Several excerpts from the conversation between John H. Paine and Tobias Wolff (Part Two of "The Thief") are selected.
As we grow older, we gradually understand that living in this world sometimes requires compromise; we pick up things, small pieces of our existence that we must ignore in order to move forward. The process of becoming human is an inevitable negotiation with the world. But this also breeds a sense of longing in our existence, a longing for a state that we imagine we will reach at some point, a state that does not exist. p. 134 of the book
You cannot live in this world with a completely accurate understanding of it. Muddling through, correcting, denying, and straightening are all part of our journey. Lowell said in the quartet: "Man cannot bring a large volume of reality to light." This is true. So what strategies do we employ to build a life in this world on a foundation that is not too difficult for us? This can be regarded as a kind of distortion or a kind of inevitable and necessary adaptation. p. 146 of the book
Regarding books: I am not the first person to say that the printing press itself has been a great and forward step in the field of technology. We still have not left it behind. The book is better than the computer in many ways, in that we can easily flip through it, in terms of its portability and its appeal as an object. The book still has the upper hand in all aspects. I have difficulty reading newspaper articles on the computer screen, let alone a book. p. 151 of the book
"Stories have the power to... suddenly fill us with knowledge about the lives of others and tell us of the importance of these lives in the eyes of those who have led such lives. And in this sense, yes, I write to change people." (The Art of the Start, Lyon and Lowell, 1998) p. 160 of the book
Without the slightest hesitation, I testify that literature has changed me and continues to change me. p. 163 of the book

I'm not so impressed.

Perhaps further along the line, I will read more of Wolff.

It seems that what I have read so far hasn't really captured my attention or made a lasting impact.

However, I'm willing to give it another chance and see if there is more depth and substance in the other works of Wolff.

Maybe as I continue to explore, I will discover something that truly intrigues me and changes my initial perception.

For now, I remain somewhat skeptical, but I'm open to the possibility of being pleasantly surprised in the future.

Who knows, perhaps the next piece by Wolff will be the one that finally makes me a fan.

Only time will tell.

The story "The Thief of Bagdad" is a good one, but its drawback is that it is very short. In my opinion, if it were longer and the author gave more details and branches to the story, it would be more attractive. A translator has placed one of Tobias Wolff's interviews at the end of the book, which is very good and makes you familiar with the writing style of Tolstoy, Chekhov, and the ethics of Raymond Carver.

This short story has the potential to be a great one if it were expanded. The limited length may not allow the readers to fully immerse themselves in the story and understand the characters and their motives. By adding more details, the author could create a more vivid and engaging world for the readers.

The interview at the end of the book is a great addition as it provides insights into the writing process and the influences of different authors. It also gives the readers a chance to learn more about the translator and his work. Overall, "The Thief of Bagdad" is a good story that could be even better with some expansion and more in-depth exploration of the themes and characters.

Hay novelas, en este caso novelas cortas, que cuentan algo más o menos cotidiano. Sin embargo, en esa cotidaneidad y en la forma en que está contado, se encuentra lo extraordinario.

Así es el caso de "Ladrón de cuarteles", un relato sencillo en su estructura. No nos relata otra cosa que la vida de una familia, cómo un divorcio afecta de manera diferente a sus hijos y el camino que toma el mayor de ellos. También nos cuenta de las personas con las que se junta cuando toma la determinación de alistarse como voluntario en el ejército.

Lo cierto es que la obra se puede leer en una tarde. Y, como decía antes, sin contar nada muy especial, uno no puede parar de leerla. Esto se debe a que, de un modo u otro, los personajes generan interés y, en este caso, la sencillez narrativa se convierte en virtud.

No había leído nada de Tobias Wolff antes, pero si tuviera que compararlo con alguien, me ha recordado mucho a Carver o Salinger en su técnica narrativa y en lo que son capaces de generar en el lector.

Ingeniously plotted, unfortunately packaged.

It's truly a great story that features some extremely fascinating narrative turns. However, it's just that - a story - along with some additional content.

The book has a mere 101 pages, and with the large print, it makes the $13.95 price tag seem like a complete joke.

I don't view myself as a miser, but seriously? $13.95? It's a capital R Fucking Ripoff.

My advice is to borrow it instead. You can easily finish the story in one relatively long sitting.

That way, you can enjoy the engaging plot without having to pay an exorbitant price for what is essentially a short read.

Don't waste your money on this overpriced book when you can get the same experience by borrowing it from a library or a friend.

Save your hard-earned cash for something that is truly worth the price.

A careful man, I am, deeply addicted to comfort, always having an eye for the safe course.

Yet, there are moments when I recall that day, and the sensation of being a reckless man in the company of reckless friends. I think of Lewis before he turned into a thief and Hubbard before he became a deserter. And myself before I became a good neighbor. Three men armed with rifles.

This is an incredibly awesome little tragic book that it's nearly impossible not to finish in one sitting. Tobias is truly an outstanding writer and a master at telling stories about humanity. I firmly believe that no one could ever accuse him of exaggerating a scene, as this gives every emotion, both subtle and blatant, an intense power.

Here are some more of my favorite lines:

He was a man who had constantly shifted from one thing to another, from place to place, job to job, and even, since his marriage, from woman to woman. But when he sat in the darkness between his two sleeping sons, he felt no inclination to move.

Getting hurt was simply a choice that some people made, similar to bad luck or growing old.

"That’s tragic,” I said, a word used in my family for all deaths, and the moment it left my mouth, I regretted it. I didn't know then that it is almost insurmountable to talk to others about their own suffering.

