Carver has once again written in a simple and honest manner, this time about writing itself.

By drawing on his own writing and editing experiences, and making quotations from dozens of contemporary writers, he has created a wonderful compilation.

I think everyone who is passionate about writing and reading will love it.

Carver's work not only provides valuable insights into the craft of writing but also offers inspiration and motivation to aspiring writers.

His ability to distill complex ideas into simple and accessible language is truly remarkable.

Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, this book is sure to have something to offer.

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills and gain a deeper understanding of the writing process.

Overall, Carver's latest work is a testament to his talent and passion for writing, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves literature.

There is no one who can question Carver's astonishing ability to masterfully depict the dark and paradoxically implausible daily life in any secluded corner of 20th-century America. The narrative of misfortune, boredom, the broken, alcoholics, and those beaten down by marriage and relationships is at the same time the story of the collective reality of an entire middle class forged in the aftermath of the war and the social repositioning that characterized the great nations "thrown" into modernity without any warning. Carver's characters appear as broken and disheveled individuals, simply due to the passage of a completely normal existence, and this should not surprise anyone. Through these stories (published after his death), Ray, as he was affectionately known, presents the evolution of those we see every day, those who, by being everywhere, paradoxically become invisible. A reflection of reality is presented that is neither devastating, nor pessimistic, nor archaic, but rather consumes us with its accuracy and crudeness.

Especially, the stories "Firewood" and "If You Need Me, Call Me" are astonishing in their brief yet painfully undeniable development of love, depression, and strangeness in the so solitary human existence that still resonates today.

This is the first time I have read Carver. If I were to say that I have been fascinated, I would be lying.

This book, like others by the author, is a compilation of short stories. The peculiarity of this one, among all of his, is that it is posthumous and the result of the will of the widow who would have found them here and there. Perhaps, that is already the reason why it has not seduced me enough: yes, they are good stories by the author, but it is not something that he has chosen to form a whole with a meaning.

On the other hand, I must also say that, taken one by one, there are pieces that, despite their simplicity, penetrate the human soul with amazing ease. "Vandals" and, of course, the one that gives the title to the whole book.

Without knowing his work, I also think that they have a lot of autobiographical elements: alcoholism, failure, the search for salvation, the weight of the past, the understanding or merciless gaze of the other, the inconsistency of emotions that we believe are present and eternal...

If you have already read Carver, perhaps this book is dispensable. If you don't know him, it is a "tasting menu" that presents him to you and introduces you into his world. I don't think I have wasted my time reading it, and although - as I have already said - I had not read him before, I don't know if it would have been better to get to know him with "Cathedral" … I will tell you when the time comes.

Tonight, my heart has become constricted for everyone. It has also become constricted for you. It has been a long time since my heart has been constricted for you. My heart has become so constricted for you that I can't even say it. In a way, I have lost you, I have lost you. You are no longer mine.

I don't want to throw myself into the water. This is stupidity. We are fools. I know that whatever I say today will come back to us one day.

It is said that a broken heart. Write this word in your notebook. From personal experience, I say that this is the most sorrowful word in the language.

It is said that after that time when you left and went away, nothing else was important to me. Neither the children, nor God, nor anything else. It was as if I didn't know what had happened to me. As if life had stopped. Life continued and then one day I stood up. I stood up with a strange voice and said to myself, if I have no value in his eyes, well, then I must have no value in my own eyes or in the eyes of others either. It was the worst feeling I had. I thought my heart would break. What can I say? Defeat. Really. Of course, defeat. That's it. If you know, I am still defeated now. So you are in your own hands. My eggs are in one basket. All my dirty eggs are in one basket.

It is said that once I really loved you. I wanted to remember you, really. More than anything else in this world, I thought about you. Now how ridiculous it has become. Can you imagine it? We were so close that now it's unbelievable. Now it seems strange to me. I mean, such a monotonous memory. So sincere that it touches your heart. I don't think I have ever been so monotonous with anyone, no, I haven't.

The son said: Dad? Although you may think I'm crazy, but I wish I knew you when you were a child. That is, when you were my age. After all, no one but me knows. It's like if I think about it now, my heart becomes constricted, it's crazy, isn't it?

The human voice was not in work, nor in the head and the voice of every day. There was only beauty, peace, and the majesty of death.

This collection of stories is less intense than Beginners. There is less dramatic burden.

However, it preserves the storytelling magic of this author who, for me, is one of the best short story writers.

The stories included in this volume contain characters who start from scratch, who give themselves to alcohol, and who start new lives.

In short, we are talking about stories that reflect the misery and grandeur of humanity.

Highly recommended.

This collection offers a diverse range of tales that explore the human condition in different ways. Some stories may make you feel sympathy for the characters' hardships, while others may inspire you with their moments of hope and redemption.

The author's writing style is engaging and vivid, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the stories.

Whether you are a fan of short stories or just looking for an interesting read, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

You will be captivated by the author's unique perspective and the power of the stories to touch your heart and mind.

So, don't miss the opportunity to experience the magic of this collection of stories.

Raymond Carver writes extremely well in a difficult genre such as short stories.

This is a posthumous book in which 5 stories are compiled that have some kind of connection among them, such as alcoholism, the life of couples or marriages, loneliness, and fires, among others.

They are well-told stories where the ending is never obvious.

It is worth reading.

Raymond Carver's talent shines through in these short stories. The way he weaves together the themes and characters is truly remarkable.

The stories are not only engaging but also thought-provoking, making the reader reflect on various aspects of life.

The element of mystery in each story keeps the reader hooked until the very end.

