Down the River with an Expert Guide

In his final collection, "A New Path to the Waterfall", Raymond Carver masterfully weaves together excerpts from works that have deeply influenced his life with his own poignant pieces about life, love, and the inevitable journey of dying. From the great minds like Chekov, he extrapolates and reforms the works into a beautiful tapestry of poetry that aligns with his own experiences and perspectives. This interweaving of different pieces feels like a profound culmination of his life. It is as if the author is passionately expressing, “This is who I am, who I was, and how I became that person. This is how it all beautifully comes together.”

The most frequently quoted work in the collection is from Anton Chekhov, who was an extremely influential writer in Carver’s life. One gets the distinct impression that Chekhov served as a guiding light to Carver, much like Virgil was to Dante as he led him into the mysterious and terrifying depths of Hell. His opening selection from Chekhov’s "The Privy Councillor (7)" sounds a cautionary note that becomes a recurring theme throughout the book. It urges us to live in the present moment and not sacrifice it for an uncertain future. Carver then counterbalances this with a piece near the end of the collection, "Gravy (118)", where he shares his own experience of having lived life to the fullest in the past ten years, despite being given a dire prognosis eleven years ago.
From another Chekhov piece, "Across Siberia (47)", Carver presents a story of futility, which is echoed in his own poem, "Looking for Work (19)". This theme of the futility of trying to achieve something when faced with obstacles and illness is a powerful one. Near the end of the book, Carver inserts an excerpt from "Perpetuum Mobile (101)" by Chekhov, which speaks of a foreboding. On the very next page, his poem "Quiet Nights (103)" tells the story of a person who is aware of their impending journey across the river to death.
Like Chekhov, Carver eventually lost his battle with cancer. However, he left behind a remarkable tribute to the man who had influenced him so deeply, along with his own map of the path down the river of life and death. His work continues to touch the hearts and minds of readers, inspiring them to reflect on their own lives and the importance of living each moment to the fullest.

I love Carver's stories as much as anyone. His stories have always had a unique charm that draws me in and keeps me engaged.

However, when it comes to these poems, I have to say that they really stink. I've tried to give this collection a fair chance, but I just can't find much to like about them.

That being said, I have given the collection two stars because there is a certain compelling and touching quality in these heartfelt confessions. The emotions expressed in the poems are raw and genuine, and that does deserve some recognition.

But overall, the poems are really not at all good. The language is often平淡无奇, and the imagery is not very vivid. I found myself skimming through many of the poems, rather than really engaging with them.

I'm disappointed with this collection, especially considering how much I love Carver's stories. I was hoping for something more from his poetry, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

Poesía incandescente. The intensity of the lyric breaks any schema. It seems there is a strategy and it is broken. Perhaps in that failure lies the success of minimalism. The strategy of the simple, the direct, of flattening the language over the folds of the immediate, produces a paradoxical effect in Carver.

Instead of reducing, it amplifies. If his stories are devastating for us, his reader victims, these poems, even more implacable, give nothing, not even the awareness of being a victim reader. They are the verses of a drunk Chekhov, raw, failed, resigned, connected to life only by an invisible thread of light made of disturbing words.

“This is how things were. The truth is, there isn't much more to / say.” (p. 86). “We turned off / the lights and got into bed and remained silent. / The silence of a house where no one can sleep.” (p. 67). “I look at the camera. / My smile turns to salt. A salt / where I stand.” (p. 34). Is Carver like Edith in Genesis? Is Orpheus in his direct genealogy? I think these fissures make sense.

Raymond Carver wrote until the day before his death. He simply couldn't stop. Considered the American Chekhov, he leaves in this poetry collection his reflections on a life dedicated to letters, to reality, to life in all its splendor and abysses. Verses that can be read as prose, that directly address you and attempt to dialogue with your logics. It is extraordinary to leaf through its pages and consider that the passion for writing can reach the eyes of readers as if it were a live and direct communication. Sometimes poetry helps to get through the day, and this poetry collection fulfills that wonderful objective.

He once wrote, "And did you get what/you wanted from this life?/I got it./And what did you want?/To be considered beloved, to feel/myself beloved on earth." Another time he penned, "I watch the lightning that jumps from Asia like/asleep,/my love stirs and breathes and/goes back to sleep,/part of this world and yet/part of that one." He also said, "Well, and why not? Kafka himself was a vegetarian and/abstained, but that doesn't prevent each one from being able to do/what he desires." In one of his works, he described, "I went to the sink and, I don't know why, I brought him/a glass of soapy dishwater. He took it/and said: This tastes strange, son. Where did you get this/water?/From the sink — I said./I thought you loved your father — said Mom./And I love him — I said — and I went to the sink and put a glass/in the soapy water and I drank two glasses just/so they could see. I love Dad — I said." He also shared, "When trying to write a poem while it was still/dark outside, he had the unmistakable sensation that/they were watching him. He put down the pen and looked around." And finally, "Forget all the experiences that involve dolls of pain./And anything that has to do with chamber music./Museums on rainy Sunday afternoons, etcetera./The old masters. All that./Forget the young women. Try to forget them./The young women. And all that."

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I’ve read this before, and I’m quite certain that I’ll likely read it again.

Even though Carver’s poems are an easy second to the first prize that is his remarkable story writing, there’s still a unique charm to them.

There’s a handful of truly beautiful, very short pieces within this collection.

The redemption he was seeking in these final poems, or at least the contentment he was celebrating, is not only interesting but also provides a sense of spiritual comfort.

