Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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Raymond Carver's works have always been captivating, and this particular piece was my first encounter with his literary genius.

The story unfolds with a sense of longing and loss, as expressed in the quoted lines.

\\"—Esta noche echo a todo el mundo en falta. También a ti. Hace mucho que te echo de menos. Te he echado tanto de menos que es como si no estuvieras conmigo. No sé cómo explicarlo, pero te he perdido. Ya no eres mío.\\"

These words carry a profound weight, making the reader feel the depth of the protagonist's emotions.

What I truly appreciate about Carver's writing is his ability to create vivid characters that seem to leap off the page.

Even though the stories may appear simple on the surface, there is always a hidden layer of complexity waiting to be discovered.

It's as if there is more to what meets the eye, or in this case, what is read.

Each story in this collection has its own charm and leaves a lasting impression.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that Carver has created, and I can't wait to explore more of his works.

His writing style is unique and engaging, making it a pleasure to read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and beautifully written stories.

It's a literary gem that is sure to touch your heart and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of words.

July 15,2025
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I had been wanting to read Carver for a long time. And although it might not seem like the best idea to start with his posthumously published stories in this way, it has left me not only with a very good taste in my mouth but also with a tremendous desire to discover many more texts by this great American author.

His open endings don't surprise you, but the use of metaphors and the feeling that remains in your body when you finish reading is something overwhelming.

I especially loved "Dreams". It is a wonderful story, and just for it, the book is worth it.

Carver's writing style is unique and captivating. His stories are often short and concise, but they manage to convey deep emotions and complex themes. The way he describes the characters and their relationships is truly remarkable.

Reading his work has been a great experience for me, and I can't wait to explore more of his literature. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good writing and thought-provoking stories.
July 15,2025
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The largest of all, even from a young and harsh age. "Firewood" is a story to take to the grave. It holds a certain allure and mystery that keeps pulling you in. It's not just a simple tale but one that delves deep into the human psyche and emotions. The characters are vividly drawn, and their experiences are relatable on many levels. You can feel the heat of the firewood as it crackles and burns, just as you can feel the passion and intensity of the story. It's a narrative that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and mind.

July 15,2025
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Although I had heard a lot about the author, the book was not really interesting to me. After reading about a hundred pages, I gave up halfway. The sentence that came to my mind almost after reading each story was: Well, so what?!

The book failed to capture my attention and engage me on a deeper level. The stories seemed rather平淡无奇 and lacked the excitement and novelty that I was hoping for. I found myself constantly asking the question "Well, so what?" as I read through the pages, wondering if there was any real point or significance to what I was reading.

Perhaps it was because my expectations were too high, or maybe the author's writing style simply didn't resonate with me. Whatever the reason, I was disappointed with the book and decided to move on to something else. I hope that in the future, I will come across books that are more captivating and thought-provoking, and that will leave a lasting impression on me.

July 15,2025
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I absolutely love Carver's style. Beyond what he tells, he always manages to make me create his characters in my mind. His writing has a unique charm that draws me in and makes me feel as if I am right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows.


Carver's use of simple language and concise sentences adds to the authenticity of his stories. He doesn't rely on flowery descriptions or complex plot twists to engage the reader. Instead, he focuses on the small details of everyday life, making the characters and their experiences relatable to anyone who reads his work.


Whether it's a story about a failed relationship, a moment of self-discovery, or a chance encounter, Carver's writing always leaves a lasting impression. His ability to create vivid characters and bring them to life on the page is truly remarkable. I can't wait to read more of his work and continue to be inspired by his unique style.

July 15,2025
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I have read the first stories of Carver and surely they won't be the last. I have loved this collection. Carver has such a hard, existential and very intense style but without sentimentality. The symbols he uses and their crudeness, as well as the atmospheres and solitudes he evokes, have reached me a lot.


In "De Leña", I liked the melancholy of the protagonist and the smell of popcorn and sawdust. I felt a great deal of nostalgia. How nice that he finds motivation in the task of cutting wood to keep writing and, in general, to keep going. The "rebirth" is also present in other stories of the collection.


In "¿Qué queréis ver?", it's again about the end of a relationship and the beginning again on the horizon. Everything that is suggested with the dialogues seemed amazing to me. I loved the ending, very hard, when the food of the landlord they leave behind spoils, just like the romantic relationships in these stories. I also liked a lot the symbol of the ring. All the details introduce you into his universe. Alcoholism reappears (present in all the stories).


In "Sueños", I don't know if I understood the importance of the woman's dreams that give the title to the story, but it was one of my favorites. How tender the morning routine of the couple is, although it implies dissatisfaction and disconnection. The man, always the observer, is also a witness of the neighbor's misfortune and, again, of her rebirth when she plants the seeds.


In "Vándalos", again with the presence of fire, alcoholism, loves and heartbreaks.


"Si me necesitas llámame" was my other favorite. A couple giving their last blows to separate irremediably after that. I liked how when she leaves he discovers the garden full of the hoofprints and the manure of the horses. Terrible and very sad but life goes on. I'm fascinated by how intensely the feelings hit the protagonists this last night (the horses, the fire...). I finished destroyed. Existential drift, alcoholism... are repeated. The subtlety present in all the stories.
July 15,2025
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Instagram has become a popular social media platform, and one particular post caught my attention.

