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Elephant and Other Stories

raymond carver

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These seven stories were the last that Carver wrote. Among them is Errand in which he imagines the death of Chekhov, a writer Carver hugely admired and to whose work his own was often compared.

Stories included:
- Boxes
- Whoever Was Using this Bed
- Intimacy
- Menudo
- Elephant
- Blackbird Pie
- Errand

124 pages, Paperback

First published August 15,1988

This edition

Format
124 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 2003 by Vintage
ISBN
9780099449867
ASIN
0099449862
Language
English

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About the author

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raymond carver

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Carver was born into a poverty-stricken family at the tail-end of the Depression. He married at 19, started a series of menial jobs and his own career of 'full-time drinking as a serious pursuit', a career that would eventually kill him. Constantly struggling to support his wife and family, Carver enrolled in a writing programme under author John Gardner in 1958. He saw this opportunity as a turning point.

Rejecting the more experimental fiction of the 60s and 70s, he pioneered a precisionist realism reinventing the American short story during the eighties, heading the line of so-called 'dirty realists' or 'K-mart realists'. Set in trailer parks and shopping malls, they are stories of banal lives that turn on a seemingly insignificant detail. Carver writes with meticulous economy, suddenly bringing a life into focus in a similar way to the paintings of Edward Hopper. As well as being a master of the short story, he was an accomplished poet publishing several highly acclaimed volumes.

After the 'line of demarcation' in Carver's life - 2 June 1977, the day he stopped drinking - his stories become increasingly more redemptive and expansive. Alcohol had eventually shattered his health, his work and his family - his first marriage effectively ending in 1978. He finally married his long-term parter Tess Gallagher (they met ten years earlier at a writers' conference in Dallas) in Reno, Nevada, less than two months before he eventually lost his fight with cancer.

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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Cloneable
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Carver once again demonstrates his remarkable talent for writing short fiction.

He delves into the lives of ordinary people, exploring their mundane existences and the everyday challenges they encounter. These are not traditional short stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end; rather, they are more like fleeting snapshots.

Often compared to the American Chekhov (he even writes about him), Carver has the ability to engage the reader quickly, and for the most part, he succeeds.

I believe he is at his finest when he strips away all the artifice and writes from the heart about loneliness, love, and failed relationships.

Of the seven pieces in this collection, four stood out to me as truly excellent. I especially enjoyed 'Intimacy' and 'Blackbird Pie'.

Overall, while these stories may not be as good as some of his previous collections, when compared to many other short-fiction writers, Carver still hits the mark superbly.

His unique style and ability to capture the essence of human experience make his work well worth reading.
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Ma_E
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ο Ρέιμοντ Κάρβερ είναι ένας συγγραφέας που εδώ και καιρό ήθελα να διαβάσω. Οι κριτικές και η γενική αποδοχή τον θεωρούν έναν από τους σπουδαιότερους διηγηματογράφους. Συνήθως, το όνομά του αναφέρεται συχνά-πυκνά ως μέτρο σύγκρισης με νέους συγγραφείς που μου αρέσουν πολύ. Οι συγγραφείς αυτοί είναι συγκρατημένοι στις περιγραφές τους, έχουν μια φαινομενικά απλή γλώσσα, λιτή και μάλλον αρρενωπή, αλλά που κρύβει σαρκασμό και κοινωνική κριτική.


Ο ελέφαντας αποτελεί τις τελευταίες ιστορίες του Κάρβερ. Οι ιστορίες αυτές περιστρέφονται γύρω από μια κοινή θεματολογία, με μοναχικούς, μεσήλικες άντρες, χωρισμένους ή καμιά φορά ξαναπαντρεμένους, και η ζωή τους κινείται σε μια μετριότητα. Δεν συμβαίνει κάτι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό, αλλά όταν γράφεις τόσο καλά όσο ο Κάρβερ, δεν χρειάζεται κάτι μεγάλο. Γράφει ο Κάρβερ εξαιρετικά: ολιγόλογος, οξυδερκής, αλλά καθόλου εξυπνάκιας. Η ελληνική έκδοση έχει μια εξαιρετική μετάφραση, που κάνει την ανάγνωση τόσο ομαλή που ξεχνάς πως δεν είναι η αυθεντική έκδοση και νομίζεις πως έχει γραφτεί από κάποιον έλληνα.


Δεν είναι ένα βιβλίο που θα αλλάξει δραματικά την αναγνωστική μου καθημερινότητα. Δεν ήρθαν όλα τούμπα μετά την ανάγνωσή του. Είναι όμως ένα βιβλίο που διάβασα χωρίς κόπο και του οποίου η φωνή είναι μια πραγματική έμπνευση για το τι μου ταιριάζει ως συγγραφικός λόγος. Οι τέτοιοι άνθρωποι είναι δάσκαλοι και τα βιβλία τους είναι σαν μια επικοιδομητική διάλεξη περί σωστής μυθοπλασίας. Επιπλέον, οι σπουδαίοι συγγραφείς δεν κρίνονται μόνο από έναν αναγνώστη, αλλά από την συνολική αποδοχή και τον αντίκτυπο που είχαν στους συγκαιρινούς τους συγγραφείς. Εγώ πάντως θα διαβάσω κι άλλα βιβλία του.

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AdmiralSoul
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had to read this short story collection for University!

