Raymond Carver is, without a doubt, one of the finest post-war American writers.

His genius lies in his ability to keep everything simple, crisp, and clear. He has honed his writing craft to such a remarkable extent that this collection could very well be considered his magnum opus.

The stories in this collection center around lonely men and women who engage in activities like talking, drinking, fishing, and playing cards to while away the hours.

Told in a minimalist style, with a razor-sharp understanding of how people interact in contemporary America, the dialogue reads like a dream.

While there is still an element of the cerebral rather than the emotional in the stories, this alienation is an integral part of Carver's unique literary package.

If you are in the mood to witness beautiful craftsmanship and take a sometimes wry, sometimes sad journey through the lives of ordinary Americans, filled with tales of unfulfilled promises and everyday accidents, then this collection is perfect for you.

It is short-story telling at its absolute grandest.

Before I picked up this collection, I only knew of Carver. Nothing special, no details - I was just, you know, aware that there was once an uncle named Raymond Carver who had written a few rather well-known short story collections. That's all. And then, logically, like any enthusiastic boy, when I saw the title What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, I thought it was about some cheesy melodramas and said (to myself, of course): "It won't work, Mr. Raymond! Maybe another time."

And here comes that other time. I don't even know how (okay, I know how - there were four beers at the bookshop). The fluttering cover landed in my outstretched hands. And, to no one's surprise (anglicism), Carver is not at all what I imagined him to be, that is, I couldn't have made a worse mistake. Indeed, to tell the truth, it's still about a kind of melodramas. But they are depressive, often sadistic, so dark that they can be comfortably called hopeless - but also in a way beautiful. Truly beautiful. Or at least sincere. Although who says those two words can't be synonyms?

Carver's style is that kind of masculine simplicity. Like Dovlatov without humor, Hemingway without that charismatic arrogance. Carver's style is the framework. And that framework allows the reader to really see some things. That's why I liked it so much, I think. Usually, I don't like short stories because, um, it takes time for the writer to "win me over". With Carver, it's all capcapcap, whether you like it or not, listen, here's the shock, the end. The first story opens the collection in just such a way, combining depression and discomfort, and immediately tells me that something special awaits me.

I read on Wikipedia that Carver's analogue in the world of painting is in a way Edward Hopper, through that dirty realism, and I agree, but I also think that both tend towards a kind of hyperrealism (not to sin against the soul, I like the word for their work more than I can fully claim to know what I'm talking about). Because what Hopper did with colors, stripping layer by layer to those elemental, raw and powerful ones, that's what Carver did with his style and the lives of his characters - but never with the characters themselves. No matter how naked they were, in a social sense (usually ordinary workers with a drink but not a picture but a story), in those few hundred words of individual stories, they have lives. They inhabit a completely desolate world, where there is no room for any complexity and muddled beauty, but there is always room for that personal I, no matter how problematic it is. And it seems to me that in the vast majority of stories, the focus is precisely on that, not on any action or plot (with a few exceptions, and usually those stories were also weaker for me, and they "stole" a point), but on that cry in an empty room and the subsequent listening to one's own words. Because these people, trapped in stories about "love", just want that - to be heard somewhere, somehow. Carver gave them that opportunity, like few others.

p.s. I like that Carver said that his greatest influence was Loren Darel (and not Hemingway). There's no connection at all when it comes to their styles. But the psychological nuances are there.

A collection of short stories that all revolve around loss, betrayal, and love....

What do we really talk about when we talk about love?....

In fact, we don't really talk. Instead, we are submerged in incomprehensible words, as if we are trying to catch them while they are fleeting with emotion. The words are urged to connect, but they are interrupted by pauses of silence. We see them fluttering as if a soft ball of wool is being tried to be held by a cat with both its paws. Do you think it can? Never....

Love is a complex and mysterious emotion that often defies description. It can bring us great joy and fulfillment, but it can also lead to heartbreak and pain. In these short stories, we explore the many different aspects of love, from the initial attraction to the deep and abiding commitment that can develop over time.

Through the experiences of the characters in these stories, we see how love can be tested and how it can overcome even the greatest obstacles. We also see how loss and betrayal can shatter a heart and how difficult it can be to pick up the pieces and move on.

Despite the challenges and difficulties that love can bring, it remains one of the most powerful and enduring emotions that we experience as human beings. It has the ability to transform our lives and make us better people. So, the next time you find yourself thinking about love, take a moment to reflect on what it really means to you.

A wonderful card and so simple in its enigmatic complexity. I felt like I was in a Creative fiction class. I felt as if Carver was teaching me to write prose for the first time after I had mastered the alphabet. He has a primary writing, but full of charm...

Carver doesn't deceive, but he takes you through the most tumultuous states. A Chekhov across the ocean, so simplistic and dramatic. I'm not going to write more about this book because there may have been more reviews better than mine written.

