While Mortals Sleep

This odd collection of early stories that either Vonnegut did not submit or that no one accepted has some of the signs of the later genius: Many of the characters are near stereotypes, but just a little off kilter, and every story has a strong moral point of view. Narrator Norman Dietz, appropriately, seems to be channeling a bit of Mark Twain into some of the stories' narrators, and he has command of a broad range of American regional accents. He deftly evokes the ordinariness of so many of the characters, letting their words and actions drive them away from stereotype. Still, this is probably for those who already appreciate the more mature Vonnegut. D.M.H. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine