In retrospect, perhaps this book doesn't deserve four stars. It contains stories that hadn't been collected in books at the time of his death, along with some essays about writing and literature. It's yet another review for a book I read several years ago, and I remember very little about it. Instead of a real review, here is a piece I'd like to call:

What I Thought about When I Thought about Raymond Carver Today.

When thinking about what to write today, I was reflecting on how some writers have careers that seem to span decades. For example, when you think of Philip Roth, there are different Philip Roths from the 60s through the present. It's similar with John Updike. Other writers, however, seem to be associated with just one specific period of time. Like Tom Robbins, he could write novels until he's 189 years old, but it would still seem like he's stuck in the post-1960s to the very early 1980s. He'll never摆脱 his ex-hippie image.

Raymond Carver also seems to be representative of a very small slice of time, like the very early 1980s. He might have been dead by that point, or maybe not. I have no idea how long he was actually in the spotlight or when he died, and I'm not going to look it up because it's beside the point. He's there for just a moment, sort of like Nirvana in music to me. They aren't timeless; they're a brief flicker of the early 1990s and then they're gone. Carver is kind of the same way, but about 10 or 15 years earlier. Of course, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to Nirvana, at least subjectively, and I might be talking out of my ass about Raymond Carver, but anyway, that's what I've been thinking about when I've been thinking about Raymond Carver for the past day or two (ohhhhhhhh Henry twist!!! I said today in the title, but it's actually been for the past two days!!!!!).

Raymond Carver's stories are bitter, short, and with simple prose.

The landscapes that Carver描绘 are prominent, very clear, with high clarity and crystalline.

His writing style is clean and has used the fewest possible words.

Reading Carver's stories is good, useful, educational, and impactful. They are stories that will keep your mind occupied for a long time.

I had a good connection with some of the stories.

Such as "Cathedral", "Boxes", and "Elephant".

Carver's stories offer a unique perspective on life, exploring the ordinary and finding the extraordinary within it.

His characters are often flawed and struggling, but they are also relatable and human.

Through his简洁的 prose and powerful storytelling, Carver manages to convey deep emotions and profound insights.

Whether you are a fan of short stories or just looking for a good read, Carver's work is definitely worth checking out.

One to one hundred: My hands are busy with work!

One hundred and one: A collection of good stories beside; a good writing workshop was also there.

One hundred and two: A place was badly translated; more strange than bad. But still I am satisfied with Asadollah's work.

One hundred and three: "One hundred and three" I write the next part when I read it again. And I wish I could start reading it again right now.

Carver's "If You Need Me, Call" is a collection of short stories.

He begins by opening his notebook and writing "the void is the beginning of all things" on a blank page. He then stares at the sentence and suddenly bursts out laughing.

The collection is divided into two parts, with the first containing his posthumous stories and the second his youthful ones.

The recurring themes are his typical ones: the failure of marriage, couple relationships, and alcohol. The characters are ordinary, solitary people living in the daily discomfort and difficulties of life, fleeing from themselves in squalid American villas.

The dialogues between the characters are real, almost banal, full of details of everyday life. As we read, Carver helps us ask many questions.

Carver writes extremely well, his prose is very interesting, and the stories flow perfectly. But what happens in these stories? Nothing particularly remarkable. The dramas, failures, disappointments, and discomforts remain latent and silent. And then suddenly the story ends and we are left hanging, waiting, wondering what will happen now.

Here. I asked myself this question at the end of the book. So what? Did I miss something? I have read wonderful reviews of this book. Maybe it's me who didn't understand it; but does asking a lot of questions without giving answers serve any purpose?

Disculparán que comience mi comentario con un cliché, pero es cierto que si hay algo que Carver posee y demuestra en este libro, es una maestría absoluta en decirlo todo en cuentos que, a primera vista, parecen contarte nada. Nada, al menos en el sentido cotidiano: aquellos momentos más seguros, monótonos y simples. Conversaciones con amigos, sueños que olvidamos, saludar a los vecinos un miércoles por la mañana antes de ir a trabajar. Es en estas situaciones, aparentemente tan banales, donde Carver traza sus historias. Su genialidad radica en revelarnos, discretamente, la complejidad y la humanidad que se esconden en ellas.

