The Stories of Raymond Carver: A Critical Study

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Raymond Carver, known in some circles as the "godfather of minimalism," has been credited by many as the rejuvenator of the once-dying American short story. Drawing on representative tales from each of Carver's major volumes of fiction, Nesset's critical exploration leads us deep into the heart of Carver country, an eerie post-industrial world of low-rent survivors. In this comprehensive study of Carver, Nesset discusses the relationship of minimalism and postmodern trends and the rise of new realism. By locating Carver in the gallery of American letters, Nesset shows him to be at once more simple and more complex than we might have believed, skillfully laying the groundwork for Carver studies to come.

131 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1995

About the author

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Kirk Nesset is author of two books of short stories, Paradise Road and Mr. Agreeable, as well as a book of poems, Saint X, a book of translations, Alphabet of the World, and a nonfiction study, The Stories of Raymond Carver. His new work in translation is forthcoming: Disappearances, Selected Stories by Edmundo Paz Soldan. Nesset's stories, poems, translations and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review, The Southern Review, American Poetry Review, Gettysburg Review, New England Review, Iowa Review, Agni, Crazyhorse, The Sun, Fiction, Witness and Prairie Schooner, among others. His short short fictions have been widely anthologized, appearing in W. W. Norton's New Sudden Fiction, Flash Fiction Forward, Sudden Fiction Latino, and elsewhere.

He grew up in northern California and studied at UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara, as well as abroad. He has taught at Whittier College, Allegheny College and the University of California, and served many summers as writer in residence at Black Forest Writing Seminars (Freiburg, Germany).

Community Reviews

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2 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This book holds a special allure.

It is penned by an individual who is not only a respected scholar but also an accomplished writer in his own right.

The combination of these two qualities makes the book truly unique.

The scholar's in-depth knowledge and research bring a wealth of information and insights to the text.

Meanwhile, the writer's skills in storytelling and prose make the content engaging and accessible.

Readers can expect to be both informed and entertained as they delve into the pages of this book.

Whether one is interested in the subject matter from an academic perspective or simply looking for an enjoyable read, this book has something to offer.

It is a testament to the author's ability to merge two different worlds and create a work that is both intellectually stimulating and artistically satisfying.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of words and the beauty of knowledge.
July 15,2025
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This is a remarkable analysis that delves into nearly every one of Carver's stories. It meticulously examines how Carver employed language, diction, syntax, and word choice to create a plethora of effects.

A significant amount of attention is also given to the instances where language is not utilized, that is, when speaking has proven ineffective as a means of communication for the characters, which is one of Carver's prominent themes. Nesset further traces other recurring themes in the stories, such as marriage, love, and failures of intimacy, among others. He also references Carver's poetry, essays, and interviews for supplementary material.

The study features a comprehensive bibliography, endnotes, and index. Regrettably, it does not adhere to the MLA style, which makes it extremely challenging to transition from the analysis to the supporting sources and even more difficult to locate the precise passages in the stories that the analysis pertains to. Stylistically, Nesset's paragraphs are rather disjointed,跳跃 from one story to another. While this approach builds evidence for his论点, it does tend to overshadow some of the details. Moreover, it poses difficulties when one wishes to compare the analysis with the stories. For example, following the arguments in certain paragraphs would necessitate referring to six stories spread across four different collections.
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