This book by Carver is truly a gem. It has a unique allure that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from start to finish. The stories are deceptively simple on the surface, but upon closer inspection, they reveal profound insights into the human condition. Carver's writing style is spare and economical, yet he manages to convey a wealth of emotion and meaning with just a few carefully chosen words. Each story is like a snapshot of a moment in time, capturing the essence of a character or a situation in a way that is both poignant and unforgettable.

What can you say now? I had heard that it would be good. Friends had encouraged me to read it, but was it really that good?

First encounter with Carver, surely the best impressions. Simple language and yet essential, because sometimes that's what's needed: to say a few words and have the reader understand a lot.

Why do we talk when we talk about love? For many reasons. For the things that were said and shouldn't have been said, for the things that were never heard when they should have been. For the things that no longer matter. For the things that we can change if only we want to. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but it was such a vivid dialogue that it was like seeing a classic American movie. Terrifying, overwhelming, straight to the heart.

If Edward Hopper were a writer, he would be Carver. Change my mind.

Review on my channel: https://youtu.be/3tczJh9srKI

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A week after I finished this wonderful short story collection, and I truly can't pen a few words that would do it justice. I attempted several times, and the only thing that pops into my mind is the nightmare we're all currently experiencing.

Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate seeing the things I've witnessed over the past two weeks.

At first, I believed this was merely the media doing what they do best: alarming people. But I was incorrect (or perhaps I didn't want to believe I could be right), and a few days later, I was literally in the "eye of the storm," observing people behaving as if the world was on the verge of ending, and the most crucial thing they required during the apocalypse was toilet paper!

After a few more days of witnessing this madness on the front line, I began to feel (even more) scared, not of the virus itself but of people. I couldn't, still can't, and don't think I'll ever fathom what's going on in people's minds. Everywhere I looked, all I could perceive was people acting in the exact opposite manner of what I thought (and still think) was the appropriate thing to do at the moment: to carry on living a "normal" life. However, I know (I truly understand now) that, of course, it's much easier to lead a "normal" life when someone lives the way I do: work, home, read, think, go out for some fresh air, read a bit more, go to bed, and think a bit more before falling asleep. I now realize that I've actually been training my entire life to self-isolate from all this chaos. I don't like this. I cherish silence. I relish being on my own. I adore nature. I love books, words, and stories, and the thing I like and admire the most is people like Mr. Carver: those with a sharp eye for human nature.

A collection of stories that are supposed to be emotional, start well but end with bad endings, losing the charm of the story.. I didn't like it and I didn't come out of it with a favorite story.

These stories seem to have a promising beginning, with interesting characters and settings. However, as the stories progress, they often take unexpected turns that lead to disappointing endings. It's as if the authors lost their way or simply ran out of ideas.

Maybe I was expecting too much from this collection. I wanted to be moved, to feel the emotions of the characters, and to be left with a lasting impression. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Overall, I would not recommend this collection to others. There are many other great works of fiction out there that can provide a more satisfying reading experience.

This collection of short stories provides brief insights into the darker aspects of human nature. Some actions are carried out, while others are left to fester in the mind. These are snippets of life, revealing what truly lies within one's heart and the ability to act upon it. We gain access to conversations that were not intended for our ears and witness a tug of war that leaves us stunned. I have always admired an author who has enough confidence in their work to let the reader draw their own conclusions. That is precisely what occurs here.

Each story is like a small window into a different world, showing us the hidden motives and desires of the characters. The author's skillful use of language and vivid descriptions bring these stories to life, making us feel as if we are right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

Whether you are a fan of short stories or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, this collection is sure to satisfy. It will make you question your own beliefs and values and leave you with a new perspective on the human condition.

Can we ever truly and fully define or comprehend the meaning of love?

"What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is not a book to pick up for a mood boost. Instead, it is a collection of seventeen short stories that delves deep into the dynamics of human relationships. It focuses on the various forms and expressions of love, and so much more.

I have a great appreciation for Raymond Carver's writing. His language is simple, yet it has the power to convey complex emotions that immediately captured my attention and held it firmly until the very end. He has this unique ability to paint a vivid picture and then let the reader absorb it independently.

The stories are presented in a straightforward manner, and they mostly succeed because the characters are so believable. He manages to capture people at their most vulnerable moments and sketch out ideas of messed-up situations that even a seemingly stable person can find themselves in.

It should be noted that not all the stories are absolute hits. However, some are truly shocking, while others plant a seed of thought that lingers and prompts further reflection. Overall, I enjoyed most of them.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love is a remarkable collection consisting of seventeen concise yet powerful stories that lay bare the unadorned and often ragged face of love. Contrary to the romanticized view that Frank Sinatra might have led us to believe, love, as Carver portrays it, is a fragile entity. Each story within this collection speaks volumes about love that has lost its luster. It presents a despairing and sobering perspective on love, all the more poignant because Carver avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality and exaggeration.