All seven short stories within this collection share a main theme of death, which casts a dark and depressing tone throughout. It was a real challenge for me to establish a connection with the characters. The reading experience wasn't enjoyable at all. I didn't like some of the events that occurred, and in particular, the story titled "Errand" struck me as quite strange. It left me with a sense of unease and confusion. I'm certain that I won't be re-reading this collection. The exploration of death in each story felt too heavy and didn't resonate with me on an emotional level. Maybe others might find something of value in it, but for me, it was a rather disappointing read.

I'll be looking forward to finding other literary works that can engage and move me in a more positive way.
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Saphy_Potters
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first book of Carver that I read is the short story collection "Elephant" (published by @metaixmio).

And I definitely want to read again some of his works.

The 8 short stories in it were amazing. "Menudo" and "Whoever Was Using This Bed" are my favorites.

"Quiet" stories, without any particular plot or climax, as if you are following the thoughts of a simple person who suffers from difficult family situations, problems of alcoholism, economic difficulties, etc.

It is very easy to read, and he is rightly considered the most important short story writer in America.

Carver's writing style is unique. His stories often explore the ordinary lives of ordinary people, revealing the hidden emotions and struggles beneath the surface.

Each story is like a snapshot of a moment in someone's life, yet it manages to convey a profound message.

His use of language is简洁 and precise, making his stories accessible to a wide range of readers.

Overall, reading Carver's stories is a truly enriching experience.
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Shakedon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Constant defeat, routine, the life of any man and/or woman who suffers with the daily grind. In "Three Yellow Roses", the tragedy is not exaggerated, nor is catastrophe resorted to. With the account of small events, it has the power to afflict and distress you. I am standing beneath one of the most perceptive authors on the subject of the human condition, and that leaves me satisfied.

Carver writes in a gentle and precise manner. I consider myself a disconnected writer, only writing about my misfortunes, only benefiting from the pen when I am devastated... Whenever I finish any of this author's stories, my spirit is kindled, inspiration dazzles every part that makes up my being. I don't know what it has. What does it do? It is so light, so simple, so precise... It soothes and disturbs you in short periods of time, takes you up and then down to the lowest depths. His paragraphs are musical curves of emotions, musical curves that enter my body and lead me to create, to conceive, to invent universes of stories and words.

I usually don't talk about the content of my readings. I like to avoid those crucial revelations that some call "spoilers". I feel that in this way each person can find their less subjective truth. However, in this case, I will tell you that the best part of the book shows itself towards the end: solitude, the grandeur of death, the savior complex, the loss of the self. All these transcendental themes are touched upon and addressed masterfully in this compilation of stories.
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TheGreatCthulhu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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With this book, I can say that I have now read all the short stories that Raymond Carver managed to publish during his lifetime. And I dare to say that there isn't a single bad story in his entire body of work.

The seven short stories that make up "Three Yellow Roses" are of an inexplicable genius. Carver leaves behind minimalism and delves into experimental short stories that are approximately 25 pages each. Solitude, alcohol, pain, and despair萦绕 throughout all these stories, and there are no words to describe what this man means to literature.

Simply, unbeatable.

Simply Carver.

Raymond Carver's works have always been highly regarded in the literary world. His unique writing style and profound exploration of human nature have touched the hearts of countless readers. "Three Yellow Roses" is no exception. Each story in this collection is a masterpiece, filled with vivid characters, complex emotions, and thought-provoking themes. Whether it's the portrayal of a broken relationship, the struggle with addiction, or the search for meaning in life, Carver's words have the power to make us reflect on our own experiences and understand the human condition on a deeper level.

In conclusion, "Three Yellow Roses" is a must-read for anyone who loves literature. It is a testament to Raymond Carver's talent and his place in the history of American literature. I highly recommend this book to all readers, both new and old, who are looking for a truly remarkable reading experience.
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Natsu_D_Luffy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I woke up with a migraine today.

It's nothing really, as I'm already used to it. Ever since I became a mother, I've been getting these migraines every month. It's like my body's way of gently reminding me that I can no longer sleep carelessly like a baby.

I then asked my daughter, "Honey, could you please fetch me Elephant from the shelf? I wanna take a pic with it." And yes, I meant the one with the ordinary cover.

This seemingly uninteresting event, however, takes on a whole new significance in the hands of Raymond Carver. The point has been made, and this review could potentially end right here.

Carver draws inspiration from the people next door and crafts literature based on their daily routines. In his stories, you shouldn't expect to find grand actions, but rather, the emotion will inevitably find its way to you.

So why read his works? It's because he has the remarkable ability to seize the moment, to grasp the extraordinary that lies within the ordinary, and to create art out of the simplest aspects of life. His stories have a way of making us see the world around us in a whole new light.
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Veronin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had firmly believed that I had already delved into every single short story penned by Raymond Carver. I had perused "Shortcuts" on numerous occasions and also devoured the extensive volume of stories titled "Where I'm calling from." I was convinced that I was intimately acquainted with every conceivable Carver moment. However, recently, I chanced upon a couple of collections in Readings, and I simply had to read both of them. The remarkable aspect of Carver's works is that it isn't precisely the stories themselves that we recall, but rather those poignant moments.

Take, for instance, the man whose wife has just discovered his affair. He has endured a sleepless night, and in the morning, the only thing he can manage to do is rake the neighbor's lawn. Or consider the husband who refuses to believe that the handwriting in his wife's goodbye note is hers. As she departs, suitcase in hand, there are two horses standing in the front yard.

This is what real life is all about - a tapestry woven from such moments, rather than from life-altering events. The "Elephant" collection has already found its way onto my ever-growing pile of books to be read again... and again... and again.
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