Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Essential Cheever

john cheever meryl streep benjamin cheever ben cheever

... Show More
One Great Author. One Great CD.

Here are two magnificent stories in which John Cheever celebrates—with unequaled grace and tenderness—the deepest feelings we have.

As Cheever wrote, "These stories seem at times to be stories of a long-lost world when the city of New York was still filled with a river light, when you heard the Benny Goodman quartets from a radio in the corner stationery store, and when almost everybody wore a hat."

416 pages, Audio CD

First published July 25,2006

This edition

Format
416 pages, Audio CD
Published
July 25, 2006 by Caedmon
ISBN
9780061126468
ASIN
0061126462
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for john cheever

john cheever

... Show More
John Cheever was an American novelist and short story writer, sometimes called "the Chekhov of the suburbs" or "the Ovid of Ossining." His fiction is mostly set in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the suburbs of Westchester, New York, and old New England villages based on various South Shore towns around Quincy, Massachusetts, where he was born.

His main themes include the duality of human nature: sometimes dramatized as the disparity between a character's decorous social persona and inner corruption, and sometimes as a conflict between two characters (often brothers) who embody the salient aspects of both--light and dark, flesh and spirit. Many of his works also express a nostalgia for a vanishing way of life, characterized by abiding cultural traditions and a profound sense of community, as opposed to the alienating nomadism of modern suburbia.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 15 votes)
5 stars
4(27%)
4 stars
7(47%)
3 stars
4(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
15 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Thornemo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
So, there is really nothing remarkable to be found here. It's not terrible, but it's far from being good either.

You might have heard people claim that Streep's reading of the first story is simply wonderful. However, that is not the case at all.

You may have also read somewhere that "The Swimmer" is a masterpiece and even better than all the seasons of "Mad Men" combined. But let me tell you, it is not. In fact, it's just plain crap.

Moreover, Cheever's reading is not only painful but also rushed. It fails to capture the essence and beauty that the story might have had.

Therefore, I would highly recommend giving this a big miss. There are far better literary works and readings out there that are worth your time and attention.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
RadicalSanta
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This was my very first encounter with Cheever's works. The two stories included on this CD were truly excellent.

They both possessed a remarkable intensity that held my attention firmly. I was initially attracted to this audiobook because the stories were being read by Streep and Cheever.

However, I must admit that Streep's narration had its drawbacks. At times, her voice became a little shrill when she was trying to articulate some of the characters, which slightly detracted from the overall experience.

Moreover, Cheever himself does not have a particularly clear voice. As a result, he is not really well-suited for narration.

Given these observations, the next time I decide to explore Cheever's stories, I will definitely opt for the print version. This way, I can fully immerse myself in the written words and form my own interpretations without the distractions caused by the less-than-perfect narration.

I believe that reading the stories in print will allow me to appreciate Cheever's literary talent more deeply and gain a better understanding of his unique style and themes.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheRedo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Short stories are a wonderful form of literature. They have the ability to capture a moment, a feeling, or a whole world in just a few pages.


A good short story can transport the reader to another place and time, making them feel as if they are right there with the characters. It can make them laugh, cry, or think deeply about life.


Short stories can be about anything - love, loss, friendship, adventure, or the ordinary moments that make up our lives. They can be written in any style, from the simple and straightforward to the complex and experimental.


Whether you are looking for a quick read to pass the time or a thought-provoking piece of literature to inspire you, short stories have something for everyone. So pick up a collection of short stories today and discover the magic within.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TetraKiss
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Fantastic stories have the potential to transport us to otherworldly realms and ignite our imaginations. However, when it comes to the audio version, it is a great disappointment. The reading is very poorly done.

The narrator fails to bring the characters and the情节 to life. The tone is flat, and the pacing is inconsistent. It seems as if the narrator is simply reading the words without any understanding or passion for the story.

As a result, the listening experience is rather dull and unengaging. We are unable to fully immerse ourselves in the world of the story and feel the emotions that the author intended.

