Might hit too close if you’re a man that does not handle social interaction in a normal manner and that is a bit neurotic.

This statement seems to suggest that there is something in particular that could have a profound impact on such an individual. Perhaps it is a story, a situation, or an idea that touches on the very core of their being.

Like the existentialist progression, which explores the deeper meaning and purpose of human existence. The epilogue shows how this last book of the author's life was very much about the end of his own journey.

It could be that the author was reflecting on his own experiences, his relationships, and his place in the world. Maybe he was grappling with the same issues that this man who struggles with social interaction and neurosis is facing.

In this way, the book becomes a mirror, reflecting back the reader's own fears, hopes, and insecurities. It forces them to confront their own mortality and the meaning of their lives.

Whether or not this is a positive or negative experience depends on the individual. Some may find it liberating, while others may find it overwhelming. But one thing is certain: it will leave an indelible mark on their psyche.

What I can see of the sky is a beautiful shade of blue.

It stretches out before me, vast and无尽, as if inviting me to lose myself in its expanse.

The color is so vivid and clear that it seems to be a painting created by nature herself.

The smell of mint is very strong around me.

It fills the air, refreshing and invigorating my senses.

Every time I take a deep breath, I can feel the cool and fragrant essence of mint penetrate my lungs, bringing a sense of calm and relaxation.

In addition, I hear the music of water.

The gentle sound of flowing water is like a soft melody, soothing and comforting to my ears.

It seems to be telling a story of nature's beauty and tranquility, making me forget all the troubles and worries in the world.

Together, these three elements - the blue sky, the strong smell of mint, and the music of water - create a harmonious and enchanting scene that makes me feel truly at peace with nature.

He skated and skated. The pleasure of fleetness seemed, as she had said, divine. Swinging down a long stretch of black ice gave Sears a sense of homecoming. At long last, after a cold and long journey, he was returning to a place where his name was known and loved, where lamps burned in the rooms and fires crackled in the hearths. It seemed to Sears that all the skaters glided over the ice with the happy conviction that they were on their way home. Home might be an empty room and an empty bed for many of them, including Sears, but the act of swinging over the black ice convinced Sears that he was on his way home.

I had a strong desire to read a short, easily accessible (that is, a free download from the New York Public Library) novel by a mature writer. Someone who was long past the arrogance or ignorance of showing off, someone who would be bored by painstakingly crafting convoluted sentences that demanded multiple readings to understand, someone who respected the craft and used it to tell a story, someone who knew that less is more and that complicated stories told simply are a thing of beauty and can convey great complexity. And even better, something funny.

“As we watch Sears put his genitals into his trousers it is worth observing the look on his face. Sears was a thoughtful man and there was no effrontery or arrogance here, but he seemed to enjoy something very like authority, as if this most commonplace organ, possessed by every other man on the planet, were some singular treasure, such as the pen that was used for signing the Treaty of Versailles, robbing Bulgaria of Macedonia, giving her Aegean coast to Greece, creating several new quarrelsome nations in the Balkans, expatriating and leaving homeless large populations, giving Poland a corridor to the Baltic and sowing the seeds for future discord and war. Putting his genitals into his trousers Sears seemed to think he was handling history.”

Fortunately, I found John Cheever’s Oh What a Paradise It Seems. What a relief.

I have a great fondness for Cheever.

My acquaintance with the influential fiction writers of the previous century is rather limited, and they often seem more pessimistic or stark than affirmative.

Cheever, however, has elements of their spirit yet infuses his own form of belief in beauty and goodness, which holds greater significance for him than depression and absurdity.

I was particularly drawn to this passage: “Two twenty-four [interstate] was a convergence of six- and eight-lane highways that made her think with longing of the simplicity of their day on the beach, when there was nothing more difficult to comprehend than blue sky and salt water. All the converging highways and the gathering whiplike noise of traffic made her wonder — foolishly, she well knew — if modern life with its emphasis on highways had not robbed men and women of some intrinsic beauty that the world possessed.”

This description vividly portrays the contrast between the simplicity of a beach day and the complexity and chaos of modern highways.

It makes one reflect on how our modern lives, with their focus on speed and connectivity, might be causing us to lose touch with the natural beauty and simplicity that once existed.

Cheever's words here serve as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

From time to time, I feel the urge to read some 500-page or more novels. Every year, there are some thousand-page ones if I'm lucky. But I know full well that it is in the short novels, those around a hundred pages, where I truly expand and feel at home. It is the encounter between the concentration of the narrative and the variety and depth of the novel. This book by John Cheever attests to that. I finished it early yesterday morning. I just couldn't put it down until I reached the end.

The truth is that I picked it up a bit randomly, not knowing much about the context of the book within the author's body of work, only because the plot interested me and I wanted to start with something by John Cheever. And it turns out that it was the last work he published in his lifetime. A few weeks later, cancer took his life. In the prologue, Rodrigo Fresán contextualizes what John Cheever's life was like in general at that time. He had left his tumultuous life behind and seemed to have reconciled with life. Despite his health problems, his fondness for emptying bottles of alcohol and having very tumultuous sexual affairs with both men and women were things of the past.
That harmonious spirit that is perceived in the general tone of "This Is the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is an ecological novel from 1982 that seemed to me as if Denis Johnson had taken the plot of "The Lost Notebook" by Evan Dara and rewritten it in his own way. In that way, although we understand that life in that quiet town called Janice is not exactly idyllic, strange things are beating beneath its surface and an environmental catastrophe is forming in the local lake. Cheever treats it with an admirable mastery of the tragicomic, with frankly funny situations, an ironic tone in many passages, but ultimately also with a lot of empathy for his characters.
What catches my attention is the structure. It would be a novel composed of several stories, which is conventional in long novels, only that Cheever unravels the junctions so that this composition is noticeable, which in my opinion gives it richness. By changing the point of view and situations, a mosaic is created through which life in Janice acquires vitality. From the Buy Brite supermarket, the barber who kills his dog, the desperate psychiatrist, the neighborhood disputes, very everyday things that Cheever's humor and gaze elevate to the category of a microcosm.
The thread that more or less unites these stories is Lemuel Sears, a man of a certain age who loves to skate on ice. Apparently, when he was still working on the manuscript, Cheever sold this novel to his editor simply by saying that it is the story of an older man who likes to skate on ice. It is an image that works quite well to express that the man is still in good shape and although he carries his demons from the past, he does not stop having problems and even discovers new things regarding his sexuality. Around him, a series of characters who are undoubtedly what add the spice to the narration.
It is a very bright book and yet it exposes the mafia practices that approach the daily life of the communities. Cheever documents himself accurately to expose the consequences of toxic waste, the most tortuous business practices or the rhetoric of the most twisted protesters (that's where I remembered "The Lost Notebook" the most). There is not only the notable exercise of Cheever's imagination, his close and mocking gaze, but also he points out what kind of scenarios are formed when companies face the communities.
His combative tone, combined with his cheeky sense of humor, undoubtedly makes it a very rewarding read. I have no idea what the appropriate path is to start reading John Cheever's work. I can only recommend this wonder to all those who want to read it in bed, in an old house, on a stormy night. If you read it, you will undoubtedly shine.

A truly remarkable novella that delves deep into the complex themes of aging, love, lust, and politics. It offers a captivating exploration of the human condition, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their experiences.

The author's descriptions of people are nothing short of extraordinary, as always. With a keen eye for detail and a masterful touch, he brings each character to life, making them feel real and relatable.

We witness the struggles and joys of the aging process, the passionate and often tumultuous nature of love and lust, and the power plays and intrigues of the political world. Through it all, the author weaves a story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.

This novella is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human nature and the many facets of life. It will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

First on my journey of not rating anything anymore. Star ratings are out. Because of this, I feel a need to say at least a little something about everything I read.

Anyway, I ended up really liking this one. Cheever is a rather random writer, but he always manages to connect everything together in a very satisfying way, although not in any way you'd expect. He has a unique ability to make everything feel both profound and ridiculous simultaneously. That tightrope he walks is extremely thin! Also, how can I not love a bisexual narrator? It adds an interesting layer to the story and makes it more relatable and engaging.

