When Raymond Carver gets it right, it's like a bolt of lightning - powerful, electrifying, and truly memorable. His works have the ability to strike deep within the reader's soul, leaving an indelible mark.

However, so much of this collection seems to follow the same pattern, lacking the diversity and innovation that one might expect. It's the same, same, same, and it can become a bit tiresome after a while.

And then there's the last story in this book. I tend not to believe in conspiracy theories, but seriously, who wrote it??? It does not sound anything at all like Carver. It's so completely different from anything of his that I've read before. It's as if it belongs to a completely different author.

One can't help but wonder if there was some sort of mix-up or if there's more to this story than meets the eye. It's a mystery that begs to be solved, and it leaves the reader with a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction.

Overall, while Carver's talent is undeniable, this collection falls short in some aspects. It has its moments of brilliance, but it also has its flaws. It's a bit of a disappointment, to be honest.

There's truly something special about reading short stories that holds a great appeal for me. Firstly, they pass by quickly, allowing for a swift yet fulfilling literary experience. Secondly, within just 10 pages, there can be a whole universe of emotions, characters, and situations. It's remarkable how much can be packed into such a concise format. Thirdly, only the most talented writers can do short stories justice.

I had never read a story by Raymond Carver before, but I had seen the movie "Short Cuts" which is based on his stories. A couple of those stories are included in this collection, most notably "A Good Small Thing". This story, which you might remember as the Lyle Lovett piece, is truly breathtaking in its depth and breadth of emotion.

Most of Carver's stories revolve around themes of drinking and ex-wives, but they are far from repetitive. They can be shocking, brutal at times, yet always accessible and heartbreakingly sad. The one that will remain with me forever is "Collectors", which is about a vacuum cleaner salesman and the "tenant" of a home. There's something about the laconic nature of the story, juxtaposed with its explosive, never-revealed undercurrent, that completely grabbed my attention.

The last few stories in this collection are new, and they are eerily parallel to his own life in his last few years. He divorced his long-separated wife, married his new wife, and then died of lung cancer. It makes you wonder about a lot of things, about life, love, and the inevitable passage of time.

http://tinyurl.com/4a63ub

Devo dire che con nessun altro autore l'effetto sorpresa è stato più violento che con Carver.

The three uninterrupted hours in which I thoroughly combed through "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" will remain one of my most significant reading experiences. I compared it to a woman met on vacation. If you bring that same woman home, the magic ends; something else begins, but the magic is lost.

Some stories are the extended version of those published in other collections. At the risk of being accused of blasphemy, I will write that I preferred those "Lish-ati" by the most famous editor of the last century.

The anti-baricchiani party has more members than the PD. I invite anyone who wishes to read this beautiful article, forgetting the membership card in their pocket.

http://www.oceanomare.com/ipsescripsi...

The first time I read it in a review on Anobii. I traced the painter and found an effective affinity between Edward and Raymond.

http://www.settemuse.it/pittori_scult...

I maintain the 5 stars for the memory of that woman met on vacation. When we think we are talking about love, often, we are talking about infatuation.

Without a doubt, this is the finest collection of short stories I've ever come across. Although I haven't delved deeply enough into the works of Chekhov or John Cheever to make a conclusive judgment, as of now, I firmly believe that Raymond Carver is the true connoisseur of the short story. His writing style is not only striking but also unique. It reminds me of Ernest Hemingway, yet I would dare to say that it is an improvement on the calculated use of language that Hemingway pioneered. These stories are all believable, yet often have a touch of the surreal. They occur in ordinary life but always manage to explore the depth of the internal life and relationships of highly relatable characters.

There are valuable insights into human nature and American society, especially as it was in the 70s and 80s. Themes such as friendship, how strangers interact with each other, the complexity of romantic relationships and marriage, loneliness, infidelity, addiction, aging, unhappiness, blue-collar work, dealing with death, and similar topics that everyone is likely to face at some point are explored. Some of my favorite stories include "Why Don't You Dance?," "Vitamins," and definitely "Blackbird Pie," along with the more traditionally recognized classics like "Neighbors" and "Cathedral." However, I understand that different personalities will be attracted to different stories. Many of the seven never-before-seen stories at the end of the collection展示了 a different approach than the rest of the works.

Overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys serious and realistic fiction. And Tate, if you're reading this, I dare you to write a better review (if that's even possible).

This one took a while.

It was a task that seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Every now and then, I had to take a break from the absolute hopelessness that was threatening to consume me.

The situation felt so overwhelming, as if there was no way out.

But I knew I had to keep going, no matter how difficult it was.

I would take a deep breath, gather my strength, and then continue on.

Sometimes, the break would only be for a few minutes, just enough to clear my mind and give myself a little boost of energy.

Other times, it would be a longer break, allowing me to step back and look at the situation from a different perspective.

Despite the challenges and the feelings of hopelessness, I refused to give up.

I was determined to see this through to the end, no matter what.

And in the end, I knew that it would all be worth it.

The story is seven pages long, but a lot can be said about it.

Actually, the story can never be "finished"; as it reaches its end, we are just facing the biggest knot.

I don't remember ever reading a story that ended in such a way.

June 2, 30.