Hay momentos en el libro en los que el nivel de tensión es tan elevado que parece que estás leyendo historias de horror. Pero en realidad, es solo el drama humano de la cotidianidad. El cuento que le da título al libro, "Si me necesitas, llámame", es una obra maestra. Es una radiografía profunda de las crisis que atraviesan los largos y tediosos matrimonios heterosexuales. Es una maravilla.

Cosa curiosa: casi todos los cuentos mencionan, en algún momento, un incendio y, también casi todos, tienen en algún momento la pregunta "¿Qué te parece?". Esto agrega un elemento interesante y recurrente a la narrativa de Carver, haciendo que los lectores se detengan y reflexionen sobre las situaciones y personajes que se presentan en sus cuentos.

Una scelta compiuta oggi ci libera anche dalle azioni passate

Se hai bisogno, chiama is a collection of posthumously published short stories. Carver had written some phrases of the philosopher Jaspers in his notebook, especially those taken from the philosophy of freedom. For Jaspers, with the decisive act, freedom is experienced within ourselves and the choice of today also holds true for the past as it gives it a new perspective.

The story that opens the collection is titled Firewood.

The protagonist is named Myers and he is a man who has to start over: he has just come out of an alcoholics' recovery center, has a failed marriage behind him, no job, no place to live, literary aspirations, but doesn't know where to start.

He stops along the road at a boarding house run by a grotesque couple: he is short, thin and has an injured arm, she is fat and more imposing. When they show him the bedroom, Mr. Myers is undecided. The window of the room overlooks the course of a river that opens into a delta in the Ocean. He doesn't decide to stay for the landscape, but because the woman, while showing the bed, smooths the sheet with her hand. The tenderness of the gesture moves him and he stays just for a caress on a cotton hem.

In the following days, he will try to write, but they will be thoughts destined to be erased. He makes fun of himself, doesn't believe in the value of words, finds them empty. Days pass and he can't get out of the room until one day a truck full of firewood arrives. Myers observes the scene from his room and goes out curiously. The firewood is unloaded on the lawn in front of the entrance and the pile towers high towards the sky. It will be him to take care of it, he feels that he has to do it. He feels that he will cut each log and put it in the garage. He offers, his is a true homage. With some hesitation, the owner accepts. This is Myers' choice. The work lasts for hours, but in the moment when he feels the tiredness growing, he intensifies his actions. Through the fatigue, he perceives his own body and through the repetition of the same actions, he feels calm: he knows what he has to do and nothing terrible can happen. He can make it, he is alive.

At the end of the day, he feels a strong joy growing inside him. He puts everything in order with slow gestures and leaves the lawn. Entering the bedroom, he writes in the notebook:

Tonight my shirt sleeves are full of sawdust. It's a sweet smell.

He opens the windows and lets the splashing of the river enter the room.

The water like a baptism: immersion of oneself, loss of oneself in view of a rebirth of the soul.

The story adheres to a traditional plot framework, consisting of an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action, and a resolution.

Nonetheless, the narrative's plot does not hinge upon an overt, blatant conflict between the spouses. Instead, it depends on an internal, concealed conflict.

This inner turmoil simmers beneath the surface, gradually building tension and driving the story forward.

As the story progresses, the reader catches glimpses of this hidden conflict through the characters' actions, expressions, and dialogue.

The climax arrives when this inner conflict reaches a boiling point, forcing the characters to make difficult choices and face the consequences of their actions.

The falling action then follows, as the characters begin to deal with the aftermath of the climax and find a way to move forward.

Finally, the resolution provides a sense of closure, tying up loose ends and leaving the reader with a sense of satisfaction.

Overall, the story's use of an inner, hidden conflict adds depth and complexity to the traditional plot structure, making it a more engaging and thought-provoking read.

