A New Path to the Waterfall

... Show More
Raymond Carver, author of 'Where I'm Calling From', is widely considered one of the great short story writers of our time. A New Path to the Waterfall was Carver's last book, and shows a writer telling the truth as best as he knows how in the time left to him. The sixty-odd poems in this collection are linked by Carver with selections from other writers, most notably Chekhov, whose work was an inspiration and a guide, and by the cumulative force of the life and death questions he poses in them. As Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet guided countless readers discovering their true love and work, Carver's book will guide those in the process of celebrating a limited life and mourning the inescapable end of it. A New Path to the Waterfall is an essential book for those who admire Carver's work, and testament to the transcendent strength of the human spirit. In her introductory essay, Tess Gallagher, Carver's companion and fellow writer, lays out the circumstances of their last years together with matter-of-fact grace.

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1989

About the author

... Show More
Carver was born into a poverty-stricken family at the tail-end of the Depression. He married at 19, started a series of menial jobs and his own career of 'full-time drinking as a serious pursuit', a career that would eventually kill him. Constantly struggling to support his wife and family, Carver enrolled in a writing programme under author John Gardner in 1958. He saw this opportunity as a turning point.

Rejecting the more experimental fiction of the 60s and 70s, he pioneered a precisionist realism reinventing the American short story during the eighties, heading the line of so-called 'dirty realists' or 'K-mart realists'. Set in trailer parks and shopping malls, they are stories of banal lives that turn on a seemingly insignificant detail. Carver writes with meticulous economy, suddenly bringing a life into focus in a similar way to the paintings of Edward Hopper. As well as being a master of the short story, he was an accomplished poet publishing several highly acclaimed volumes.

After the 'line of demarcation' in Carver's life - 2 June 1977, the day he stopped drinking - his stories become increasingly more redemptive and expansive. Alcohol had eventually shattered his health, his work and his family - his first marriage effectively ending in 1978. He finally married his long-term parter Tess Gallagher (they met ten years earlier at a writers' conference in Dallas) in Reno, Nevada, less than two months before he eventually lost his fight with cancer.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
39(39%)
4 stars
34(34%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
Some poems in this collection are indeed stronger than others.

I have a particular preference for Carver's longer prose poetry. There are a few truly stunning prose poems within this collection.

In fact, I was so moved by several of them that I shed tears. For me, this indicates their great power on the emotional Richter scale. In other words, a poem that can make me cry is an excellent poem indeed!

It was an enjoyable experience to read Carver as a poet. It seems that fiction was his mainstay, while poetry was his mistress!!!!

It is interesting to note the different aspects of his creative output. The prose poems offer a unique perspective into his thoughts and emotions.

Although some may argue that his poetry is not as developed as his fiction, there is still a certain charm and authenticity to it.

Overall, this collection provides a valuable addition to the body of work of this talented writer.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book is truly a great read!

It has the power to captivate readers from the very first page. The story is engaging, filled with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists. The author's writing style is smooth and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone. It can transport you to different worlds, make you laugh, cry, and think.

It's a book that you won't be able to put down once you start reading. So, if you're looking for a good book to pass the time, look no further than this one. You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
... Show More

A Heartfelt Goodbye


Today, as I stand here, I am filled with a mix of emotions. It is time to say a heartfelt goodbye. This moment is bittersweet, for while I am sad to leave, I am also excited for the new adventures that lie ahead.


Looking back on the time we have spent together, I am filled with gratitude. We have shared countless memories, both happy and sad. We have laughed, cried, and grown together. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, and I will cherish them always.


Although we will be parting ways, I know that our connection will remain strong. Distance may separate us, but our friendship will endure. I will always be here for you, and I hope you will do the same for me.


So, as I take my final steps away, I want to say thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life, for making it richer and more meaningful. Goodbye, my friend. I will miss you, but I know that we will meet again.

