Book · 1970 · Billy, the Kid
The Collected Works of Billy the Kid
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It's called The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. It's by Michael Ondaatje. Mhm. It's it's so much more than what it sounds like. It's this very strange book that is a collection of short stories, photographs, poetry.
Clint Bentley · The Book Review · Feb 2026 Listen at 33:49 Why people recommend it
The Collected Works of Billy the Kid by Michael Ondaatje is an experimental hybrid work blending poetry, prose, and photography to explore the legendary outlaw's life. On The Book Review podcast on February 24, 2026, in an episode titled Director Clint Bentley on Adapting ‘Train Dreams’ for the Big Screen, director Clint Bentley recommended the book when asked by host Gilbert Cruz to name an obscure favorite. Bentley told listeners that the volume was significantly more substantial and complex than its title might suggest, describing it as a remarkably strange and captivating collection consisting of short narratives, visual photographs, and verse. Bentley's enthusiastic endorsement highlighted the unconventional structure of Ondaatje's writing, presenting it as a unique literary artifact that transcends standard biographical storytelling. Through this discussion, Bentley directed the podcast audience toward a poetic and visually striking exploration of the American West, emphasizing its deeply artistic merit and rewarding strangeness for readers willing to venture into less conventional literary forms.
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Clint Bentley It's called The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. It's by Michael Ondaatje. Mhm. It's it's so much more tha… 1
“It's called The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. It's by Michael Ondaatje. Mhm. It's it's so much more than what it sounds like. It's this very strange book that is a collection of short stories, photographs, poetry.”