His plots are cool and deadly, and his timing is absolutely flawless

The short story was Maugham's true metier, and the stories he wrote are among the best in the language

One of our great story-tellers

At his best he can tell a story as well as any man alive or dead

A delight... Subtle, erotic, ambitious and accomplished

...they show the hallmarks of Vonnegut's distinctive voice and style - that unique mixture of knowingness and wide-eyed innocence, warmth and cynicism, guile and simplicity...Not too difficult to see why he didn't manage to place these stories at the time - the early Fifties wasn't ready for such darkness and lightly-worn subversion. Terrific.

rather wonderful...still knocks most purveyors of the short story form into a cocked hat

Look at the Birdie is a valuable time capsule, providing insight into the early developments of Vonnegut's style. Wry and ironic commentary connect each story making this collection an enjoyable read

All the stories are clever, witty and written with Vonnegut's trademark invention

Look at the Birdie is a valuable time capsule, providing insight into the early developments of Vonnegut's style. Wry and ironic commentary connect each story making this collection an enjoyable read

Striking collection of stories

As you would expect, the stories in this collection involve a certain amount of cultural tourism to the lower depths, undertaken with black humour... Welsh's relish for degradation covers up a strong sentimental streak

Welsh's transcription of Scots dialect is brilliant... Welsh also has a fabulous sense of the absurd... The overall vibe of these stories is dark and grim. And fierily, fiercely funny