Several of the stories delve into the theme of love that has been blighted by various factors such as drunkenness, infidelity, or the sheer wear and tear of marriage. Carver, who himself had struggled with alcoholism, writes with authenticity about the destruction it can wreak. In ‘Mr. Coffee and Mr. Fixit’, the narrator and his wife both attend AA meetings. The wife has an affair with Ross, a fellow AA member who has little to offer. He limps from a gunshot wound inflicted by his wife and also has a younger lover on the side. One wonders what could possibly attract the wife to him. The narrator remarks, ‘He was in his mid-thirties when he went under. Lost his job and took up the bottle. I used to make fun of him when I had a chance. But I don’t make fun of him anymore.’ Despite losing his wife, the narrator still retains the ability to empathize with a man who has been similarly scarred by alcohol.

Infidelity is a prominent theme in several of the stories. In ‘Gazebo’, a couple manages a hotel together, but the man has an ongoing affair with a cleaning maid hired by his wife. He continues his unfaithfulness while simultaneously professing his wife to be his one true love. It is a tiresome and all-too-familiar scenario. In ‘Sacks’, a middle-aged man sits at a bar and confesses to his son about an extramarital affair with a saleswoman who comes to his house with a sack for his wife while she is out. In the bar, a woman is seen flirting with two men, serving as a silent refrain to the man’s confession. The father seems truly remorseful when he tells his son, “I liked to have died over it.” However, as in ‘Gazebo’, this regret fails to bring about any real change.

The mundane realities of day-to-day life, such as responsibility, ill health, and other personal crises, also pose a threat to the fabric of a marriage and gradually wear it thin. In ‘Bath’, a mother orders a birthday cake for her son, but he meets with an accident, and she ends up sitting in the hospital with her husband, both frightened and exhausted, waiting for their son to wake up. In ‘After the Denim’, a couple goes to play cards in a community club and discovers a young couple cheating at cards. The man is furious at their dishonesty, but the evening is further soured when his wife realizes in the toilet that their hope of having a child has been dashed yet again. Typically, in Carver’s stories about long-married couples, their challenges are juxtaposed against the carefree and light-hearted atmosphere of younger courting couples. For example, in ‘Why Don’t You Dance’, a young couple is seen buying a bed and TV at a yard sale of a man whose marriage has ended. In “After The Denim’, one cannot help but wonder if the denim-clad couple is aware of what lies ahead for them once the physical touching and cheating at cards have ceased.

The strongest story in this collection is the eponymous tale in which two couples sit over gin and tonic and engage in a debate about the nature of love. With Carver, it is essential to pay attention to the way he sets the backdrop for his stories. We are told that ‘The afternoon sun was like a presence in this room, the spacious light of ease and generosity.’ The conversation begins amicably enough but becomes increasingly difficult when Terry, one of the women, mentions a lover who has attempted to kill her and even beaten her up. She firmly believes that this is love, while her husband (Mel) vehemently disagrees. Questions such as how long love lasts and whether love is only as long as a memory are thrown into the air. As the debate drags on wearily, Carver dims the lights. The narrator remarks, : ‘Maybe we were a little drunk by then. I know it was hard keeping things in focus. The light was draining out of the room, going back through the window where it had come from...’ By the end of the story, the room has become completely dark.

It is a terrifying thought to consider that love has the potential to turn violent and cause harm to those in its path. In ‘A Serious Talk’, where a marriage has disintegrated beyond repair, a man visits his wife and children on Christmas Day and nearly sets the house on fire. In ‘Popular Mechanics’, a man who is leaving his wife engages in a fierce struggle with her over their baby, with disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, dirty snow melts down the window pane, and the darkness outside mirrors the darkness within the bedroom and their lives.

Read Carver’s stories. They are tightly written and have a profound impact. What is love truly? The collage of love presented here is far from beautiful. One thing, however, seems certain about its nature. Love requires nurturing and careful attention; otherwise, it will wither and die.

I am still not certain about how to classify this compilation of short stories. They are far beyond what I typically read.

These dark and brooding tales, told in a spare and ambiguous manner, present themselves as snippets of life from some rather desperate existences.

The fact that the author's life appears to have taken a similar path as his characters only intensifies the poignancy. It makes one wonder if the author is drawing from his own experiences to create these vivid and often disturbing portraits of human nature.

Perhaps the best way to approach these stories is to simply allow oneself to be drawn into their world and to experience the emotions and themes that they present.

Whether or not they fit neatly into a particular genre is almost beside the point. What matters is the power and impact that they have on the reader.

As I continue to read through this collection, I find myself becoming increasingly intrigued by the author's unique vision and his ability to create such memorable and thought-provoking stories.

I look forward to seeing where this literary journey takes me.