Reviews

De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de amor by Raymond Carver

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_abii__'s review against another edition

slow-paced

1.0

The worst two things a book can be is being boring or being nonsensical. This book accomplishes being both.

What we talk about when we talk about love is a collection of short stories about mundane lives and how human beings interact with one another. It’s a great concept to pull you in and unfortunately it undeveloped.

The stories reach nowhere, they present a problem, the characters have a fight about it most of the time, but instead of reaching a conclusion it just ends … and there was no character development, the circumstances didn’t change and the issues remain unresolved. So I ask myself: why does this book exist? I can’t find an answer.

For such a short book with such short stories the book absolutely dragged, it was so boring. And the writing wasn’t the problem, because I did enjoy its simple approach, it’s probably the best thing about the book. It makes sense, when talking about mundane things, the writing matches the pace and the content. My problem was that the plot of the stories were boring, the issues with the characters were boring. The resolve (or lack there of) was boring, the stories blended into one another with no distinct voice. Yes we get it men suck, women are the victims, it’s not love if it’s abuse, give me something more because I’m bored now.

In the end of the book the author has a character justify abuse, “it was love in its own way”, and I’m not sure how to feel about it. I thought it was unnecessary especially because it led nowhere (as with everything with this book) so I’m just confused of what its purpose was.

When I compare this book to other short stories collections I’ve read it just leaves so much to be desired. This could’ve been so good and it just … wasn’t.

marianikk's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

mob333's review against another edition

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fast-paced

2.5

chenhartink's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Prachtige verzameling van short stories! Elk verhaal is kort en zeer krachtig. Het zet je aan het denken en het raakt mooie thema’s aan. Dit is wat literatuur zo mooi maakt!!!

enolip's review against another edition

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3.0

Entretenido, pero poco cautivante. Son historias independientes, y como dice su sinopsis, sin inicio ni final. Podría decir que el final fue lo único que más disfruté.

fridge4's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

uprightsleepy's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The book is a poignant reflection on how humans deal with and receive love. It’s a wonderful read that will leave you feeling a wide range of emotions for each passing character.

Content Warnings