Plot Summary

Sailor Song

Ken Kesey
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Sailor Song

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

Book Brief

Ken Kesey

Sailor Song

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Details
Pages

533

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kuinak, Alaska • Future

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Set in the 2020s on a climate-ravaged Earth, Ken Kesey’s speculative fiction novel Sailor Song follows Ike Sallas, a former eco-terrorist now living in the small Alaskan fishing town of Kuinak. As a corporation plans to transform the town into a theme park, Ike and other residents unite to protect their community, navigating tensions that arise from the proposed changes and natural disasters. The book contains themes of eco-terrorism and fatal birth defects due to corporate negligence.

Mysterious

Gritty

Fantastical

Dark

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

4.1

2,604 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sailor Song by Ken Kesey receives mixed reviews. Positives highlight its vivid, imaginative storytelling and unique blend of humor and environmental themes, showcasing Kesey's distinctive voice. Critics, however, point to its convoluted plot and uneven pacing, which can detract from the narrative's impact. Fans of Kesey's previous work may still find it worthwhile.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sailor Song?

A reader who enjoys Sailor Song by Ken Kesey would appreciate its blend of whimsical storytelling, environmental themes, and countercultural ethos. Comparable to fans of Cannery Row by John Steinbeck and Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, this novel suits those who relish satirical humor, rich character studies, and complex narrative layers.

4.1

2,604 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

533

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kuinak, Alaska • Future

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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