The post, with the link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bud6vCCnJAH/,展示了一幅美丽的画面。 It might be a stunning landscape, a cute animal, or a fashionable outfit.

People are drawn to such posts as they offer a brief escape from the daily routine and a chance to欣赏他人的 creativity and experiences.

Moreover, Instagram allows users to engage with the content by liking, commenting, and sharing. This interaction creates a sense of community and connection among users.

Whether it's for inspiration, entertainment, or simply to pass the time, Instagram continues to be a platform that吸引着 millions of users worldwide.

The link provided offers a unique opportunity to explore a specific piece of content and join the conversation.

So, don't hesitate to click on the link and discover the wonders that await on Instagram.
July 15,2025
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I remember reading somewhere that drama is life with the boring parts removed.

Ordinary people going about ordinary events, but the art of the writer is to have a look at these ordinary matters within the story and be able to think about them for hours.

This view was very appealing to me because in my opinion, if something doesn't make us think, it's nothing more than a low-level entertainment.

Literary books tell stories, but sometimes they can be dull (in some stories). Of course, for me, a good ending in a story can do something that covers up all the past flaws. And I consider the ending of the story "Call me whenever you have work" (even though this story was in the middle of the book, for some reason it was the last story I read from the book).

This book may not have anything for me to refer back to again, but it will definitely remain in my memory.

#This_is_not_a_criticism
July 15,2025
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The essays and uncollected stories in this volume are truly more than worthy of a complete read. There are some exquisitely beautiful pieces within its pages. This is especially the case if you are already familiar with and an admirer of Raymond Carver.

Some of the early fiction included here may not be of the highest caliber, and I didn't have much interest in most of the book reviews. However, I did jot down a few of the titles, specifically the ones that intrigued me based on Carver's descriptions. This was actually a rather cool advantage of the book being presented as one large piece: reading about the authors that Carver likes and writing down the names if they are unfamiliar. But oh my, some of the essays and unreleased short stories are truly outstanding. "Fires" was my absolute favorite essay, and among the stories, "Kindling" was my top pick, although I really liked all of the unreleased stories very much.

All in all, if you are already a Carver enthusiast, simply pick up this book. It may not be the ideal starting point, but it will surely enhance an already established appreciation for his work.
July 15,2025
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This is a reading from the end of 2015, surely one of the best, and it was my first encounter with this author. Classic themes are addressed: failed marriages, alcoholism, and Carver does a great job of telling them. He tells them in a realistic, but not banal, vivid, and simple way. I think that realism is one of the characteristics of his style. "Willow" is the first story and it is also the one that I liked the most. It tells of Myers, an ex-alcoholic, who has been left by his wife to "get together with another drunk, a friend of theirs." So he has decided to go and live on the coast and has rented a room from Sol and Bonnie. He tries to write in his notebook and what comes out is "The void is the beginning of all things", but he considers it crap and closes the notebook.

"But he has certain eyes," said Bonnie.

"What kind of eyes does he have?"

"They are sad. The saddest eyes I have ever seen in a man."

I will read other works by Raymond Carver. I liked his style, short and realistic. The stories are short and very easy to read. It could be one of those light readings, because, despite dealing with not exactly light themes, it is devoured in a short time.

I am looking forward to exploring more of his literary world and seeing how he continues to handle these complex and often painful themes with such skill and simplicity. His ability to bring the characters and their situations to life on the page is truly remarkable and makes his stories a pleasure to read.

I believe that Raymond Carver is a master of the short story form and I can't wait to discover more of his treasures.
July 15,2025
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This is the first time I have read Carver. This particular book seemed to me to tell stories of high emotional complexity hidden in the apparent simplicity of the facts, in which, however, a great deal of density could be perceived.

There are a couple of stories that are directly impactful and others that are rather slight, where the actions are repetitive or uncomfortable dialogues predominate.

I think that to a certain extent the stories hold something very personal to the author's life, talking about alcoholism, breakups, love that ends, topics that, despite his writing style that doesn't completely convince me, are easy to identify with as human beings.

Carver's work makes me reflect on the various aspects of life and relationships. His ability to convey deep emotions through seemingly ordinary situations is remarkable.

Although some of the stories may not be to my taste, I still appreciate the overall effort and the unique perspective he offers.

I look forward to reading more of his works in the future to further explore his literary world.
July 15,2025
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These few posthumous stories of Carver implicitly yet undeniably evidence the author's experiences.


The back cover says: "It is possible that Carver did not publish these stories during his lifetime, worried about their autobiographical nature and the wounds they might cause." And indeed, all the stories share the same themes: characters who have stopped drinking, couples who no longer love each other, lovers in the middle, fishing, white horses, fire... Little clues that surely have a lot to say.


As always, I find the melancholy impregnated in each text of Carver fascinating and the way he savors the bitterness in each situation of life. However, this repetition of themes deprived me a little of the surprise in each story, keeping me waiting to see which one I would encounter, like a kind of spoiler.

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