His face was in a state of turmoil. It was a face I’d never truly witnessed before, filled with humiliation and fear, and I have never ceased to see it since. It is the same face I saw on the Vietnamese we interrogated, whose homes we searched and sometimes burned. It is the face that has become my brother’s face throughout all the tribulations of his life.

Philip Bishop grows up in Seattle, living with his single mother, younger brother, and an itinerant father. Restless by nature, he makes the decision to join the army in 1967. The story simply narrates the life of this young man from a broken home. He goes to jump school at Ft Bragg and awaits his orders to Vietnam.

During his time at Ft Bragg, he develops a friendship with two other boys. However, this relationship soon falls apart. As he waits, a thief emerges among the troops, stealing from his fellow soldiers. The story then explores the reactions to these thefts. In true Wolff style, the perspective switches halfway through, giving us an insight into the motivations of the thief himself.

I really like the way Wolff seamlessly transitions from one momentous scene to the next without confusing the reader. The narrative pacing is similar to that of a suspense novel, with its strange, funny, yet very human characterizations. The writing is crystal clear. I love how Wolff allows his works to unfold naturally. Despite its appearance of being loose, it is actually a very tightly structured novel. In it, we encounter a variety of situations involving a variety of characters, including a prostitute whom I haven't even mentioned here.

The only drawback for me was that when the theft was solved, we only get a brief glimpse of what happens to these three characters. I really wanted to know more about their future, where they were headed and what would become of them. In my opinion, the ending came too suddenly. Nevertheless, "The Barracks Thief" is a great read and I highly recommend it.

An odd little book indeed. I've been spending some time with it, still mulling it over.

At first glance, its appearance might not seem all that remarkable. But as I delved deeper into its pages, I discovered a world of strange ideas and unique perspectives.

The author's writing style is both engaging and somewhat perplexing. It makes me question my own beliefs and assumptions.

Each chapter presents a new concept or story that leaves me with more questions than answers.

Despite its oddness, there's something about this book that keeps drawing me back. I find myself constantly thinking about it, even when I'm not reading.

I'm not sure if I fully understand it yet, but I'm determined to keep trying. Maybe with each reread, I'll uncover something new and gain a better appreciation for this odd little book.

Tobias Wolff has the fortune to draw inspiration from the works of E. B. White and Raymond Carver and stand on the shoulders of giants. From a Muslim teacher of short story writing, one can expect that the story will be told in a highly standard and clean manner.

The name of the book well indicates its content. However, it is up to the reader to step across the border between self-awareness and unawareness in the midst of the first-person narrative and the overall knowledge of the story.

Wolff's writing style is known for its simplicity and clarity, yet it manages to convey profound emotions and complex themes. His stories often explore the human condition, the struggles and joys of everyday life, and the search for meaning and purpose.

Reading Wolff's works is like taking a journey into the hearts and minds of his characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows, and learning from their mistakes and successes. It is a truly enriching and rewarding experience.

A group of young men in the Army were striving to be "real men" as per their own perception of that definition. This story was set several decades ago, yet its essence remains relevant forever. It serves as a remarkable lesson in story craftsmanship, courtesy of a great American writer. The young soldiers, filled with youthful vigor and a desire to prove themselves, embarked on a journey that would test their mettle and challenge their preconceived notions of manhood. Through their experiences, we witness their growth and transformation, as they learn valuable lessons about courage, sacrifice, and the true meaning of being a man. The writer skillfully weaves a tale that engages the reader from start to finish, using vivid descriptions and well-developed characters to bring the story to life. This is not just a story about a group of soldiers; it is a story about the human condition and the universal struggle to find one's place in the world.

Racconto lungo sulla difficile età di passaggio dell'adolescenza narrata dal punto di vista di tre ragazzi in procinto di partire per la guerra del Vietnam. This story delves deep into the complex emotions and experiences of these young men as they stand on the brink of a life-altering event.

A questa situazione-limite di per sé si aggiungono gli eccessi, il desiderio di auto-affermazione, le piccole manie di onnipotenza tipici dell'età che precede la piena maturità. The excessive behaviors, the longing for self-assertion, and the little manias of omnipotence typical of the age before full maturity are added to this already extreme situation. It showcases the turmoil and confusion that adolescence brings, compounded by the impending war.

Wolff tratteggia in maniera efficace il costante e crescente senso di pericolo, di tragedia imminente, quasi volesse raccontare la storia di tre vite che corrono lungo un filo sottilissimo che separa la normalità da un'esistenza perduta. Wolff effectively sketches the constant and growing sense of danger, of imminent tragedy, as if he wants to tell the story of three lives running along a very thin thread that separates normality from a lost existence. The reader can almost feel the tension and the fear that these boys are experiencing.

Bello, ma non paragonabile ai racconti presenti nella raccolta intitolata "Proprio quella notte". It is beautiful, but not comparable to the stories present in the collection titled "Just That Night". While this story has its own merits, the stories in the other collection may offer a different perspective or a more profound exploration of certain themes.

The story was engaging and enjoyable. It had a good start and the change of narrators, in my opinion, was a new and interesting idea. However, one point that came to my mind was that it was more like a short story that had been lengthened. Especially the end of the story, which I almost skipped; I was expecting more detailed explanations and expansions of the characters and the plot so that I could read. I feel that many things were just mentioned and not given enough attention, which reminds me of the form of a short story. But overall, I liked it. By the way, the final interview with Tobias Wolff was also very appealing to me and I will definitely refer back to it and read it again in the future.

The translation and the exterior specifications of the book were also very good.

(April 2020)