Review: A new classic coming-of-age short story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2012
This new coming-of-age short story from Kurt Vonnegut's estate, possibly written in the 1940s, is destined to quickly become a classic. When a city boy who wants to become a pianist goes to live at his adopted uncle's farm, he learns that hard work (orchestrated by "The General") is to be his lot in life. As his dreams of playing piano seem to slip away, he finds himself with a growing love for family life and comes to know the hardships and the rewards that farming brings. He also finds himself falling in love. When an accident destroys something valuable, the hero and a hired hand run away from the consequences. Even further misadventure ensues! What will happen to the hero, who has fallen from grace? This is a must-read for Vonnegut fans! I loved this and will read it again and again. It is a good example of how to write a short story, mostly in narrative and with Vonnegut's distinctive spare style that pits just the right amount of description against internal and external conflicts. A beautiful piece of fiction. -- Eve Paludan, author of The Man Who Fell from the Sky and Taking Back Tara