Overall, this collection of short stories is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature.

Raymond Carver's works are a treasure trove. This collection not only contains his great fiction but also reveals his lesser-known talent as a book reviewer. His reviews are honest and unforgiving, yet presented with kindness. He would praise highly regarded works wholeheartedly. Additionally, the collection includes several introductions he wrote for books he was involved with. Carver scholars should not overlook this book in their studies. What intrigues me is the lack of mention of Gordon Lish, Carver's long-time editor, in many of the books I've read. While Lish played an important role in Carver's early development, Carver later produced a significant amount of work without Lish's help. His later work, including his poetry, showcases his growth as a writer and a person. The brief life of Raymond Carver is an amazing story that continues to be discovered and told.

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Five stories where the theme of marriage is put to the test.

And alcoholism. And life in general. And death. They are really great.

These stories explore the complex and often tumultuous nature of marriage. In some, the couple faces challenges such as infidelity, financial difficulties, or differences in values.

The theme of alcoholism is also prominent, showing how it can destroy relationships and lives.

Life in general is another aspect that is examined, with the characters dealing with everyday struggles, dreams, and disappointments.

Finally, death looms large in some of the stories, adding a sense of finality and inevitability.

Together, these elements create a rich and engaging tapestry of human experience.

There are five stories of Carver that were published after his death. Here, all the key characteristics of his work can be found: simplicity, crudeness, the drama of the couple. However, most of the stories seem unfinished or less polished than what Carver would have liked. It's not bad but definitely not the best of his work.

My favorite story is "Dreams". In this story, Carver展现了 his unique writing style. The simplicity of the language allows the reader to easily understand the plot and the emotions of the characters. The crude描绘 of the couple's relationship adds a sense of realism to the story. Despite its simplicity, "Dreams" manages to convey a powerful message about love, loss, and the importance of following one's dreams. It makes the reader think about their own lives and relationships, and leaves a lasting impression.

Carver was truly a master of the short story genre.

This book commences with great vigor, presenting the very kinds of stories that have made him renowned.

There are several interesting essays within. One is about his father, and another is about his mentor, John Gardner.

The subsequent section of the book showcases some of his extremely earliest writing when he was a student at Chico State University (which happens to be my Alma Mater, incidentally).

Most of these stories were rather dreadful. However, there was a fragment of a novel that seemed somewhat okay.

What follows is a section where Carver writes about the process of writing, and this was truly quite interesting.

Carver is famous for his lean style, and to gain an insight into his mind and understand why he writes in the way he does was truly fascinating.

The final section consists of reviews he wrote of others' writing. This was a bit of a hit or miss for me, depending on who he was reviewing.

It has made me eager to pick up some works by Jim Harrison, Tom McGuane, or Sherwood Anderson. As for the other authors he reviewed, not so much.

Overall, this book offers a diverse and engaging look into the world of Raymond Carver.

Raymond Carver's posthumous work.

The book in question contains five unpublished short stories by the North American writer, where, once again, he surprises us with his particular writing style.

Here, the ordinary is intertwined with the longing for what was and is no more.

There are sparse and gloomy reflections on life in a world where the most indifferent and bitter nihilism is suspected.

The relationships between couples range from being an impossible idyll to making you the sole center of existence... a sea of emotions in the chiaroscuro of life.

Here is my subjective evaluation of each of the stories:

"Firewood" (5/5)

My favorite in the collection. It deals with an alcoholic whose wife has left him and he tries to rebuild or resume his life, but in the distance, far from everything he knew and loved. It is a story of great expressive intensity and at times, it has seemed somewhat evocative to me. In my opinion, it is essential.

"What Do You Want to See" (4/5)

It is about a middle-aged couple who are going to separate for a few months and are invited to dinner by the owner of the property where they lived. An interesting story, with some traces of longing and sentimentalism that are not at all cliché.

"Dream" (5/5)

It deals with a wife who tells her husband about her dreams and about a neighbor with children who suffers a personal tragedy. It is a very human story that allows us to understand the fragility of life and the possible direct or indirect role we have with our fellow human beings. An excellent story.

"Vandals" (3/5)

The story deals with the discomfort and lack of trust of a husband regarding his wife's feelings for her former partner. The story has a good dynamic in terms of the dialogues (very organic) and the self-introspection of the main character; however, I felt it was somewhat linear.

"If You Need Me, Call Me" (5/5)

Another essential story in my judgment. It is about a middle-aged couple who have been unfaithful and then try to see how they can save their marriage. An excellently written story; with emotional moments and very well-knit situations... at times it has seemed deeply introspective to me, somewhat sad (without being absurd) and beautifully evocative. A literary gem.

In conclusion, a collection of posthumous stories that once again reveals the great relevance of Carver in contemporary literature. Highly recommended.

The star system I'm using is as follows:
0 = trash. I read it and deeply regretted it. It was a waste of my time and I wished I had never picked it up.

1 = tolerable as a distraction, but that's about it. It could pass the time, but there was little substance or value beyond that.

2 = an OK read. It was better than not reading at all, but I wouldn't be likely to recommend it to others. It had its moments, but overall it was fairly average.

3 = a good and enjoyable read. I probably would recommend it to friends. It had engaging characters, an interesting plot, and held my attention throughout.

4 = important, enhancing, and/or a great read. I'd strongly recommend it and might even read it again myself. It offered something unique, something that made me think or feel in a new way.

5 = transcendent, incomparable, and/or life changing. This is the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression, that changes the way you see the world or yourself. It's a rare and precious find.

Using this star system helps me to better evaluate and communicate my thoughts and opinions about the books I read.