Book Review: LOOK AT THE BIRDIE: Unpublished Short Fiction by Kurt Vonnegut

This week I took a break from comics and dove deep down into some good old fashioned literature. Or in this case, some previously unpublished short fiction from the dearly departed Kurt Vonnegut.

Responsible for some of the most important works in American literature of the past century, Vonnegut wrote with a voice clearly heard in his tales of comic tragedy, often emphasizing on technology and the ironic pitfalls of human achievement therein; Cat's Cradle and Player Piano, to name a couple. Even while bringing the reader to hysterics, his political and social outrage can be felt in modern classics like Slaughterhouse-Five, Mother Night, and Breakfast of Champions.

With Look At The Birdie, the reader is given a smattering platter of engaging tales written thoughtfully and concisely, but without the bigger ideas hiding at the peripheral. The characters, although met briefly, are groomed nicely and connect with the reader instantly. As a whole, this collection reads like a master craftsman sharpening his tools. Make no mistake however, there is not a dull blade at Vonnegut's disposal. The opening short, Confido, is reminiscent of Vonnegut's early science fiction work, and sets the tone for the book. Each tale reads with a wicked sense of fun (A Song For Selma), is often heart warming (Shout About It From The Housetops), and always fulfilling. My personal favourite is the suspenseful Hall Of Mirrors, although the two part tale, Ed Luby's Key Club, is quite a caper!

I highly recommend Vonnegut to anyone, especially those with a wry, subversive sense of humour. What I love about Look At The Birdie is that it's fit for anyone who needs a quick fix of great storytelling. Go grab it!