July 15,2025
... Show More

Another collection of poems by Carver - a better writer of stories - has been collected. As I understand it, he was preparing to die when this collection was put together. He had been a sick man for a long time, and unfortunately, he seemed to have wasted his talents. I guess this is his way of signing off. It's a bittersweet moment, seeing this final work from a writer who had so much potential. His stories were often praised for their depth and authenticity, but it seems that his battle with illness took a toll on his ability to fully realize his creative vision. Nevertheless, this collection of poems may offer a glimpse into his final thoughts and emotions, a sort of literary legacy that will live on long after he is gone.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Raymond Carver penned this collection during his final days, while he was at home with his wife, facing the end of his life.

In just a few concise pages, he powerfully implores us to embrace love with great depth, to firmly resist the distractions that might pull us away from what truly matters, and to waste not a single moment on regret.

His writing style is distinctively "prose-y," characterized by its honesty and simplicity. It cuts through the clutter and gets straight to the heart of the human experience.

Carver's words have the ability to touch our souls and make us reflect on our own lives, urging us to live more fully, love more deeply, and let go of the things that hold us back.

His collection serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of珍惜 the present moment and making the most of the time we have.

Even in the face of death, Carver found the strength and wisdom to share these profound insights with us, leaving a lasting legacy through his writing.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Raymond Carver's "A New Path to the Waterfall" contains a poem titled "His Bathrobe Pockets Stuffed with Notes". In this poem, Carver presents a list of short written fragments found in someone's bathrobe pockets.

It's a bit ambiguous to whom the bathrobe belongs, but I suspect it might be Carver himself. The notes in the pockets range from personal memories to a recollection of a Belgian painter and even to Star Trek. In many ways, "A New Path to the Waterfall" is a hodgepodge blend of various elements.

It includes poems by Carver (loosely grouped by themes), translated works by other poets, snippets of Chekhov, and an introduction by Carver's second (?) wife, the writer Tess Gallagher. Her moving introduction tells the story of his death.

Sadly, I have to admit that this collection really didn't grab me. I'm a big fan of his short fiction, but I don't have much of a taste for poetry. I tried most of the poems in the book. Some seemed more like journal entries, and some of the longer ones lost me. I may have been trying too hard to find a theme. The ones I really liked were often the ones not written by Carver initially. My favorite poem in the book is a translation of a Czeslaw Milosz poem.

Of course, I was moved by Tess Gallagher's introduction, and there were some beautiful images and occasional world-wise phrasing that only Carver could produce. But overall, the book just didn't pull me in the way I had hoped.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Down below the window, on the deck, some ragged-looking birds gather at the feeder. These are the same birds, I believe, that come every single day to eat and engage in quarrels.

They cry out, "Time was, time was," as they strike at each other. It's nearly time, indeed. The sky remains dark throughout the entire day, and the wind, which is from the west, just won't stop blowing.

Give me your hand for a while. Hold on to mine. That's correct, yes. Squeeze hard. Once upon a time, we thought we had time on our side. "Time was, time was," those ragged birds cry.

description

The scene outside the window is a vivid reminder of the passage of time. The ragged birds seem to be in a hurry,争抢着 food and arguing with each other. Their cries of "Time was" echo in the air, as if lamenting the逝去的时光. Meanwhile, the dark sky and the constant wind add a sense of melancholy to the atmosphere.

Holding your hand, I feel a moment of warmth and connection. In this busy and unpredictable world, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the present and hold on to the people and things that matter. Although time may pass quickly, the memories and experiences we share will always remain.

As I look at the birds and the scenery outside, I am reminded that life is short and precious. We should make the most of every moment and cherish the time we have with those we love. "Time was" may be a thing of the past, but the future is still full of possibilities.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I have not had the opportunity to read this book.

As a result, I cannot provide a personal recommendation for it.

I understand that my name may have been associated with this book in some way, but I would like to request that it be removed.

I believe in providing honest and informed opinions, and since I have not read the book, I do not feel comfortable having my name linked to it.

I hope that this request can be accommodated, and that my name will no longer be associated with a book that I have not read and cannot recommend.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.