Carver, Carver... How much your minimalist stories conflict with me!!

In "Three Yellow Roses", Carver showcases his talent for capturing the essence of daily life with a prose that, although often minimalist, resonates with a depth, let's say, surprising. Through several seemingly simple stories, where he leaves a lot of room for the reader, he immerses us in a sea of emotions and reflections that explore love, loss, and the search for connection.

Of the range of stories, "Three Yellow Roses" (from which the title comes) has been the one I liked the most. The story begins at an intimate and revealing moment: a man visits a woman who is about to embark on a new stage of her life. The woman, who is at a crossroads, seems like a temple of conflicting emotions, and her decision to leave behind her current life places her at the center of a whirlwind of feelings. The three yellow roses that the man gives her are not only a gesture of affection but a powerful symbol that encapsulates the fragility and beauty of the moments they shared.

Carver, with his characteristically minimalist style, offers us dialogues full of subtext and moments of eloquent silences. The interaction between the characters is impregnated with tension and nostalgia, where the words float heavily between them, as if each phrase could change the destiny of their lives. The yellow roses - a color that evokes both joy and sadness - become a powerful metaphor for hope in the midst of desolation, a reminder that despite the difficult decisions, beauty can still bloom.

Thematically, the collection traverses the streets of disillusionment and the search for authenticity. Carver confronts us with the harsh reality of deteriorated relationships, but also shows us that, in the scraps of daily life, there is light that shines even in the darkest moments.

And of course, there is a lot of alcoholism!

The art of Carver lies in his ability to extract the extraordinary from the ordinary. Through vivid descriptions and subtly woven emotions, he draws a portrait of life that is both painful and beautiful.

"Lean a carver asi dice mi novia" is a rather interesting and perhaps somewhat cryptic phrase.

It could potentially mean that someone is learning how to carve, as their girlfriend says. Maybe the person is taking up a new hobby or skill under the guidance or encouragement of their significant other.

The act of learning to carve can be a creative and fulfilling pursuit. It might involve working with different materials such as wood, stone, or even food.

As the person progresses in their learning, they could develop their own unique style and techniques.

Whether it's creating beautiful sculptures, intricate designs, or simply having fun with the process, learning to carve can bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

And with the support and words of their girlfriend, they may be even more motivated to continue on this artistic journey.

"No human voices could be heard, nor the daily noises. There was only beauty, tranquility and the majesty of death."

This sentence comes from the last story of Carver's collection "Elephant", which incidentally is also the last story the author wrote before learning that he was suffering from cancer, from which he eventually passed away. For some reason, reading this sentence, I thought that it might accurately convey the essence of Carver's stories. At first glance, his stories show a kind of stillness, a lack of action, almost a sense of death... A sense that so much of what you see or even much more, followed or happened before you read these lines.

The stories, of course, have as heroes ordinary men like Carver, some younger, some older, some with children, some without, all of them separated and trapped in this family situation that Carver called "disease", either from previous partners, or from current spouses, or from parents, or from siblings, mainly from themselves. People who simply would like to stand on the back of an elephant that would carry them to freedom and they would look at the sky with open hands.

I cannot express how much I have loved Carver through these two collections of stories that I have read and how I am caught in the dilemma of either reading all the remaining stories at once, or thinking that there will be no others and so I must appreciate them at a slow pace...

OVER AND ABOVE!!!!

It is incredible how, despite the fact that all the stories, except the last one, have practically the same plot - the life of a disenchanted man, who drags problems with his partner, with money and with his mother or another family member - they can have such an effect on the reader.

The monotony of routine, the mysterious and inevitable encounter with death and the apparent impossibility of love populate the pages of this beautiful book of short stories, loaded with other more subtle symbols such as a menudo, a pair of horses in the fog, an elephant or the raking of fallen leaves.

Another point in favor of the author is his ability to start the story in media res with a couple of simple brushstrokes (a phone call, insomnia, some boxes) and from there build the past of the protagonists, their fears and desires.

My favorite stories were "Menudo" and "The Elephant", both very oppressive like "Intimacy".

This book truly offers a unique reading experience, delving into the complex and often troubled lives of its characters, and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The way he writes is simple, soluble and without mythology!

Really excellent stories.

I am very glad that I discovered Carver and I will definitely read the rest as well.

Carver's writing style has a unique charm. His simplicity allows the readers to easily understand the essence of the stories. The lack of mythology makes the tales more relatable and down-to-earth. The excellence of his stories lies in their ability to touch the readers' hearts and make them think. Discovering Carver has been a wonderful experience for me, and I am looking forward to exploring more of his works. I believe that each of his remaining stories will bring me new surprises and insights.

The only thing bad about this book is the reader.

The stories within it are short, yet they are cleverly and masterfully formulated. I did manage to take some pleasure in them. In fact, I found myself unexpectedly invested in the characters, despite the likelihood that I would forget them in the next ten pages.

However, it is just not the kind of reading material that I truly enjoy. And I must admit, I curse my university reading list every day because of it.

Perhaps if I had come across this book in a different context, my perception of it might have been different. But as it stands, it simply doesn't align with my personal reading preferences.

Nonetheless, I can still appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that went into creating these stories. It's just a pity that they don't resonate with me on a deeper level.