It is a shame that such great stories are let down by a subpar audio performance. With a more skilled and passionate narrator, these stories could have been truly captivating and enjoyable to listen to.

Hopefully, in the future, the audio versions of these fantastic stories will be redone with a narrator who can do justice to the material and bring the stories to life in a more vivid and engaging way.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
OctupletsPowah
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I cannot recall ever reading a short story that I really liked.

True to form, I did not really like either of these two short stories. The first one seemed to lack a clear plot. It meandered along without a distinct direction, leaving me confused and unengaged. The characters were also rather one-dimensional, failing to draw me into their lives.

The second short story had a more interesting premise, but it was poorly executed. The writing was choppy and the pacing was off. It felt as if the author was in a hurry to get to the end, without taking the time to develop the story properly.

In conclusion, I remain unimpressed by short stories. I find them to be too often lacking in the depth and complexity that I look for in a good piece of literature. Maybe one day I will come across a short story that will change my mind, but until then, I will continue to prefer longer works.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
tommthecommie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
In my American Lit. class, I was required to read "The Swimmer" by Cheever.

At first glance, it seems like a simple tale of a man who decides to swim in each of his neighbors' swimming pools. However, as the story progresses, it reveals itself to be a masterfully crafted piece filled with metaphors and hidden meanings at every turn.

The way Cheever weaves these elements together is truly remarkable. It makes the story not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

I found myself completely engrossed in the narrative, eager to discover what would happen next and how the various metaphors would unfold.

This short story has left a lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the depths of literature.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Saphy_Potters
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
John Cheever is indeed a remarkable writer, and "The Five Forty Eight" is a prime example of his talent. This simple yet captivating short story manages to engage the reader's imagination despite lacking a traditional, dramatic event or complex story line.

The story begins with the line, "When Blake stepped out of the elevator, he saw her," immediately introducing us to the two main characters, Blake and Miss Dent. At first glance, Miss Dent seems to be the negative and perhaps even evil character. However, upon further reflection, we can see the coldness and meanness within Blake. As Miss Dent's superior, he took advantage of her, using her as a sex object and then callously firing her without a hint of remorse. This is one way to view the situation.

On the other hand, Miss Dent is clearly unstable and has her own faults. She takes Blake hostage, which is a serious act. But looking at it from her perspective, we can understand her pain and desperation. As Aristotle said, the truth often lies in the middle.

Blake is described as an insignificant man, and not only that, he is also insensitive. When Miss Dent weeps after they have supposedly made love, he couldn't care less.

Miss Dent shows up on the "Five Forty Eight" train with a gun in her hand. This is a tense and serious moment, but it turns out she only wants to talk to Blake. To avoid spoiling the story for you, I will stop here. I found myself feeling more sorry for Miss Dent than for Blake, even though at times she may have gone off the rails. Life seems to have been unkind to her, and all she really wanted was a little love.

This story can be found at http://youngnycwriters.tumblr.com/pos...
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Claimed_Dude
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Listening to stories is truly worth it. Stories have the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to a diverse range of characters, and expose us to various emotions and experiences. They can expand our imagination, enhance our empathy, and provide valuable lessons and insights. Whether it's a fictional tale that entertains and engages us or a true story that inspires and motivates us, there is always something to gain from listening to stories.


Moreover, stories can be a great way to relax and unwind. After a long and tiring day, sitting down and listening to a captivating story can help us forget about our stress and worries and enter a state of pure enjoyment. They can also be a wonderful source of entertainment for people of all ages, from children who love to be entertained by fairy tales and adventure stories to adults who appreciate more complex and thought-provoking narratives.


In conclusion, listening to stories is a worthwhile activity that offers numerous benefits. It can enrich our lives, broaden our perspectives, and bring us joy and relaxation. So, the next time you have the opportunity to listen to a story, don't hesitate to do so. You might be surprised at how much you'll enjoy it and how much it will impact you.

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.