Untouchable is a powerful and evocative term. It implies a state of being beyond reach or immune to certain actions or influences. This word can have various connotations depending on the context in which it is used. In some cases, it may refer to a person or thing that is considered sacred or inviolable. For example, in some religious or cultural traditions, certain objects or places are regarded as untouchable. On the other hand, untouchable can also describe a person who is socially or politically marginalized and excluded from certain privileges or opportunities. This can lead to feelings of isolation and discrimination. Overall, the concept of untouchable highlights the complex and often unequal nature of our society and the need to address issues of exclusion and discrimination.

The essays are very beautiful.

The poems I didn't like at all.

The short stories are cute, but (perhaps because I read the essays first) I find them very autobiographical and the endings seem too hasty to me.

Anyway, he is an author that I recommend reading.

I have learned a lot from him, from his prose.

Here I refer only to the poems of "Fires". Poems that Carver published in 1983 and which are an extension of his magnificent narrative universe. With certain exceptions such as a couple of poems about the Roman Empire and another about a tightrope walker whose death Carver saw on TV, all the others are Carverian poems: types who accidentally get their partner pregnant, unemployed types, types whose dog dies, types who struggle against alcoholism or the boredom of routine. Types who, nevertheless, Carver describes as being able to find certain revelations - or create certain revelations - about their own lives. All in order to move forward. A gem for the lovers of Carver, like me.

Carver's "Fires" offers a diverse collection of poems that delves into the lives of various characters. The exceptions, like the poems about the Roman Empire and the tightrope walker, add an interesting dimension to the collection. However, it is the Carverian types that truly shine. These are the ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, yet somehow managing to find meaning and hope in their lives. Carver's ability to describe these characters with such authenticity and compassion is what makes his work so captivating. Whether it's the unemployed man searching for purpose or the alcoholic trying to break free from addiction, Carver shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light.

"Fires" is not just a collection of poems; it's a testament to the human spirit. It reminds us that no matter how difficult life may be, we have the power within us to find our way forward. For lovers of Carver, this collection is a must-read. It offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a master storyteller and a beautiful exploration of the human condition.

Raymond Carver is truly a master when it comes to portraying human emotions and relationships with such authenticity.

His stories have a remarkable quality that makes them come alive. Every time I pick up one of his works and start reading, I am immediately drawn into the lives of his characters.

Their emotions seem so real, as if they are not fictional creations but actual people. Carver has an incredible ability to capture the subtleties of human nature, the joys and sorrows, the hopes and disappointments.

His writing style is simple yet powerful, allowing the reader to easily connect with the characters and understand their experiences. Through his stories, he shows us the complexity of human relationships and how they can change over time.

Reading a Raymond Carver story is like taking a journey into the hearts and minds of real people, and it is an experience that I will always cherish.

Raymond Carver is an author known for his straightforward approach.

He doesn't rely on an abundance of flowery language to charm readers. Instead, he presents his works in a concise yet exquisitely creative manner.

His use of real-life scenarios, particularly those related to family and marriage issues, makes his writing accessible and relatable to both young adult and adult audiences.

Despite his seemingly simple writing style, his stories have endings that make you think deeply.

While a few of the poems in this collection didn't quite hit the mark for me, the essays and short stories as a whole truly won my heart.

Raymond Carver has now firmly established himself as one of my favorite authors.

His ability to capture the essence of life's complexities in a few short paragraphs is truly remarkable and something that I will continue to appreciate and study.

I have always had a preference for reading his prose rather than his poetry. However, this particular collection has truly impressed me.

The essays within it are an absolute delight to peruse. They are filled with vivid descriptions and profound insights that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish.

The last short story, in particular, had a certain impact on me. It made me shiver a little, perhaps due to its unexpected twist or the intense emotions it evoked.

Overall, I now have a better understanding of the effect that Carver has on his readers. Each person may experience his works differently, depending on their own perspectives and life experiences. But there is no denying the power and beauty of his writing. It has the ability to touch our hearts and minds, and leave a lasting impression.

This collection is a testament to Carver's talent as a writer, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and beautifully crafted literature.

Fires by Raymond Carver

Raymond Carver's "Fires" offers a deeper exploration of his art and the hardships he endured. After his essay "On Writing," Carver delves further into the suffering involved in his creative process.

The reader discovers that Carver's children had the greatest influence on him. He also mentions a quote from Flannery O’Connor, which he disagrees with, stating that he had a wealth of experiences after the age of twenty, when his kids were already born.

Carver vividly describes the poverty his family faced, struggling to put food on the table. He took on various jobs, from being a janitor to picking daisies during the day, and even considered bond or debt collection. His wife worked as a waitress for many years before becoming a school teacher.

There is an incident in a Laundromat that highlights the writer's tense state. He waits for thirty minutes to use a drier, only to be thwarted by a woman who takes out her clothes and decides they are not dry enough. This moment emphasizes the impact of having children on Carver.

Carver also reveals that he was once considered a "practicing alcoholic" by his wife. Another influence on him was a teacher who was initially dismissive of his writing group but later changed his views.

To learn more about Raymond Carver, his debut, and his issues, you can visit the provided links.

