bumbling bureaucrat Walter F. Starbuck from Harvard to the Nixon White House to the penitentiary as Watergate’s least known co-conspirator. But the humor turns dark when Vonnegut shines his spotlight on the cold hearts and calculated greed of the mighty, giving a razor-sharp edge to an unforgettable portrait of power and politics in our times.
Praise for Jailbird
“[Vonnegut] is our strongest writer . . . the most stubbornly imaginative.”—John Irving
“A gem . . . a mature, imaginative novel—possibly the best he has written . . . Jailbird is a guided tour de force of America. Take it!”—Playboy
“A profoundly humane comedy . . . Jailbird definitely mounts up on angelic wings—in its speed, in its sparkle, and in its high-flying intent.”—Chicago Tribune Book World
“Joyously inventive . . . gleams with the loony magic Vonnegut alone can achieve.”—Cosmopolitan
“Vonnegut is our great apocalyptic writer, the closest thing we’ve had to a prophet since . . . Lenny Bruce.”—Chicago Sun-Times
“Vonnegut at his impressive best. . . . His imaginative leaps alone . . . are worth the price of admission. . . . His far-reaching metaphysical and cultural concerns . . . are ultimately serious and worth our contemplation.”—The Washington Post
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