In his two major collections, Sixty Stories and Forty Stories, Donald Barthelme redefined the art of narrative from the ’60s through the ’80s. If you’ve never read Barthelme, it’s impossible to sum up his work; he is entirely original –something that can be said of very few. He examines modern life in stories that are so many things: challenging, satirical, enigmatic, unsettling.

Flying to America collects works the author left out of his previous anthologies, as well as stories previously unpublished. For the uninitiated, Sixty Stories is the place to start. But the Barthelme devotee can rejoice in seeing the rest of his work.

Grade: A-

Flying to America: 45 More Stories is currently available.