Cheever's early stories are a remarkable collection that offers a unique insight into the human condition. These 13 stories展现了他卓越的叙事技巧和对生活细节的敏锐捕捉。

Each story is a microcosm of life, filled with complex characters and their struggles. Cheever's writing style is细腻而生动, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The stories range from tales of love and loss to explorations of the human psyche.

One of the most striking aspects of these early stories is Cheever's ability to convey deep emotions with simplicity. He has a talent for making the ordinary seem extraordinary, and for finding beauty and meaning in the everyday. Through his words, we are able to see the world from a different perspective and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.

Overall, Cheever's early stories are a must-read for anyone interested in great literature. They are a testament to his talent as a writer and a valuable addition to the literary canon.

A Slow Start with a Captivating Finish

I had a rather slow start when delving into this book. However, as I continued to read, I found myself increasingly immersed in the stories.

It delved deeply into the world of horse racing and the unique culture that surrounded it during the 1930s. The author vividly描绘了 the excitement and anticipation that filled the air at the racetracks, as well as the complex web of emotions that the sport could evoke.

We witnessed the joys of victory, with jockeys and trainers celebrating their hard-earned triumphs. But there were also the sorrows of defeat, the heartbreak of a horse that didn't perform as expected, and the financial losses that could follow.

Despite its relatively short length, this book was a nifty little read that managed to pack a punch. It offered a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era and a sport that has always held a special place in the hearts of many. By the end, I was thoroughly engaged and left with a newfound appreciation for the world of horse racing.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read that I would recommend to anyone interested in history, sports, or simply a good story.

I am truly happy that I had the opportunity to read it.

It is truly remarkable to be able to envision the future of a genius.

Even at this early stage, his special spark is already evident, although it is still in its infancy.

One can only imagine the great things that this individual will achieve as he continues to grow and develop.

His unique qualities and abilities are sure to set him apart and make a significant impact in the world.

It is exciting to think about the possibilities and the potential that lies within him.

As we observe his progress, we can look forward to seeing his genius unfold and reach its full potential.

I have long been of the opinion that John Cheever was truly the master of the short story.

His stories frequently delved into the themes of discordance and alienation among family members or the changing nature of life.

These early stories of his vividly demonstrate the evolution of his writing craft.

Collected in chronological order, the first story was published in 1931 when he was a mere 19 years old, and the collection extends until 1949.

By this time, one can begin to identify the writing style that would later make him famous in the 50s and 60s.

The early stories, though very much of their time and written during the Great Depression, had a distinct tone compared to his later works, which often centered around suburban angst.

I was quite surprised to find that a few of the stories were written from a female's perspective.

Both "Bayonne" and "The Man She Loved" offered profound insights into a woman's plight.

"Family Dinner" provided a poignant examination of the importance of keeping up appearances, while "Saratoga" contained fascinating character studies.

While I might not necessarily recommend this collection to the average short story reader, for fans of Cheever, it is an extremely worthwhile read.

I did not enjoy this at all.

The stories presented simply don't make sense.

There seems to be no coherent point or message that I could discern.

It's as if they were randomly put together without any thought or purpose.

The lack of logic and flow makes it difficult to engage with the content.

I found myself constantly confused and uninterested.

There were no elements that captured my attention or made me want to continue reading.

In conclusion, this was a very disappointing experience and I would not recommend it to others.

I had been completely let down by the collected works of Mavis Gallant. As a result, I was extremely hesitant when it came to picking up the collected works of Cheever. However, when I came across this smaller collection, it appeared to be a relatively safe risk that didn't require a huge commitment on my part.

To my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be truly terrific stuff. The stories were engaging, well-written, and full of depth. They managed to capture the essence of human nature and the complexities of life in a way that was both thought-provoking and entertaining.

After reading this smaller collection, I am now certain that at some point in the future, I will definitely be picking up the full collected works of Cheever. I am eager to explore more of his writing and see what other gems he has to offer. It just goes to show that sometimes, taking a chance on something new can lead to wonderful discoveries.

Just couldn't put it down!

This book was truly captivating from start to finish.

If this is considered to be his "embryonic phase" as a writer, I can hardly wait to read what critics call his best works!

The author's writing style in this early piece shows great promise and potential.

The storylines are engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the descriptions are vivid.

It makes me eager to explore more of his literary offerings.

I have a feeling that his best works will be even more outstanding and will leave a lasting impression on me.

I'm already looking forward to getting my hands on those highly acclaimed masterpieces and experiencing the full range of his creative genius.

It’s a nice quick read that offers an engaging experience. At times, it felt more like the writing style of Hemingway than that of Cheever. The简洁明了的表达方式 and the directness of the叙述 make it a captivating read.