I appreciate how Cheever explores different themes and emotions in his writing. His characters are complex and well-developed, and the storylines are often unexpected and thought-provoking. This particular piece had me hooked from the beginning and kept me engaged until the very end. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work and seeing what other surprises he has in store for me.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique and engaging writing. It's not your typical read, but it's definitely worth the time and effort.

Este livro de John Cheever - "Parece Mesmo o Paraíso" é absolutamente desconcertante.

The unique language of the author, his perfect description of the characters and situations, all of it is there, just like in his short stories.

But Cheever is almost surreal in the way he strings together the situations, in how he frames the characters that he presents, some of which don't even "belong to the plot", if this book has a plot...

It is about something simple that the author "unfolds" and that can be summarized in a few words - the struggle of a man to fight the transformation of a lake into a huge garbage dump.

Extremely curious.

Overall, this book offers a captivating and somewhat strange reading experience. The way Cheever constructs the story and develops the characters keeps the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. His use of language adds depth and texture to the narrative, making it a truly memorable work.

Whether you are a fan of Cheever's previous works or new to his writing, "Parece Mesmo o Paraíso" is definitely worth a read. It will challenge your expectations and leave you with a new perspective on the power of literature to explore the human condition.

On a rainy night, in an old house, a story to be read in bed began like this.

However, on a warm morning, in an old-looking from the outside but new inside house, I read this long story on the table. :) Cheever's language is wonderful, and this book also promises a very enjoyable reading.

My only concern is that there are many themes together, and frankly, it's a bit of a jumble. Things like old age, sexuality, homosexuality, parents, neighborliness, and on top of all that, a lawsuit to save a lake that has begun to accumulate sludge is involved.

In this regard, I think it can be considered one of the early examples of eco-critical storytelling, but as far as I can see, I couldn't find much that was written on top of it. The result is a beautiful, enjoyable but crowded 100 pages.

Overall, it's an interesting read that makes you think about various aspects of life and society.

What an odd and melancholic little book.

It is truly a curious piece that leaves one with a sense of confusion and a tinge of sadness.

I'm honestly not quite sure what to make of it.

It seems to have passed by in the blink of an eye, as if it was over before it even began.

The story, if one can call it that, unfolds in a rather strange and disjointed manner.

The characters are somewhat shadowy and lack depth, making it difficult to form a real connection with them.

Yet, there is something about this little book that keeps pulling me back, making me want to try and understand its mysteries.

Perhaps it is the unique atmosphere it creates, or the way it makes me feel a certain way without really knowing why.

Despite its flaws, there is a certain charm to it that I can't quite put my finger on.

It's a book that will stay with me for a while, I think, leaving me with a sense of wonder and a longing for more.

A lot of critics dogged on Cheever's last novel (written while he was dying) as his weakest.

However, I firmly believe they were dead-ass wrong. His sentences remain as crisp and as gorgeous as ever.

In this novel, there is one scene set in a supermarket that is brilliantly satirical in its sendup of consumerism. It deftly ties these consumer rituals in with a hunger for the public agora.

I found myself enjoying much of the ice skating scenes as well. Even though there is a minor sense that Cheever is returning to the dependable New England well rather than spreading his wings further after "Falconer", it doesn't overshadow the overall quality of the work.

All in all, it's a fairly solid novel that showcases Cheever's undeniable talent and literary prowess, despite what some critics may have said.

It's a testament to his ability to create engaging and thought-provoking stories, even in the face of his own mortality.

We should look beyond the initial critiques and give this novel the appreciation it truly deserves.

There were a few moments of brilliance in this work.

For example, some of the descriptions were so vivid that they seemed to leap off the page.

The characters, at times, had a certain charm that made them somewhat engaging.

However, I think overall Cheever is just not for me.

The writing style, while perhaps admired by many, didn't quite resonate with my personal tastes.

There were parts that felt a bit too convoluted or slow-paced for my liking.

Maybe if I had a different literary sensibility or a greater appreciation for the subtleties of Cheever's work, I might have enjoyed it more.

But as it stands, I can't help but feel that it's not a fit for me.

Nevertheless, I can still recognize the talent and artistry that went into creating this piece.

It's just that, in the end, it didn't manage to win me over completely.