Life is nasty, brutish, and short. This profound statement was made by Thomas Hobbes, a renowned philosopher. It presents a rather bleak view of human existence. Raymond Carver, a talented writer, might have chosen to narrate this idea in his own unique way. Perhaps he would have crafted a story that vividly illustrates the harsh reality described by Hobbes.

Carver's narrative could have shown characters facing difficult circumstances, struggling to survive in a world that seems unforgiving. The phrase "In this manner, the issue was decided" might have been used by Carver to bring a sense of finality to a particular situation in the story. It could imply that despite the nastiness and brutishness of life, there are moments when a decision has to be made, and that decision will have consequences.

Overall, the combination of Hobbes' statement and Carver's possible narration would create a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It would make readers reflect on the challenges and hardships that we all face in life, and how we choose to respond to them.

This collection of short stories is truly compelling.

Each short story serves as a fascinating window into the lives of ordinary people. It showcases the various problems they encounter and the ways in which they deal with those problems.

The stories begin with a comprehensive exploration of each character in the narrative. As you read, you may find yourself starting to think about someone you know in real life.

Mr. Carver's remarkable eye for detail is truly wonderful. You can almost feel the hot breeze gently blowing through a window and envision the curtains slowly opening to allow the refreshing breeze to enter.

Mr. Carver, who unfortunately passed away in 1988, was an award-winning author. His works have been translated into twenty different languages, reaching a wide and diverse audience.

It is quite hard for me to review this book because each story has its own unique charm and stands independently on its own merits.

I seem to be one of the few people who managed to read this before seeing the Altman film Short Cuts, which is based on nine of the stories. It's quite an interesting situation.

Most of my friends seem to have a different perspective when it comes to the comparison between the book and the film. However, I find that I like Short Cuts more than they do.

Possibly there's some connection between my prior reading and my preference for the film. Maybe having read the stories first gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the characters and the overall narrative.

It's also possible that the film was able to capture the essence of the stories in a way that really appealed to me.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to experience both the book and the film, and I look forward to exploring more works in the future.

**Elephant, or the Importance of Being There for Others**

Carver had a deep love for Jaspers' philosophy of freedom, and perhaps never before, as in this story, was he able to demonstrate how cathartic it can be to discover who one is in the world. In this episode 42, we talk about our role in relationships, choices, and, of course, the philosophy of freedom through the music of the Smiths.

We often find ourselves in situations where we have to decide how much we are willing to give and how much we should protect ourselves. In relationships, it is crucial to find a balance between helping others and not causing harm to ourselves. The concept of being there for others while also maintaining our own sense of self is explored in this episode.

The music of the Smiths adds another layer to the discussion, as it often reflects on themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. Through their songs, we can gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and how we navigate through life's challenges.

To listen to this fascinating episode, click on the following link: https://soundcloud.com/quarantadue-la...

How do the working poor experience anomie? What does it mean to be underemployed, rudderless, inarticulate, and utterly stuck?

It means living a life where one is constantly on the verge of financial disaster, like being just one missed paycheck away from having to uproot the family and move to another shabby rented room in a new town.

Would one respond by lashing out at loved ones, or would one sink into a kind of learned helplessness, with the only escape being into the deeper prison of alcohol?

Raymond Carver was dedicated to capturing all of this. It was his through line, his vocation. His and his characters’ lives were blighted alike by the same precarity.

We believe in the reality of these people, their failed relationships, and their unfulfilled dreams. We know that stasis and self-sabotage are often their lot.

For these people, things rarely change, and when they do, it is often ambiguous. Their speech reflects their daily struggle for survival, using simple and blunt words that fail to hide their deep-seated wants.

Carver’s stories are a mix of domesticity and tragedy. While some are terse and limited in scope, others, like “So Much Water So Close to Home,” “Cathedral,” and “A Small, Good Thing,” see into deeper truths.

In “So Much Water So Close to Home,” Claire’s husband Stuart ignores a young woman’s corpse, and Claire’s world is forever changed. She becomes aware of the violence and danger that women face, and her relationship with Stuart is irrevocably damaged.

“Cathedral” and “A Small, Good Thing” also explore themes of change, acceptance, and the power of human connection. In these stories, the characters are forced to confront their own limitations and open themselves up to new experiences.

Overall, Carver’s work is a powerful and poignant exploration of the human condition. His stories may be simple on the surface, but they are filled with depth and complexity, and they continue to resonate with readers today.

The majority of stories collected here are five-star reads.

That said, I'm truly glad I parcelled this out over eleven months.

Carver's voice and style are nothing short of fantastic.

Most of his stories rely heavily on those two strengths.

It's all about character studies rather than complex plots.

Reality takes precedence over sensationalism.

Monotony is explored and ultimately conquered.

Humanity, vulnerability, frustration, addiction, love, lost love, and the occasional dead body - all these elements are present.

Carver is, without a doubt, one of the greatest short story writers of all time.

This book is a bit like a greatest hits collection.

It's better to be sipped and savored rather than chugged down quickly.

Each story has its own unique charm and depth that requires careful attention and reflection.

Carver's ability to capture the essence of human nature and the nuances of everyday life is truly remarkable.

Reading this book is like taking a journey through the human experience, filled with both joy and sorrow.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.