Late Fragment

And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? This is a profound question that makes one reflect deeply. I did. But then, what exactly did I want? I wanted to call myself beloved. I wanted to feel myself beloved on the earth. To be cherished and adored, to know that I have a special place in someone's heart. It's not about material possessions or worldly achievements. It's about the intangible feeling of being loved and cared for. It's about the warmth that spreads through our souls when we know that we are beloved. This simple yet powerful desire is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives.

My first encounter with Carver was truly a remarkable experience. His writing had a profound impact on me, and his last book left me craving for more.

Carver's unique style and ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his stories were simply captivating. Each word seemed to be carefully chosen, painting a vivid picture in my mind.

The characters in his book felt so real, as if I could reach out and touch them. Their struggles, joys, and fears were relatable, making me feel a deep connection to the story.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that Carver had created, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. His last book was like a precious gem, and I cherished every moment I spent reading it.

Now, I find myself constantly seeking out more of Carver's work. I long to explore his other books and discover the hidden treasures within. I know that each one will be a new adventure, filled with the same depth and beauty that I experienced in his last book.

Carver's writing has become a source of inspiration for me, and I am eager to see where it will lead me on this literary journey.

What a truly beautiful and profound end-of-life book of poems. I must admit that I haven't delved deeply into Raymond Carver's body of work. However, the manner in which these poems offer a peek into the final years he spent with his wife is truly remarkable. At times, it is beautiful, yet it can also be disturbing and deeply sad.

To be honest, I didn't cherish every single poem in this collection. But there are definitely some gems among them. For instance, this book contains one of my all-time favorite poems.

"Late Fragment" goes like this: "And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth."

I was also deeply touched by a line from the introduction. It was a note that Raymond Carver jotted down, and his wife included it after his passing. It reads: “Forgive me if I’m thrilled with the idea, but just now I thought that every poem I write ought to be called ‘Happiness’.”

~ Elisabeth

I have a deep love for the MCU, and their latest show "Secret Invasion" actually led me to discover "Late Fragments".

I was truly and pleasantly surprised by just how beautiful Carver's poems are. It has been quite some time since I've had such a strong desire to slowly and carefully digest every single word of a book. Reading this collection was an incredibly emotional journey that started from the very introduction and continued right until the last words.

I am so impressed and touched that I have already made up my mind to buy this book. I plan to keep it by my side and re-read it from time to time. This way, I can continuously immerse myself in the wonderful world of Carver's poetry and gain new insights and emotions each time.

It's amazing how a TV show could lead to such a wonderful literary discovery, and I'm truly grateful for this unexpected connection.

I truly adored what he accomplished with the long epigraphs.

He had the remarkable ability to take those extensive passages and skillfully cut them up into individual lines.

This not only added a unique visual element to the text but also enhanced the overall rhythm and flow.

The way he arranged the lines made the epigraphs more engaging and accessible, allowing the reader to easily absorb the profound words.

It was as if he was breathing new life into the old quotes, making them relevant and impactful in a whole new way.

His creative approach to handling the long epigraphs was truly a work of art, and it left a lasting impression on me.

I couldn't help but admire his talent and ingenuity in transforming something that could have been overwhelming into something beautiful and captivating.

It was a masterful display of how a simple technique could make a significant difference in the presentation and reception of written words.

Sometimes, for a brief moment, I have the wish that I could neatly separate my concerns about craftsmanship from the emotional impact that a work of art has on me. However, shortly after having such thoughts, I usually come to realize just how deeply intertwined these two aspects are. In fact, making such a distinction might even seem rather stupid, because in an ideal world, art thrives on making interesting use of the overlap between the two.

No other author sits as precisely at the tense intersection between these two concerns as Raymond Carver, the poet. And no collection of his work better exemplifies his no-frills portrayal of profound emotional currents than this particular one. Here, he grapples with his own impending death in the months leading up to his passing from cancer. This context inevitably elicits intense dramatic feelings that can potentially cloud the critical eye.

Anyway, I'm not a professional critic. I simply enjoy liking what I read. And here, in this collection, were the final words of one of my favorite writers.

I felt, at times, that he could have approached his subjects with a bit more restraint or perhaps developed certain aspects further. Some of the punches he landed seemed a little too blunt. But then again, that's all part of the process of confronting one's own mortality.

