Oh, man, the "shamelessly mythic approach" -- that's so right, and that's what I absolutely love about him. (And it's why until fairly recently I would be a little hesitant about actually recommending him to people, because I didn't know whether they would go for that.)

"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittens" -- ow, yeah, I can see that not being at all the best one to start off with. And yet, when situated in the sweep of the Instrumentality, it's still a great story -- but I'm glad it wasn't my first exposure :)