Perfection.

Every story in this collection is pure gold. Raymond Carver operates on an entirely different plane when it comes to crafting stories that truly encapsulate real life and real people, especially those who are so frequently overlooked in literature.

There is a palpable darkness here, yet there is also a glimmer of hope. Out of the three collections of Carver's that I have delved into, this one holds the most redemption.

My favorites:

\\n  A Small, Good Thing\\n - I'm not one to cry easily, whether while reading or at any other time. However, by the conclusion of this story, I found myself shedding a few tears. The raw, emotional intensity of this narrative crept up on me just as it does to the characters. The humanity on the last page - it gives me a twinge in my heartstrings just to think about it now.

\\n  Vitamins\\n - The main character of this story is rather unlikable, in more ways than one, and there isn't much of a happy ending to speak of. But I was drawn to it for its intensity and the flawlessly executed theme of stagnation, which is quite prevalent across several of these stories.

\\n  Cathedral\\n - Of course, I couldn't leave this one out. It is regarded as one of the finest short stories of the era for a reason. I won't give anything away, except to say that there are several people I know who I believe would gain a great deal from reading this. Despite the title, it is not religious in nature, but perhaps you could consider it spiritual. I simply don't have the words to do it justice, but even if you don't read the entire collection, reading just this story alone is more than worth it.

Before writing this review, I conducted some research, precisely determining when and where these stories were originally published. As a result of this investigation, I also delved into Carver's life. From all of this, I gained the impression that this writer is one of the more highly regarded in the United States during the 20th century.

The overall rating is 3.5, which, when rounded, would be 4 in my opinion. And that's that.

The following are the names of the 12 stories, along with their original publication dates and locations. Generally speaking, I thought the writing was indeed very good. The sentences were not flowery, and there was no nonsense. I found this interesting regarding his sparse writing style:

Carver's editor at Esquire, Gordon Lish, played a crucial role in shaping his prose in this direction. While his earlier tutor, John Gardner, had advised Carver to use fifteen words instead of twenty-five, Lish instructed him to use five in place of fifteen. Objecting to the "surgical amputation and transplantation" of Lish's heavy editing, Carver eventually parted ways with him.

For example, "Feathers" received a rating of 3.5 and was originally published in The Atlantic Monthly in September 1982. "Chef’s House" had a rating of 3 and was published in The New Yorker on November 30, 1981.

The short story "Cathedral" was included in Best American Short Stories, 1982 and is the final story in Carver's collection Cathedral (1983). With its publication, Carver finally received the critical acclaim he had desired. It is widely regarded as one of his finest works, demonstrating both his skill in crafting a minimalist story and his ability to write about a catharsis with simple storylines.

Notes: Carver was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1984 for this collection. In 1983, he was chosen to receive a significant tax-free award of $35,000 a year for a minimum of five years. His career was dedicated to short stories and poetry, and he described himself as "inclined toward brevity and intensity" and "hooked on writing short stories." His subject matter often focused on blue-collar experiences, reflecting his own life.

I always have rather a hard time appreciating collections of short stories. Well, this is not the case...

Carver has a mastery in telling moments of normal, almost banal, everyday life that I have encountered very few other times.

Above all, in my opinion, the short stories "A Small, Good Thing" and "Fevers" stand out.

Carver's writing style is simple yet profound. He has the ability to make the ordinary seem extraordinary and to draw out the emotions and significance hidden within the most mundane of situations.

In "A Small, Good Thing," he explores the themes of grief, isolation, and the power of human connection. The story follows a couple whose young son is in a coma after being hit by a car. As they wait for news of his condition, they are haunted by a mysterious baker who keeps calling and leaving strange messages.

"Fevers" is a more complex and ambiguous story that delves into the themes of love, desire, and the nature of truth. The story is told from the perspective of a man who is having an affair with a married woman. As their relationship progresses, he begins to question the motives and true nature of both himself and his lover.

Overall, Carver's collection of short stories is a masterful work of literature that offers a unique and poignant perspective on the human experience.

I don't know if it's the right time to read the "unspoken" sides of ordinary lives from Carver. How does one prepare oneself for these? Digesting them is often very difficult, and there are stories that I will want to read again and again. After closing the last page of Richard Ford's "Wild Life", I felt as if my hands were frozen from the cold and I was in a trance. The coincidence between the feelings created by the stories in this book and mine is not accidental. The indifference, incomprehension, and the way each pain is experienced according to the sufferer that dominate the stories crashed down on me like a nightmare. Fortunately, there was the excitement provided by a well-written text in the background, so I could take a breath of fresh air into my lungs.

I am the recipient of each story. However, the stories "Tires", "A Small, Good Thing", and "Cathedral" are hitting my mind hard. Details like the allegory between the peacock and Fran in the story "Tires", Jack who says he will stop loving Fran if she cuts her hair and Fran who finally cuts her hair, the couple who "sell themselves inside" because of the physical appearance of someone else's child and can't come together and talk when it comes to the shortcomings of their own children, and the crooked teeth that Olla puts in the showcase to remember what she cared about have engraved in my mind. In "A Small, Good Thing", I recognize the comfort in the sentence "Eating is such a small, good thing at a time like this." They are like siblings to my comment that I wrote for "Losing My Humanity": "Sometimes when troubles come like something that can be overcome by eating, regardless of the owner, we let out an 'oh'."

English (Cathedral) / Italiano

This collection of twelve stories by Raymond Carver is truly remarkable. It serves as the perfect example of how to engage the reader's mind by simply discussing daily events. With his minimalistic prose, Carver has the extraordinary ability to understand that the ordinary and the commonplace, such as a household accident, a watch theft, or even death, are the most familiar aspects that connect us to life. The impact on the reader is like an emotional earthquake. Among the twelve short novels, in my view, A Small, Good Thing stands out. It is an absolute masterpiece of unnatural perfection! It shows that a short story can convey more depth and meaning than a thousand novels. The simplicity of the language belies the profound emotions and insights that Carver manages to capture. His stories make us look at the ordinary in a new light and appreciate the beauty and significance that lies within it.

Vote: 9

La raccolta di dodici racconti di Raymond Carver rappresenta l'esempio perfetto di come mettere in subbuglio l'animo del lettore parlando di fatti quotidiani. Grazie anche ad una prosa semplice e minimale, Carver ha il grande pregio di intuire più di ogni altro autore che il quotidiano e l’ordinario sono quanto di più familiare ci lega alla vita. Il risultato è un terremoto emotivo in chi legge. Una menzione speciale merita per me "Una cosa piccola ma buona", capolavoro assoluto di innaturale perfezione! Questo racconto dimostra che un racconto può dire più di mille romanzi. La semplicità del linguaggio celata le emozioni profonde e le intuizioni che Carver riesce a catturare. I suoi racconti fanno sì che guardiamo l'ordinario sotto una nuova luce e apprezziamo la bellezza e il significato che vi è all'interno.

Voto 9

Kalbimi kırıyorsun dostum.

You are breaking my heart, my friend.

It feels like a sharp pain is piercing through my chest with each passing moment.

I thought our friendship was unbreakable, but now it seems to be crumbling right before my eyes.

I don't understand why you would do this to me.

We have shared so many memories together, both good and bad.

But now, all those precious moments seem to be fading away.

I feel so betrayed and hurt.

I hope you realize the impact of your actions on me.

Maybe one day, you will look back and regret what you have done.

Until then, I will try to pick up the pieces of my broken heart and move on.

Carver's latest collection of short stories is yet another genius work, filled with laconic, grimly funny or just plain grim tales, similar to his previous four. Here are some of my favorites:

"Feathers" tells the story of a guy and his wife who are invited to a workmate's house for dinner. Bud and Olla have a peacock and an extremely ugly baby. ("Even calling it ugly does it credit.")

"Preservation" follows a man who loses his job and his life starts to fall apart. The fridge breaks down, and his wife gets ready to go to an auction to buy a new one. That's it, folks.

"A Small Good Thing" is about a boy who is hit by a car and later dies. The grieving parents receive calls from the baker who is waiting for them to pick up the birthday cake he made for their son. They get angry and rush to see the baker, but something unexpected happens.

"Careful" is a simple story about a man who has a visit from his estranged wife Inez. His ear is blocked by wax, and she helps him. That's all there is to it.

"Fever" focuses on a college teacher whose wife leaves him. He has major difficulties finding someone to take care of his two kids while he's at work. The day doesn't go smoothly at all.

Carver fans should definitely not miss the Robert Altman movie "Short Cuts," which combines six or seven of Carver's stories. Purists may be appalled by the idea, but it's actually a great piece of work that weaves the stories together in a unique way. And Tom Waits is in it!

Each story in this book is like a caress from a cold hand.

It is as if the words themselves have a certain temperature, a temperature that is both chilling and captivating.

As you turn the pages, you are drawn into a world where emotions run deep and the unexpected lurks around every corner.

The characters come alive, their joys and sorrows palpable, and you find yourself empathizing with them, sharing in their experiences.

This book is not just a collection of stories; it is a journey into the unknown, a exploration of the human psyche.

It challenges you to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden meanings and emotions that lie beneath.

With each story, you are left with a sense of wonder and a desire to know more.

It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, a book that will make you think and feel.

Wow, what is this? It's like a novel telling an engaging story, and I couldn't put it down and read these stories. American short story writing is as praised as it is. Stories are like a sensitive balance: there is not a single word in the wrong place, not a single sentence constructed redundantly. Almost at the end of every story, my hair stood on end. But my favorites are "Compartment" and "A Small Good Thing". After reading Cheever's "The Swimmer", I also want to read the train again, and I wrote it here so as not to forget.

American short stories have a unique charm. They can capture the essence of life and human nature in a short space. The writing is concise and vivid, making the reader feel as if they are in the story. Each story is like a precious gem, shining with its own unique light. Whether it's the exploration of human emotions, the reflection on social reality, or the pursuit of truth and beauty, American short stories always have something to offer.

I am really glad to have discovered these wonderful short stories. They have not only enriched my spiritual life but also allowed me to appreciate the beauty of language and literature. I believe that these stories will continue to inspire and move more readers in the future.

I had read "Katedral" years ago.

On my second reading, I liked its stories even more. Maybe it's because my understanding of the stories has changed a lot compared to that first time. I don't know for sure.

In general, there is a certain underlying tension in all the stories. Reading with the feeling that something is about to happen at any moment brings the reader closer to the plot and the characters.

Another reason I like it is that there are no overly grand events in the stories. There are small changes and instantaneous decisions. It's as if we are watching the stories with a camera.

There is a gloomy shadow in the stories. The characters are dull, troubled, and penniless. They talk little and think little. Some of them, for example, drink a lot. It's as if they are living a life that has been put on hold within real life. But they are very alive and very real.

Perhaps it is because of this that the small experiences they have also change the course of the story and make it powerful. I had the opportunity to look at it from a slightly different perspective with this book. So when I reached the small cores inside, I liked it even more. Thanks to Teacher Beliz, of course :).

Reading Raymond Carver's stories feels like a kind of hunting to me.

You don't just focus on the plot of the story, but rather, you wonder about the feelings it will leave you with when it ends.

For example, in the opening story "Tension". He doesn't form a clear sentence about the tension at the dinner table, the difficult coexistence between the couples, whether this is good or bad, but he creates such an atmosphere that no one can remain insensitive to that tense guest environment, the weight of being husband and wife/parents, and the burden of forced friendships.

I won't even mention "A Small, Good Thing". That story is so strange and so impactful. "Cathedral", "Where I'm Calling From", and "Fire" are also among my favorites.

Carver's writing has a unique charm that draws you in and makes you feel a range of emotions. His stories are often simple on the surface, but beneath that simplicity lies a deep exploration of human nature and relationships.

Reading his work is like taking a journey into the hearts and minds of his characters, and it's a journey that I always enjoy.

Carver is an author who demands our full attention. In my opinion, he is undoubtedly the great master of the short story. However, when you first start reading him, especially if you are young and lack sufficient experience, as was my case, it may not seem like he is telling you anything particularly special or extraordinary. This leads to the question: what do people see in Carver that makes them talk about him so much? I believe something similar happens with Hemingway in the long story: it doesn't seem that special, it's not that great... But as you distance yourself from the story you read, you realize that each of his stories is a masterpiece. They are small sequences of reality, dedicated to extracting bites of everyday life, almost always dramas, big or small, but in any case brilliant. There are some short narratives that I don't know how many times I have read; I like especially, although not all are from "Cathedral": "It's a Wonderful Life" (I must have read it 4 or 5 times for sure), "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love", "The Elephant" (a brilliant utopia). Also, after reading many others who try to imitate him, you realize how complicated it is to write in the "Carver style", suddenly throwing the reader, without much preamble, into the middle of a situation or story, with just two pages or two sentences, with its context and structure, where another would take a whole book to write and not achieve the success of Carver.

Unfortunately, you quickly finish his work, which consists of only 4 or 5 compilations of small fragments of genius.