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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

The Absolute Master of the Short Story Form!

Off hand, the closest competitors that I can think of would/could be:

...Sarah Vaughn with works like {Able Baker Charley Dog] and {Dog Heaven]. Her stories have a unique charm that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

...Tobias Wolff, known for his精湛的 storytelling skills and ability to create complex and relatable characters.

...Denis Johnson, whose works often explore themes of human nature and the struggles of modern life.

...O'Henry, famous for his surprise endings that leave readers shocked and satisfied.

...Julie Hayden, with her vivid descriptions and engaging plots.

...Sergi Dovlatov, whose stories offer a unique perspective on Russian life and culture.

...Anton Chekhov, a master of the short story form, known for his realistic portrayals of human emotions and relationships.

...Leonard Michaels, whose works are characterized by their sharp wit and incisive social commentary.

...Ian Frazier, with his humorous and engaging writing style.

...Mauve Brennan, whose stories often deal with themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life.

This is a 3.5.

I don't know why there isn't an individual entry for the enormous radio for me to log, but whatever.

Perhaps it's an oversight or a glitch in the system.

It's a bit frustrating not to be able to properly document this particular item.

The enormous radio seems quite significant, and I would have liked to have a dedicated space to record its details.

However, since that option isn't available, I'll just have to make do with this general mention.

Maybe in the future, the logging system will be updated to include such individual entries.

Until then, I'll continue to use the available means to document my experiences and observations.

Despite this minor inconvenience, I'm still excited about the other aspects of this 3.5 and look forward to exploring it further.

This collection contains two short stories: "The Swimmer" and "The Enormous Radio."

I borrowed this from the library mainly to read "The Swimmer." However, after reading it, I felt it was just average.

Conversely, "The Enormous Radio" really caught my attention. It was extremely intriguing and full of suspense.

It made me think of an audio version of Hitchcock's "Rear Window." The way the story unfolds, with the characters' lives being revealed through the radio, is very captivating.

The author does a great job of creating a sense of mystery and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, while "The Swimmer" was a bit of a disappointment, "The Enormous Radio" more than made up for it with its engaging plot and suspenseful atmosphere.

3.5 stars.

I listened to this collection during a single drive.

The first story, "The Enormous Radio," read by Meryl Streep, was truly enjoyable. I would rate it 4 stars. The husband's attitude towards his wife was a fascinating reflection of the period. He treated her almost like a child, and the things he said to her at the end were quite shocking. There was a touch of sci-fi in it that reminded me of a Ray Bradbury short story, but overall, it was firmly in the realm of general fiction.

The second story, "The Swimmer," was a bit more subtle. Perhaps I was distracted while listening, as I had to listen to it a second time to pick up on what I missed. (Hint: Pay attention to what people say to him.) However, it was interesting to hear it read by Cheever himself. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first story. Maybe because, apart from those little hints and the ending, it felt as though not much happened. It is a short story, of course, but I had difficulty picturing everything in my head as I listened. So, for me, it was a 3-star story.

I've listened to several of the Essential series, and all of them have been interesting and given me a good taste of an author's work, usually leaving me wanting to read more by them. Based on this introduction to Cheever, I'm definitely interested in reading more of his work.