Bookmarks Magazine's Reviews > While Mortals Sleep: Unpublished Short Fiction

While most reviewers considered these stories, written to meet the expectations of a bygone era, quaint and nostalgic if nonetheless still relevant to our times, a few found their emphasis on plot twists and explicit morals passé. All, however, agreed that Vonnegut’s dry and unassuming tone, unadorned prose, and unique vision of life are evident even at this early stage in his career. For most, this was reason enough to pay tribute to and recommend this posthumous collection. Vonnegut’s enduring themes lend these tales a timeless quality. “Predictive of Vonnegut’s great future” (Los Angeles Times), While Mortals Sleep presents an American master polishing his already considerable skills, and Vonnegut’s fans will be grateful to hear his distinct voice once again. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.