Sargeson's material is that of growing-up in the depression years in New Zealand. He writes in a colloquial style that, despite its simplicity, I found mannered, and with a tendency to be monotonous….

The shorter pieces [in his Collected Stories] are often just sketches of particular individuals who were part of his growing-up…. It is interesting to see that from his earliest stories to his last the style doesn't change. And that he relies almost entirely on the inventiveness existing in life for him to tell his stories. When he tries to write one in the more conventional way like 'A Great Day' … he is not very effective. But these are small criticisms. He has made something recognisable as Sargeson from his material—which is about all one can ask of a writer.

His best story is 'An Attempt at an Explanation.' How when he was hungry...