*Reseña pendiente*

This simple phrase, "Reseña pendiente," holds a certain significance. It implies that there is a review that is yet to be done. Perhaps it is a review of a book, a movie, a product, or an experience. The anticipation of this pending review can build up excitement or curiosity. It makes one wonder what the thoughts and opinions will be once the review is completed. Will it be a positive assessment, highlighting the great aspects? Or will it be a more critical analysis, pointing out areas for improvement? Until the review is written, the full story remains untold.

We can only imagine what lies ahead. Maybe the person responsible for the review is currently gathering their thoughts, taking notes, or reflecting on the details. They might be considering different perspectives and trying to form a well-rounded opinion. As we wait for the review to materialize, we can't help but be a little intrigued. What will it reveal? How will it impact our own perception of the subject being reviewed?

"Reseña pendiente" serves as a reminder that there is still something to look forward to, something that has the potential to offer new insights and perspectives. It keeps the conversation alive and encourages others to engage in their own thoughts and discussions about the topic. Whether it's a highly anticipated review or a more casual one, it has the power to influence and shape our understanding. So, we wait with bated breath for the day when the "Reseña pendiente" becomes a completed review, ready to share its wisdom with the world.

Relatos inéditos del autor, algunos sin terminar, que se leen en una tarde. Estos relatos ofrecen una mirada única a la mente y la creatividad del autor. Algunos de ellos, como el que da título al recopilatorio, son de otra categoría. Son pequeñas obras maestras que cautivan al lector desde el primer momento.

Al leer estos relatos, se puede sentir la pasión y el empeño que el autor puso en cada una de ellas. Aunque algunos están sin terminar, aún así transmiten una historia y una emoción que son inolvidables. Cada relato es como una joya preciosa que merece ser descubierta y admirada.

En una tarde, se puede sumergirse en este mundo de relatos inéditos y disfrutar de la magia que el autor ha creado. Son historias que pueden hacer sonreír, llorar o reflexionar. Son historias que marcan y que quedan grabadas en la memoria del lector.

Raymond Carver is an American phenomenon. He is not just a regional writer but a world writer who penetrates boundaries. His celebrated simplicity is part of the reason for his wide appeal. However, his manner of birth as a public figure, including the influence of his editor Gordon Lish and the institutionalized study and teaching of writing in the U.S.A., is North American through and through.

Carver's works have evolved over time. His early works, edited by Lish, were more minimalist in style. But as he outgrew Lish, his writing became more sentimental and expansive.

"Call if You Need Me" contains three of Carver's best stories: "Kindling", "Dreams", and the title story. These stories are some of his most direct and least polished, but they are truly world-class.

Carver had heart and humility, and his works will continue to be read and studied for years to come. Some of his best works include "Neighbours", "I Could See the Smallest Things", "Cathedral", "Elephant", and the long poem "You Don't Know What Love Is".

The collection "All of Us: The Collected Poems" is highly recommended as it contains some of Carver's best poetry and proves that he was equally talented as a poet and a prose writer.

I truly love Carver.

However, this operation of publishing posthumous stories that the author had put in a drawer to discard or rework (who knows) is parasitism.

If he had decided not to have them published, he must have had very good reasons.

And indeed, we should respect the author's original intention.

These stories might not have been in a state that he would have been satisfied with for publication.

Publishing them without his consent is almost like violating his artistic vision.

Carver was a great writer, and his works should be presented in a way that he would have approved.

Rather than simply digging out these forgotten or unfinished pieces and putting them out there, it would be better to focus on his already published and well-known works.

This way, we can truly appreciate his talent and artistry in the way he intended.

3.5 stars rounded up.

It was truly a great pleasure to ‘hear’ his voice once more.

The sound of his voice carried a certain charm and familiarity that instantly brought a smile to my face.

It was as if a long-lost friend had suddenly returned, filling the air with a sense of warmth and comfort.

Each word he spoke seemed to have a story behind it, and I found myself completely engrossed in listening to him.

Whether it was his tone, his accent, or the way he emphasized certain syllables, there was something about his voice that was simply captivating.

It made me realize how much I had missed the sound of his voice and how important it was to me.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have ‘heard’ him again, and I look forward to many more such moments in the future.