Tess Gallagher's introduction is truly beautiful, stirring, and an integral part of the book. There are several outstanding poems within these pages. My personal favorites were "Two Worlds," "The Moon, The Train," "The Letter," and "What the Doctor Said." Finally, I found the impact of "Late Fragment" simply irresistible. It moved me to tears.

Raymond Carver is my favorite author.

His works, both poetry and short stories, are truly amazing.

Carver's writing style is unique and captivating. In his poetry, he uses simple words and concise language to convey deep emotions and complex thoughts. His short stories, on the other hand, are known for their realistic portrayals of ordinary people and their everyday lives.

What I love most about Carver's works is his ability to find beauty and meaning in the simplest of things. He has a keen eye for detail and a talent for capturing the essence of a moment.

Whether it's a conversation between two strangers, a quiet moment alone, or a simple act of kindness, Carver can make us see the world in a new and different way.

His works have had a profound impact on me and have inspired me to look at life with a more open and curious eye. I will always cherish his words and continue to be inspired by his genius.

Excellent.

This is the last testament to Carver. The poems are easy to read, with a casual and honest tone.

Although Carver's stories are wonderful, they can sometimes seem like constructs that pretend not to be. However, these poems are not pretending to be anything. By openly quoting his sources of inspiration, there is an additional layer of modesty and honesty.

Most importantly, this collection made me stop and think about who Raymond Carver really was and what he was like. We discover that he was generous, compassionate, and full of gratitude.

This collection also served as my gateway to reading the lesser-known stories of Chekhov, all of which are equally wonderful.

It's truly a remarkable collection that offers insights into the mind and heart of Raymond Carver and leads us to explore other great works of literature.

Todo el capítulo 6 es un cinco estrellas constante.

It is truly remarkable. Every page within this chapter is filled with engaging content and valuable insights. The author has done an outstanding job of presenting the material in a clear and concise manner. The concepts are well-explained, and the examples provided are both relevant and practical.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced reader, you will find something of great value in this chapter. It offers a wealth of information that can be applied to various aspects of life.

The writing style is also very engaging, making it a pleasure to read. The author's passion for the subject matter shines through on every page.

In conclusion, chapter 6 is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic. It is a five-star chapter that will leave you informed, inspired, and eager to learn more.

This collection of poems/prose poems/extracts from Chekhov by Raymond Carver in his later years has seemed to me to have its pros and cons. And if it were by someone else, perhaps I would tell you to stay away.

However, I must insist, it's Carver, and one must read him. I would like to highlight the last part of the book. In this part, the author already knows that he is imprisoned by the destiny that awaits him, but he does not stop writing because of that. It is the best and the most raw thing that you will be able to read from his works, provided that you are inclined towards the poetic aspect of the author, of course.

Let me give you an example:

Tips

There is no other possible word. Because that's what it was. A tip
A tip, these past ten years.
Alive, sober, working, loving and
being loved by a good woman. Eleven
years ago they told him he had six months to live
if he continued as before. And that he wouldn't go
anywhere but to the bottom. So he changed
his way of life. He stopped drinking! And the rest?
After that everything was a tip, each and every one of the minutes,
until now, including when they told him that;
well, some things fell apart and
something grew in his head: "Don't cry for me"
-he said to his friends-. "I've lived ten more years than I or anyone
expected. Pure tip. And I don't forget that."

I think this might be my first Goodreads review ever. It's something that simply had to be done.

However, I'm feeling rather tired at the moment. So, instead of writing a detailed and elaborate review, I'll just post what I tweeted about this book two seconds ago.

"I was worried after the first 86 pages that this was going to damage my relationship with Carver as a writer. He is a writer I have invested a significant amount of time in, adored not only as a fan but also as a student. But then, something magical happened on page 87, and it completely transformed my perception. From that moment on, it was just amazing. I love #raymondcarver. You should too."

Xx

This is a collection that I will reread in perpetuity.

Published posthumously, yet carefully prepared for publication with the love and support of Carver's wife, Tess Gallagher, these poems possess an incredible power.

They achieve this through relatively simple musings on mortality.

Fatality in such a raw form could potentially be dreadfully morbid. However, Carver's lines are delicately tinged with joy and filled with an appreciation for life and its simplicity.

Despite the finite time we spend living, his words manage to capture the beauty and essence of existence.

Each poem seems to offer a unique perspective on the human experience, making this collection a truly remarkable and thought-provoking read.

It is a testament to Carver's talent as a poet and his ability to convey profound emotions through his words.

I am certain that I will continue to return to this collection, finding new meaning and inspiration with each reading.