Slight, yet occasionally disjointed, this piece is still in many ways a typical example of Cheever's work. There is an abundance of elements that seem to resolve themselves through happy coincidence. It gives the impression that the story is perhaps a bit too neatly tied up at times. The reader is constantly aware that this is a late and incomplete work. One can sense the potential that lies within it, but also the areas where it may have fallen short due to its unfinished state. Despite these flaws, it still holds the essence of Cheever's unique style and storytelling ability. The disjointedness, rather than detracting from the overall experience, adds a certain charm and authenticity. It makes the reader feel as if they are peeking into a work in progress, getting a rare glimpse into the creative mind of the author.

I mean it was nice toward the end, but only toward the end…

At first glance, the story seems to have some appealing elements.

I liked the romantic love mixed with the love of nature. It gives the reader a sense of a harmonious and beautiful world.

The protagonist seems to enjoy love in general, which makes the character relatable to a certain extent.

However, because Cheever tried to write about both love and nature simultaneously, it seems to be missing depth in both parts.

The exploration of romantic love could have been more profound, delving into the emotions and conflicts that come with it.

Similarly, the description of the love of nature could have been more detailed, painting a more vivid picture of the natural world.

Overall, the story had the potential to be a great one, but it fell short in achieving that.

It could have been better if more attention had been paid to developing each aspect fully.

This novella appears to lack a specific focus.

A clear pond near a small village in upstate New York is being misused as a dumping ground, perhaps by mafiosi. An elderly, lustful man who enjoys skating on the pond decides to take action and stop the dumping. However, the issue I have with this story lies in its narrative style.

Although the main characters are related to the pond - our lecherous old timer Lemuel Sears, a woman who lives next door to the mafia family responsible for the dumping, and an ineffective and lonely environmentalist - the events that Cheever chooses to describe have little to do with saving the pond.

Consequently, the "paradise" mentioned in the title is only incidentally saved in relation to the main "action" of the novel, if it can even be called that. This action primarily revolves around Sears' strange, on-again-off-again relationship with a flighty divorcee and his discovery of his own latent bisexuality.

A secondary plot, if it can be considered as such, involves Betsy, the neighbor of the semi-connected mafia family, and her frustrations with her neighbors. A tertiary plot details the sad life of Chisolm, the reluctant environmentalist.

It is challenging to embrace the jovial tone that the narrator adopts when the characters, especially the protagonist, are not particularly likable.

A story with breathtaking descriptions... But with very contradictory and unempathetic characters. The only one who thanks me is Bettsy, but I don't understand her very well.

The story unfolds like a vivid画卷, filled with details that seem to leap off the page. The landscapes are described in such a way that one can almost feel the gentle breeze or the scorching heat. However, the characters within this story are a different matter entirely.

They are complex and often at odds with themselves. Their actions and words seem to lack any real sense of empathy or understanding for others. It's as if they are living in their own little worlds, oblivious to the impact they have on those around them.

And yet, among all of this, there is Bettsy. She is the only one who shows me any gratitude. But despite this, I still find myself struggling to truly understand her. What motivates her? What are her hopes and dreams?

Perhaps as the story progresses, I will gain a deeper insight into the minds and hearts of these characters. But for now, I am left with more questions than answers.

I was well aware that I should ignore the blurbs from authors. There could be various reasons for their praise. They might share a publisher or agent with the subject of their rhapsodies. Maybe they wanted to boost their own profiles by being associated with other well-known works and showing up on their covers. Or they might present themselves as authorities on writing, or simply engage in a bit of logrolling. However, this particular book taught me an even more important lesson - to also ignore critics. It turns out that Cheever was known to be on his deathbed when this book was published, and no one wanted to be the one to give him a less than kind sendoff. I should have taken the hint from the publisher of "Cheever: Complete Novels". The flap-copy writer had written long, enthusiastic paragraphs about the Wapshot books and such. But then, somewhat grudgingly, added that "'Oh What a Paradise It Seems' (1982), the novella that concludes the volume, is a tale of a May-December romance that also sounds an elegiac note of protest against the degradation of the environment."

This brings to mind a quote from George Orwell. In "Confessions of a Book Reviewer", he wrote that the job "not only involves praising trash... but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feelings whatever."

Anyway, the flap does describe the plot accurately, although using the word "elegiac" might be a bit of an overstatement.

Cheever supuestamente transmitió soledad, amor y la propia existencia de la sucia humanidad.

His works were often filled with complex characters who struggled with their inner demons and the harsh realities of life.

Cheever's writing style was细腻 and profound, allowing readers to deeply understand the emotions and experiences of his characters.

Through his stories, he explored themes such as loneliness, love, and the search for meaning in a world that often seemed cruel and indifferent.

His works not only entertained but also made readers reflect on their own lives and the human condition.

Cheever's contribution to literature is significant, and his works continue to be read and studied today.

The imam had mixed feelings about this book. It made me nervous while I was reading it, but I like the atmosphere and the messages it conveys.

The feeling that overwhelmed him at that moment was a feeling of extreme privilege, a huge advantage that we enjoy because we live here and can rejuvenate ourselves with love. It really resembled paradise!

This book seems to have a certain charm that keeps pulling the reader in. The nervousness I felt might be due to the anticipation of what's coming next, or perhaps it was the deep emotions and complex themes that it explores.

The atmosphere created within the pages is both captivating and immersive. It allows the reader to step into a different world and experience the story as if it were happening right before their eyes.

The messages it conveys are profound and thought-provoking. They make us reflect on our own lives, our relationships, and the choices we make.

Overall, this book has left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more of its pages in the future.

Humoristisch boekje met een vrij absurd verhaal. Het gaat over een oude man die op zoek is naar liefde. Daarnaast is er ook een milieuzaak in het verhaal. Er zijn leuke observaties van menselijk gedrag, wat het boekje leuk maakt om te lezen. Maar soms is de ontwikkeling van gebeurtenissen zo vreemd dat je opnieuw moet lezen om het allemaal te vatten.

The book is a humorous little one with a rather absurd story. It's about an old man who is looking for love. Besides that, there is also an environmental issue in the story. There are nice observations of human behavior, which makes the book fun to read. But sometimes the development of events is so strange that you have to read it again to understand it all.

If it weren't for Cheever, perhaps I would be less generous.

"It Seemed Like Paradise" (which had different titles in previous editions: "A True Paradise" for Garzanti and "It Really Seems Like Being in Paradise" for Fandango) is well-written, but more than a story, it seems like a drawer of leftover phrases from other stories on which the writer has embroidered a rather dull story. This impression is strengthened by some phrases that caught my eye (in such a slim book, the opposite would have been strange...).

Among the 10 quotations I saved, I'll report 4 here to clarify what I mean:

- He was old enough to remember the illusion of traveling by airship.

- He belonged to a generation and a social class that considered wearing an overcoat as a last desperate measure.

- He belonged to the generation for which the air was almost always full of music.

- She was one of those women for whom the nostalgia for a destiny, a calling, is stronger than any satisfaction.

Nice phrases, huh, but stuffed into 100 pages, they seem like variations of only one idea, especially since that idea is not much. The story is patched together, disjointed, hardly breathes at all, the characters come in, go out, without even asking permission.

It must be said: a minor film by the Coen brothers could come out of it.

In the end, when everything seems lost, a small hope begins to grow until it achieves a not so bitter ending. Old age is tremendous, and the awareness of it is even worse. This comes to an end, and the need for a last and young love becomes an obsession. The demonstration that amorous conquest is possible. Even if it is a frivolous woman. Everything ends. And everything begins with a new and unforeseen relationship. Cheever leaves his literary testament in a short and luminous novel, he who left his best words in hundreds of intense, dark, and sad stories.

Old age can be a difficult time, filled with regrets and a sense of loss. But sometimes, a glimmer of hope can appear, giving us the strength to keep going. In this case, the hope is in the form of a new love, a chance to start over and experience something new. Cheever's novel explores this theme beautifully, showing how even in the face of old age and its challenges, love can still find a way.

The idea of an unforeseen relationship adds an element of excitement and mystery to the story. We don't know what will happen next, and that keeps us engaged and interested. Cheever's writing is masterful, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their emotions. We feel their pain, their longing, and their hope, and we are rooting for them until the very end.

This is the tragicomic story of how a small lake was saved thanks to the old Sears, a pure-hearted environmentalist, and a tough young woman.

But, above all, it is the story of Sears: politically incorrect, sexually indecisive, naive, hilarious, salacious, poetic. Sharp and irreverent.

Sears was a complex character. He had his flaws, but he also had a good heart. His actions, although sometimes unconventional, ultimately led to the salvation of the lake.

The environmentalist, with his pure intentions, was the driving force behind the effort to save the lake. He worked tirelessly, despite facing many obstacles.

The young woman, on the other hand, was the one who brought a sense of determination and practicality to the situation. Her toughness and resourcefulness were crucial in getting the job done.

Together, these three unlikely heroes managed to achieve something remarkable. They proved that, with a little bit of courage, a lot of heart, and a willingness to think outside the box, anything is possible.

This story is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the world, no matter how small our actions may seem.

John Cheever’s final book presents an odd and somewhat chaotic novella.

It combines the tale of a wealthy yet foolish man’s pursuit of a young woman with the account of the destruction of the pond where he skates during winter, and much more is packed into this relatively small space.

The novella’s peculiarity, along with Cheever’s always remarkable prose, held my interest for a significant period. However, it seemed that Cheever was not as at ease with the pond story, which grew increasingly crucial as the narrative progressed.

Overall, it is a most enjoyable curiosity that leaves the reader with a sense of both intrigue and a touch of confusion.

Despite its flaws, the novella showcases Cheever’s unique talent for creating complex and engaging stories that blend the ordinary with the extraordinary.

It is a fitting end to his literary career, and one that will surely be studied and debated by scholars and fans alike for years to come.