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1.96k reviews for:
What We Talk about When We Talk about Love / Beginners (A Vintage Short)
Raymond Carver
3.83 AVERAGE
1.96k reviews for:
What We Talk about When We Talk about Love / Beginners (A Vintage Short)
Raymond Carver
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
For all I've heard about Raymond Carver, I'd only read one of his stories before this, so I finally decided to jump in and try more. This collection is certainly effective (and affective) at capturing little pieces of life of a certain time and place. He does, as advertised, convey much minimally. It's a rather bleak world he captures, though. The overarching themes are bad decisions and failing love. The fuller quote the title is taken from, after all, is, "it ought to make us feel ashamed when we talk like we know what we're talking about when we talk about love." Carver is very good at portraying an unhealthy culture and the people in it. It makes for interesting reading, though not necessarily enjoyable.
Raymond Carver is the Lydia Davis for people who live just outside the city, one bottle at a time.
I am so envious of his talents to say so many things so plainly.
I am so envious of his talents to say so many things so plainly.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is a collection of short stories, some of which resonated with me, some of which fell a little flat, but overall I thought it was a very unique piece of fiction. Most of these stories are on the shorter side and don’t resolve the plot lines. However, I think that’s the magic of this collection. True to its title, I think many of the stories leave you with the complicated, messy, beautiful, and tragic experience of many different kinds of love. The unfinished feeling at the end of each story leaves you more with the feeling of what love is rather than giving you a traditional narrative experience.
Much like Kick The Latch which I read earlier this year, with WWTAWWTAL Carver creates depth with such ease. Wonderful read.
Pinjam di perpustakaan Kota Banda Aceh, dibaca dalam dua kali kunjungan. Agak pusing karena ketemu tokoh2 cerita yg pusing juga, hahaa
I'd rather call this book "Getting drunk, reminiscing, killing women and other fun stories that smell of depressed white American men".
Anyways, some stories were okayish I guess but all in all they have a vibe to them I don't really like. Some stories really shocked me though. Not sure wether that makes it better or worse. Another random fact, this somewhat reminded me of Charles Bukowski, another writer who I'm not particularly a fan of.
Anyways, some stories were okayish I guess but all in all they have a vibe to them I don't really like. Some stories really shocked me though. Not sure wether that makes it better or worse. Another random fact, this somewhat reminded me of Charles Bukowski, another writer who I'm not particularly a fan of.
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes