Her word is a seal that engraves, and stops the silence, the melancholy, the gestured hint.

It describes Life just as it is, ordinary.

Because life is only extraordinarily extraordinary. It doesn't need an ultimate end or to bring teachings.

It is life. It flows, going somewhere or nowhere. Or remaining on a sofa.

Immense.

Life is a complex and multifaceted entity. It consists of the ordinary moments that make up our daily routines, as well as the extraordinary events that occur unexpectedly. Her words have the power to capture the essence of life, to give form and meaning to the intangible. They can break the silence and fill the void, bringing comfort and understanding in times of melancholy.

Sometimes, we strive for an ultimate end or seek teachings from life, but in reality, life simply is. It flows continuously, taking us on a journey that may lead us to unknown destinations or keep us in a state of stasis. Whether we are moving forward or remaining still, life is always present, vast and immeasurable.

We should embrace life in all its forms, both the ordinary and the extraordinary, and find beauty and meaning in the simplest of things. Her words serve as a reminder of the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the wonder and mystery of life.

The stories of Carver are so shocking because at their core lies the truth of the man who wrote them. Simple language with words so wisely chosen to touch the right nerve. All the stories end abruptly, just as they begin. However, they leave no loose ends. What had to be said has been said in the best way.

I singled out "Preservation", "A Small Comfort" and "The Pyre".

Very soon the other books of his will follow as well.

I recently read "Cathedral", the titular short story in this collection. The narrator and his wife are visited by Robert, a longtime friend and past employer of the wife. The narrator, who is meeting Robert for the very first time, initially feels a sense of superiority as Robert is blind.

However, things change after they watch a TV program about cathedrals. Robert shows a great interest in the human element and the sense of community that emerges when multiple generations come together to build a cathedral. His perception of a cathedral goes beyond its magnificent architecture. For him, it is a place of worship and a space for forging deep human connections.

This story beautifully explores the theme of seeing with one's eyes versus seeing and understanding the deeper aspects of things. Despite being blind, Robert has a greater understanding and is able to form profound and meaningful relationships. It makes one reflect on how our physical sight may sometimes limit our ability to truly "see" the world around us.

Rereading this story for the Short Story Club has been a thought-provoking experience, allowing me to gain new insights and perspectives each time.

Oh, Almighty God, take me and throw me into the summer of 84 when I had such beautiful nights with this book. The work deeply influenced me and I gently learned a new boutique of story writing and enjoyed it.

During that summer, every time I opened the book, it was as if I was transported to a different world. The words on the pages seemed to dance and come alive, painting vivid pictures in my mind. The author's unique style and creativity captured my imagination and held it captive.

I would spend hours lost in the stories, feeling every emotion the characters felt. It was a truly magical experience. And as I read, I couldn't help but be inspired to try my own hand at writing. I began to jot down my own ideas and stories, and before I knew it, I was on my way to creating my own little boutique of story writing.

That summer of 84 will always hold a special place in my heart, thanks to that wonderful book and the inspiration it gave me.

I have just now completed reading the story "A Small, Good Thing," and I am eager to share some thoughts. Raymond Carver is truly remarkable. His writing has the power to transform human behavior and ordinary experiences into something that is not only warm and comforting but also profound. His perspective on human behavior appears to be almost spiritual, as if he is able to see beneath the surface and understand the true essence of what it means to be human. He uses words like a poultice, gently applying them to heal the wounds of our souls.

The final story, from which the book takes its title, is truly a great one. Despite the main character being somewhat of an ass, don't let that deter you. The story contains a positive message that is both powerful and moving. I won't attempt to express the message here, as I believe that each reader will discover it for themselves in their own unique way.

Out of the 12 stories in the collection, only a few really spoke to me on a deep level. However, this is still a very good result, and it is for this reason that I am giving the book a 4. Overall, it was a great experience, and I am now determined to read all of Carver's fiction in order to discover my absolute favorites. I can't wait to see what other treasures he has hidden within the pages of his books.

A collection of short stories consisting of nine tales that were nominated for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize. Carver is one of the pillars of the minimalist or spare movement; reducing the number of words in short story writing and in poetry or literary compositions while being full of literary allusions. He is also considered a master of the American short story; as he reconfigured the way of writing with very short and dense texts. He tells you stories from the heart of American society about the failure in relationships, the shallowness behind the facade of life, the degradation of alcohol addiction which the author himself has suffered from, and the family problems from the heart of American society living a unified, harsh and fragmented life with anger at the mundane life, focusing on the ordinary and middle class of society members.

The stories start slowly, then speed up, and then have open endings, and as a reader, you have to infer the ending.

In my personal opinion, the most beautiful stories and their most complete literary ones, in the order they appear in the book, are: Cathedral, A Small, Good Thing, The Bath, Popular Mechanics, and What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

"Then I supposed we would be other people if that were the case, people who weren't us. I don't make that kind of supposition anymore. We were born the way we are. I'm sorry, but I can't talk like someone who isn't me. I'm not someone else. If I were someone else, I'm sure I wouldn't be here. But I am who I am."

I had no idea who Raymond Carver was before I picked up this collection of short stories. Naturally, I turned to the great oracles of the Internet to seek information about him. And they informed me that Mr. Carver is one of the American literary deities who rejuvenated the nearly extinct short story literary form in the 80s. My initial concern was for the short story medium that almost perished in the 80s. But don't worry, I verified and found that they are flourishing nowadays.

As I delved into Carver's stories, I came to understand that he is a virtuoso in crafting minimalist stories that conceal a plethora of themes beneath their simple façades. To be frank, his stories can be regarded as disguised ciphers. While reading, you might think the story is about bananas, but in reality, it could potentially be about potassium and carbohydrates or even oranges.

The bananas are merely a metaphor; to my knowledge, Carver never actually wrote about bananas. His themes were repetitive yet effective. He wrote about isolation, loneliness, alcoholism, marriages, miscommunication, and the human condition. Most of the stories in "Cathedral" utilize middle-class couples and their marriages as the stage setting, from which Carver unleashes a deluge of words to create impactful stories.

There were twelve short stories, and although I relished all of them, these are my top three picks:

A Small, Good Thing:
This one struck me deeply. Too deeply, to be honest. It's about a couple in a hospital waiting for news of their young son's recovery from a hit-and-run incident. The pain, the uncertainty, and the fear are so exquisitely written that you can't help but feel as if you're in the room with the characters. If I were asked to recommend one serious short story to anyone, this would be the one I would endorse.

Feathers:
This one is about an evening dinner with two colleagues and their wives. The story is replete with metaphors and bewildering domestic moments. However, it was the uncomfortable feelings of the characters, which seemed to seep into the reader, that made me enjoy this story immensely.

The Compartment:
In this story, we find ourselves aboard a train with a man who is traveling to meet his estranged son. Richly narrated, it was the implication of the story's conclusion that made me cherish this tale.

Parting thoughts

Carver writes stories that are teeming with life. Yes, it is a depressing collection, but no one could ever accuse them of being dull. Also, if you are the right type of audience, it will evoke insecurities and fears that you never knew you had.

It certainly did for me.

**"Cathedral": A Critical Analysis**

"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver is a thought-provoking short story that delves into themes of prejudice, ignorance, and connection. The story begins with the narrator's unease about the visit of a blind man, an old friend of his wife. The narrator's initial opinions are shaped by his limited understanding of blindness, influenced by what he has seen in the movies.

As the story progresses, we see the narrator's prejudices and insecurities surface. He is jealous of his wife's connection with the blind man and seems to look down on him. However, as the evening unfolds, the narrator is forced to confront his own limitations and expand his perspective.

One of the strengths of the story is Carver's ability to create complex and flawed characters. The narrator is a relatable figure, and we can see ourselves in his prejudices and insecurities. The blind man, Robert, is also well-developed, although some may argue that he is used more as a tool to make a point rather than a fully fleshed-out individual.

The story also explores the power of communication and connection. The exchange of cassette tapes between the narrator's wife and Robert is a unique and effective way to show their relationship. The moment when the narrator attempts to describe the cathedral to Robert is a powerful one, highlighting the limitations of language and the importance of imagination.

However, the story also has its flaws. Some of the details, such as the reference to "feeling people's faces," may seem inaccurate or offensive to some. Additionally, the ending may be a bit too ambiguous or contrived for some readers.

Overall, "Cathedral" is a well-written and engaging short story that raises important questions about prejudice, ignorance, and connection. While it may not be a perfect story, it is still值得 reading and discussing.

The highest point that a writer can reach in his art is truly remarkable.

If you also watch "Short Cuts" which is adapted from Carver's stories by Robert Altman, you will never get tired of its taste.

Robert Altman's adaptation brings Carver's stories to life in a unique and captivating way. The film showcases the complexity and depth of human relationships, much like Carver's writing does.

Watching "Short Cuts" allows us to explore the different emotions and experiences of the characters, and it makes us reflect on our own lives.

It is a masterpiece that combines the talents of both the writer and the director, and it offers a truly immersive and unforgettable viewing experience.

Whether you are a fan of Carver's writing or just enjoy a good film, "Short Cuts" is definitely worth watching.

Raymond Carver is a writer I really love, who left delicate traces in the literary world and short story writing. Figuratively speaking, having gone through the grinder of life, Carver has experienced the hardships of life, endured and become a representative of the trend defined as "Dirty Realism" with this accumulation. Since I think that reality is often quite dirty, I only described it as "realistic", the truly real truth.

His short story collection "Cathedral", which contains 12 short stories and leaves plain and unforgettable touches from life, was published in 1983. In this review, I do not want to give a detailed content in the name of not praising the emotions of the stories. These stories show the beauty of simplicity both in terms of form and meaning. These (fictional but equally realistic) slices of life that do not give place to exaggeration tell us all, those who lose, unhappy couples, those who cannot hold on, in a way.

All the stories in "Cathedral", especially "A Small, Good Thing" which affects me a lot, if you are a sensitive person, penetrate into the depths of your soul and even if you pull out the nails, the marks continue to stay with you.

"Cathedral", which I think readers who expect striking events, surprising endings and twists will never enjoy, is a book that leaves a slightly bitter taste like molasses-flavored religious candy and can be consumed slowly. It is like a heavy sunset tour in the familiar shallow waters of sadness, mourning, melancholy and most of all life.

I recommend it to all adult readers who can see big traces in small things.

And a final quote:

" - Once, when I was in high school, a counselor wanted me to come to her office. She had done this with all the girls, one by one. 'What kind of dreams do you have?' this woman asked me. 'Where do you see yourself in ten years? Twenty years?' I was sixteen or seventeen. Still a kid. I didn't even know what to answer. I sat there like a cow. This counselor was my age now. I thought she was old. Old, I said to myself. I knew that half of her life was over. And I felt like I knew something she didn't know. Something she could never know. A secret. Something no one knew, not even talked about. That's why I didn't speak up. I just shook my head. She must have given up on me, thinking I was stupid. But I couldn't say anything. Do you understand what I mean? I thought I knew things she couldn't guess. Now, if someone asked me that question again, about my dreams and such, I would tell them.

[...] - What would you tell them?

[...] - I'd say: 'Dreams, you know, are the things that disappear when you wake up.' That's what I'd say. If someone asked, that's what I'd say. But no one will ask."

This book truly changed my life in the most profound way.

It set me on the path to becoming a writer, opening up a world of possibilities and inspiration that I never thought existed.

But that's not all. This book was also quite literally the reason my girlfriend and I got together.

Yes, you heard that right. We are soul mates, and it all started with this amazing book.

It was as if the universe had conspired to bring us together through the power of this literary masterpiece.

Since then, our love has grown stronger, and we continue to explore the world of literature together, sharing our thoughts and feelings about the books we read.

This book will always hold a special place in my heart, not only for the impact it has had on my writing career but also for the love it has brought into my life.

It is a testament to the power of words and the magic that can occur when two people connect over a shared passion for reading.

I will forever be grateful for this book and the journey it has taken me on.

This time I knew what to expect. It wasn't like meeting them one evening after dinner and being unable to tear myself away until I had read them all (When we talk about love). This time I took my time.

There are two conditions for appreciating Carver. The first is the desire for reality. Whoever is passionate about fantasy, horror, or science fiction can leave it aside. Carver tells what he sees. His characters are not heroes, not psychopaths, not special people. In most cases, they are simply dedicated to alcohol. And precisely the relationship with alcohol is the second condition that determines the degree of appreciation for this author. The first condition is essential. Carver seems to have fully received the lesson of E. Hemingway:

First of all, one must write about simple things and then one must write only about what one sees and what one knows, without trying to create characters but only trying to restore people, that is, without thinking about what they should feel but only saying what they surely feel.

The second is not as much, but certainly a teetotaler in the midst of the effects of beer, whiskey, and gin might feel out of place.

Once I visited a large artistic nativity scene set up in a cloister.

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Before arriving at the manger, there was a path where one could admire shepherds, carpenters, fishermen, and blacksmiths. Whoever had built them had also managed to make them busy. In his stories, Carver has done the same thing with inanimate objects. When reading him, one is amazed in front of a match, a glass, a button... They make the plot work.