Maybe with time and further exploration, I will discover more books that truly speak to my heart and soul. For now, though, I'll continue to struggle with this one and hope that the next item on my reading list will be more to my liking.

Raymond Carver has a simple and extremely powerful language.

When he describes ordinary and common things, he can touch people's hearts.

In this book that contains seven stories, my favorites are "Fil", "Sincerity" and "Child's Toy".

Carver's writing style is unique. His words seem to have a magic that can draw readers into the world he creates.

The stories are not overly complicated, but they are filled with deep emotions and profound insights.

"Fil" might tell a story about a relationship that is full of nuances and hidden feelings.

"Sincerity" could explore the theme of authenticity and how it affects our lives.

"Child's Toy" might take us back to our childhood and make us reflect on the simple joys and innocence that we once had.

Overall, Raymond Carver's works are a treasure trove of literary gems that deserve to be discovered and cherished.

Raymond Carver presents another excellent collection of stories, just like "Cathedral". There are seven stories in the book, featuring people with low income levels, those who are fighting the battle of life and are outside the "American Dream". Carver vividly describes the events he witnessed, felt or actually experienced in his own life, especially human relationships, the comings and goings between husband and wife, escapes and similar situations.

His writing style, which is very similar to that of Chekhov, pays a tribute to the legendary Russian writer in "Footwork", which tells the last moments of Chekhov. The story I like the most is "Child's Play". Although life and relationships in American society are different from ours, you will definitely find something in the writings. A big round of applause also goes to Ayça Sabuncuoğlu, who did the translation.

Even if you don't like short stories, read this one and "Cathedral", and I'm sure you will also love Raymond Carver.

Απαράμιλλη τέχνη και τεχνική. Σαν να ανακαλύπτεις τι σημαίνει πραγματικά Διήγημα...

Cutting-edge technology and techniques. It's as if you are rediscovering what a true Story really means...

In the modern era, the marriage of art and technology has given rise to a new form of expression. This seamless combination allows for the creation of experiences that were once unimaginable.

Whether it's through the use of advanced digital tools, virtual reality, or other innovative mediums, artists and technologists are collaborating to push the boundaries of what is possible.

It's like embarking on a journey of discovery, where each new innovation reveals a deeper understanding of the power and potential of art and technology.

The result is a world where stories can be told in ways that engage, inspire, and captivate audiences like never before.

I simply can't review anything by Carver. The truth is, I really don't know how to go about it. However, what I do know for sure is that whenever I read Carver's works, I can see with such clarity the scenes and situations he描绘s. It's as if they unfold right before my eyes. I can hear the voices of his characters so vividly, as if they are standing right beside me, speaking their lines. And what's even more remarkable is that I can even sense his voice, the author's own unique tone and perspective shining through. His writing style is so distinct, so recognizable, and over time, I've found myself growing increasingly fond of it. It has a certain charm and allure that keeps drawing me back, making me eager to explore more of his literary world.

Raymond Carver is a master of the short story.

We are introduced to his characters as ordinary individuals in ordinary moments, but through the course of just a few pages, with the help of the tiniest stray thoughts and actions, we come to know them intimately.

Often, that ordinary moment is actually a life-changing milestone in disguise.

My favorite story in this collection is the second one, "Whoever was Using this Bed".

A husband and wife deal with the all-too-familiar frustration of being woken up at 4 am. He wants to sleep, while she wants to talk. Neither of them is fully awake, and the clock is rapidly ticking towards sunrise.

Somehow, in the process, they manage to have one of the most important conversations of their lives. The story has the line-by-line economy of the smartest stage plays.

I'm only just learning that this brilliantly cold and sparse style may have been more due to his editor's ruthlessness. Let's call it a reluctant team effort, but it definitely works.

Carver obviously wrote what he knew. His world was filled with ex-wives, past alcoholism, and strangely reserved relationships with new partners, and this baggage is practically inherited by all of his characters.

Most of the stories in this collection succeed, some fall a little flat, and the final piece is something entirely different. "Errand" begins as a complete change of form, a well-researched account of Anton Chekhov's death.

Sneakily and almost undetectably, it changes tone from fact back to fiction, once again fixating on the essential tiny details, and holding out until the final two memorable pages to settle on a protagonist.

This was a great impulse buy and an excellent introduction to Carver's work. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more.

Tekinsiz, dertli, alkollü öyküler. Charles Bukowski'nin Dostoyevski okumuş hali gibiydi. Üst üste erkeklik krizleri, çıkmazları hakkında bu kadar öykü okumak iyi gelmedi. Ancak, Raymond Carver'la tanıştığıma memnun oldum.

Fil, Kutular, ve sonlara doğru Çocuk Oyuncağı hikayesi çok iyiydi. Çocuk Oyuncağı öyküsünde, at ile ayrılık teması vardı.

David Constantine'in Gerekli Güç diye bir öyküsü de vardı. At ile ayrılık teması burada da bir metafor mu bilmiyorum ama benim için bu temanın iki farklı öyküde görülmesi oldukça ilginçti.

Bu kitap, farklı yazarlardan oluşan bir öykü koleksiyonuydu ve her öykü bana farklı bir his veriyordu. Bazıları daha ağır, bazıları daha hafifti ama hepsi beni düşünmeye itiyordu.