Jailbird

Jailbird

infobox Book |
name = Jailbird
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover of first edition (hardcover)
author = Kurt Vonnegut
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = Delacorte Press
release_date = 1979
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = ISBN 0-385-28627-9
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Jailbird" is a novel by Kurt Vonnegut, originally published in 1979. 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.

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 novellas.


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  • jailbird — UK [ˈdʒeɪlˌbɜː(r)d] / US [ˈdʒeɪlˌbɜrd] noun [countable] Word forms jailbird : singular jailbird plural jailbirds informal a prisoner, especially someone who has spent most of their adult life in prison …   English dictionary

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  • jailbird — {n.}, {informal} A convict; someone who is in jail or has been recently released from prison. * /Because Harry was a jailbird, it was understandably hard for him to find a job after being imprisoned./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • jailbird — noun informal A convict; someone who is in jail or has been recently released from prison. Because Harry was a jailbird, it was understandably hard for him to find a job after being imprisoned …   Словарь американских идиом

  • jailbird — [[t]ʤe͟ɪlbɜː(r)d[/t]] jailbirds N COUNT If you refer to someone as a jailbird, you mean that they are in prison, or have been in prison. [INFORMAL, OLD FASHIONED] Syn: convict …   English dictionary

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