This collection of short stories was actually picked out by my book club--rare, hard to find and out of print at least for the physical copy. I had heard of Willingham before--he worked in Hollywood as a prolific if somewhat forgotten screenwriter--his projects included "Bridge on the River Kwai", "Spartacus", "Rambling Rose" and "The Graduate." But I didn't know much about his fiction--even though he was considered highly among peers such as Tom Wolfe and William Faulkner.
And reading this collection of short stories I can see why.
Willingham's short story work is amazing--finely crafted tales of humanism that are definitely effected by the post-war mentality that took over during the 50s. His stories run the gauntlet from 50s style domestic drama to well-crafted dark comedies about suicide and racism--he has an economy with words that is both sparse and spirited.
And even when he indulges in the most 50s tropes; faux science articles, space age oddities and somewhat lax gender relations--Willingham continues to have a strong sense of voice and tone that is uniquely his own but also seems to have inspired writers who came after him.
A great read
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