It’s as if through his words, Carver is able to touch on something deep within our souls, making us reflect on our own lives and the meaning we seek.

His poems have a simplicity that belies their profoundness, and it’s this combination that makes them so captivating.

Whether you’re a fan of his stories or just looking for something new to read, these poems are well worth your time.

They offer a glimpse into the mind and heart of a talented writer, and a chance to experience the beauty and power of words.

So, if you haven’t already, give Carver’s poems a try. You might just be surprised at how much they can touch you.

Not all of the poems and structures worked for me, but the ones that did… goddamn.

It's truly remarkable how some literary works can have such a profound impact. While there were those that didn't quite resonate with my sensibilities, the ones that did were simply outstanding.

The power of language and the artistry of construction in those successful pieces were awe-inspiring. They had the ability to transport me to different worlds, evoke a range of emotions, and make me think deeply about various aspects of life.

It's as if the poets and writers behind those works had a special gift for weaving words together in a way that spoke directly to my soul. Their creativity and talent shone through, leaving an indelible mark on my literary experience.

Even now, as I reflect on those remarkable poems and structures, I can't help but be filled with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty and power of literature.

So far the book has wonderful potential.

It seems to hold the promise of taking the reader on an exciting literary journey. The words on the pages have a certain allure that keeps pulling me in.

This is also my first venture into Carver. I have heard so much about his unique writing style and the depth of his stories.

As I turn each page, I am eager to discover what lies ahead. Will there be unexpected twists and turns? Will I be able to fully understand and appreciate the nuances of his writing?

Only time will tell, but for now, I am enjoying this initial exploration into the world of Carver's literature.

I look forward to seeing where this book will lead me and how it will shape my perception of his work.

I want to read this because of the coda, "Late Fragments" that was mentioned on HMH LiT Tumblr. The link provided is http://hmhbooks.tumblr.com/post/72621....

It makes me wonder, and did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? The response is "I did." And then the question follows, what did you want? The answer is truly beautiful and profound. It is to call oneself beloved, to feel oneself beloved on the earth.

This simple yet powerful statement makes me reflect on the importance of love and connection in our lives. It shows that sometimes, the simplest desires can bring the greatest sense of fulfillment and happiness.

I am eager to explore this coda further and see what other insights and emotions it may evoke within me.

In general, I have a distinct preference for short stories over poetry, and this preference has been further solidified by my encounter with Carver's writing. His works have a certain charm that draws me in and keeps me engaged.

Among the poems I've read, I find myself leaning towards those that have a more story-like quality. For example, "The Painter and the Fish" is a poem that tells a vivid and interesting tale, making it more accessible and enjoyable for me.

Another piece that I quite liked was "Some Prose on Poetry". It offered some unique perspectives and insights into the world of poetry, which I found both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Interestingly, the place called Yakima was mentioned several times in these works. It added a certain local flavor and made the stories and poems feel more rooted in a specific time and place.

Overall, my experience with Carver's writing has been a positive one, and it has reaffirmed my love for short stories and my appreciation for those poems that can tell a good story.

**Reread and Favorite**

Rereading is a wonderful activity that allows us to discover new details and gain a deeper understanding of a text. When we reread, we can notice things that we might have missed the first time around. It's like taking a second look at a beautiful painting and seeing new colors and textures.

Favorite books, on the other hand, hold a special place in our hearts. They are the ones that we return to again and again, finding comfort and inspiration within their pages. Whether it's a classic novel, a thrilling adventure, or a heartwarming romance, our favorites have the power to transport us to different worlds and make us feel a whole range of emotions.

Rereading our favorite books can be a particularly rewarding experience. It gives us the opportunity to relive the story and characters that we love, and to see how our own perspectives and interpretations may have changed over time. So, the next time you have a spare moment, pick up one of your favorite books and give it a reread. You might be surprised at what you discover.

The Human Heart, That Old Port

Raymond Carver, a renowned short story writer, had a tumultuous life. Growing up in a chaotic working-class family with a violent alcoholic father, he himself succumbed to alcohol abuse, which nearly destroyed his life. Many of his stories were born out of his experiences with AA. Married at 19 and having three kids by 23, he early on engaged in "full-time drinking as a serious pursuit." However, ten years before his untimely death at fifty, he gave up alcohol and met the poet Tess Gallagher.

This poem, "Gravy," is from his last collection, A New Path to the Waterfall. It reflects on the past ten years of his life, which he describes as "gravy" - being alive, sober, working, loving, and being loved by a good woman. After being told eleven years ago that he had only six months to live at his previous rate, he managed to change his ways and quit drinking.

I wasn't initially a big fan of Carver's poetry, but a recent rereading of his short story collections and a chance find of a signed copy of his poems at a used book sale changed my perspective. The boxed hardcover edition, with only 200 copies produced posthumously and signed by Tess Gallagher (mine is #95), is a beautiful artifact. Reading a lovely review by Ilse of another collection of his poetry further piqued my interest.

In this collection, Carver's writing aesthetic remains a brutally honest realism, but there is a hint of softening due to the love in his life. His poems often blend the lyrical with the commonplace, and the straightforward language with sudden insights. They sometimes echo the force of his best stories and have a genuine heart.

One fascinating aspect of this book is the conversation it has with other writers, especially Chekhov. Excerpts from their works are placed between some of the poems, adding depth and context. Carver seems to have used his reading and writing as a way to heal and face the darkness in his life, as seen in his reflections on his past experiences and present struggles with cancer.

Overall, I think this is Carver's best collection of poetry, as it shows his growth as a writer and his ability to face life's challenges with love and grace.