Raymond Carver's work is a complex one that emerges. Essays, poems, short stories, interviews... It is a work that can bring those who love Carver closer to his world and that a reader who has not yet fallen in love with his pen can choose for the first acquaintance. However, I would like to present this book mainly to the reader who reads cheerfully with writing. The first two essays in the introduction of the book and the interview part in the last section contain important tips about his own writing process, especially for those who are new to writing, I think.

There is a dangerous side to reading Carver for the first time. When reading his short stories, such a thought always passes in the back of the mind; "but I could write this too". When reading one of the short stories in this book, I formed that "but" again, then I said "ha ha ha" and it passed. I am using the inability to understand this "but" and what it is as a compliment and I still wonder how this man beautifies the ordinary?

Þrískipt bók sem inniheldur ritgerðir, ljóð og smásögur er auðvitað fjölbreytt og spennandi bókin.

Það kom mér á óvart að ég hafði mest gaman af fyrsta hlutanum, ritgerðunum. Fyrsta ritgerðin, sem fjallar um föður Carver, er sérstaklega átakanleg. Sú saga finnst manni líka útskýra að einhverju leyti vesældina sem fylgdi Carver og sítekningu sumra af hans helstu umfjöllunarefnum eins og brotin heimili, vond samskipti og drykkju.

Hinar ritgerðirnar fjalla um skrif, það að byrja að skrifa og byrjun Caver í skrifum. Mér fannst þær innihalda einhvern meiri sannleika en maður finnur oft í sambærilegum greinum um skrif. Þó þetta sé reyndar alltaf sama sagan sem er endurtekin þannig séð.

Ljóðin fannst mér eiginlega sísti hlutinn þó hann sé stærstur. Þeim er skipt í fjóra kafla þar sem fyrsti og síðasti kaflinn eru bestir. Annar kaflinn er langt ljóð lagt í munn Bukowski sem ég kunni ekkert sérstaklega við. Þriðji kaflinn inniheldur mikið af ljóðum um sögulega viðburði sem mér finnst lítið spennandi og tengi ekkert sérstaklega við. Bestu ljóðin eru þegar hann kjarnar einhvern ömurleika eða dregur upp einhverja súra blöndu af mannlífi og náttúru.

Síðasti hlutinn inniheldur smásögur, þar af nokkrar sem ég hafði lesið. Það skemmtilega við þessar endurteknu sögur var þó að hann hafði breytt þeim, lengt þær og bætt við ýmsum atriðum sem voru ekki í þeim við fyrsta lestur.

Heilt á litið er þetta nokkuð gott safn sem býður upp á margar mismunandi tegundir af efni og getur skemmtað og frjálsaði huga lesanda.

"Fires: Essays, Poems, Stories" is an outstanding collection that is almost without flaw. It comes highly recommended to both those who are new to Raymond Carver's work and those who are already avid fans. My friend Jennifer, and I must thank her for lending it to me, has already penned a wonderful review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... Therefore, I won't write an overly long review here. However, I do want to draw attention to "You Don't Know What Love Is (an evening with Charles Bukowski)". I'm presuming it's essentially a transcript in the form of a five-page poem. Although fans of either Carver or Bukowski may not require it, here's a brief excerpt to pique your interest:

Bukowski this is the life I say
it's good to be poor it's good to have hemorrhoids
it's good to be in love
But you don't know what it's like
You don't know what it's like to be in love
If you could see her you'd know what I mean

The poems, the essays (particularly the one about Carver's father), and the stories - oh, the stories, my God, the stories - in "Fires" are all simply brilliant. Instead of spending more time reading this review, it would be far better to pick up the book and start reading.

This is the best collection if you want to get to know Carver.

It commences with an essay on his father and then progresses to his mentor. There is a significant amount of personal touch within these, which is then succeeded by his poems.

And Carver's poems are truly distinct from the typical poems I have perused. In a rather simplistic manner of description, even his poems bear a resemblance to his short stories.

The collection concludes with some short stories that I had read previously, yet I read them again regardless. Having read three of his collections just this year, and one last year, I believe I am officially taking a hiatus from Carver and can finally assert that I have read the majority of his major works.

Am I a fan? I am unsure. Will my future writing be influenced by his style? I do not know. But having read so many of his short stories, in fact almost all of them, I would like to think that they will, in one way or another, become a part of me.

Perhaps in the future, I will look back on this extensive reading experience and discover that Carver's influence has悄然渗透 into my writing, or maybe it will manifest in some other unexpected way. Only time will tell.

Nevertheless, for now, I am content to have delved deep into the world of Carver's literature and to have gained a better understanding of his unique literary voice.

Poetry doesn't appeal to me, but short stories and novels are wonderful.

"So Much Water So Close To Home" is a gem. This particular work stands out for several reasons. The author has a remarkable ability to create vivid and engaging characters that readers can easily empathize with. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The descriptive language used in the story brings the settings to life, making you feel as if you are right there in the midst of the action. It's not just a story; it's an experience that takes you on an emotional journey.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, drama, or simply a good read, "So Much Water So Close To Home" is definitely worth checking out. It's a prime example of why short stories can be just as powerful and captivating as any other form of literature.