My favorites were several stories within the collection. “Bock Beer and Bermuda Onions” stood out for its独特的情节 and the way it explored the人性的复杂性. “Bayonne” was another highlight, with its vivid描绘 of a place and the emotions it evoked. And “His Young Wife” was a story that tugged at the heartstrings,展现了爱情与婚姻的种种面貌.

Overall, this collection of stories provides a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy short fiction.

Good,

only because there is a red-handed fanny notion in this. Ar har.

He writes okay. He is, um, proliferate. This statement seems rather cryptic and perhaps a bit odd. It's not entirely clear what is meant by "a red-handed fanny notion." Maybe it's some sort of inside joke or a very unique concept that the speaker is trying to convey. However, the fact that he writes okay and is described as "proliferate" gives the impression that he is quite productive in his writing. He may be churning out a lot of work, but it's not clear if the quality is consistent. Overall, this brief description leaves a lot of room for interpretation and further exploration of this person's writing abilities and the nature of this mysterious "red-handed fanny notion."

Cheever is undoubtedly one of the great American writers of the twentieth century. His works are truly a pleasure to read. His writing style is unique, filled with vivid descriptions and profound insights into human nature. Each of his stories seems to transport the reader into a different world, a world that is both familiar and yet full of surprises.

His characters are complex and multi-dimensional, making them relatable and engaging. Whether it's the struggles of a middle-class family or the inner turmoil of an individual, Cheever has a way of bringing these stories to life in a way that is both powerful and moving.

Reading Cheever is like taking a journey through the American psyche, exploring the hopes, dreams, and fears of a nation. His works are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving the reader with a deeper understanding of the human condition. It is no wonder that he is considered one of the masters of American literature.

This is a truly fascinating exploration into the beginnings of a master storyteller. It serves as a significant footnote in an otherwise amazing career, revealing what could have been. Cheever, at the age of 19 (when most of this collection was penned), had the sense to quickly recognize his own stifled creativity as he emulated his literary hero.

What initially started as a few, almost mimeographed copies (after all, this was 1936) of Hemingway's tough and terse prose voice, transformed more rapidly than one could scarcely believe. Joycean sentences began to infuse a subtle flavor, and before long, just a baker's dozen tales later, we start to witness the quirky and fully developed characterizations for which Cheever ultimately became renowned.

While some of the stories are, not surprisingly, a bit brisk and thinly realized, others (particularly the last three) are undoubtedly worthy of his Pulitzer Prize-winning collection. This book is more than just a curiosity for Cheever's fans; it rightfully deserves a place in their collection. It is truly remarkable work for such a young man.

The Common Day by John Cheever

In this short story, nothing truly extraordinary occurs. After all, only a raccoon meets its end. This is a valid reason for me to feel a bit unsettled. I don't view the shooting of a raccoon as something insignificant. However, if a man were killed, it might turn the story into a potentially interesting thriller.

There are several moments of tenderness and simple life snapshots. For instance, when a little girl desires real pearls instead of fake ones.

Then there's the strange gardener who reminds me of Chancey, played by the great Peter Sellers. Chancey would go on to become the president of the United States, despite being illiterate. The gardener in The Common Day has no such lofty aspirations or indeed any hope of attaining a high office. He is happy when someone shows interest in his work but becomes angered by Mrs. Garrison, the landlady and his employer, to the point of losing control.

The exchange between them is quite telling. The gardener protests, "I no move the lilies. Why not?" He continues, "You don't know anything, you are no better than me. And I work for you seventeen years." He vents his frustrations about having to struggle with the snow in winter while Mrs. Garrison just gives orders and kills flowers. He even accuses her of killing his wife.

I find myself identifying with Mrs. Garrison, yet without feeling empathy for her. In fact, my sympathy lies with the gardener. But like Mrs. Garrison, I also lack skills and even the interest in tasks like changing a fuse. And to make matters worse, I'm a man.

Something is eating the corn, so they set traps for the intruding animal. I despise this. It's true that a farmer has to survive and may view a raccoon, a wolf, or a boar as a pest. They don't feel any more for these animals than we do for a fly or a mosquito.

I've read an argument by Alex Stefanescu, a funny and interesting critic. He said something like, "if we are serious about not killing animals, we should be consistent and stop killing bugs, flies, and even bacteria." I'm not so sure about the bacteria, but he does have a point.

I'm against the useless killing of animals, like the nearly 20 million mink killed for fur in Denmark, of all places.

My wife and daughter have been vegetarians for fifteen and ten years respectively, and they've influenced me to become one too.

I have to admit that drawing a line can sometimes be difficult. Why do we kill flies but not fish?

Still, I'm very sorry for the raccoon, as its death has marred what was otherwise an enjoyable read.

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