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476th out of 757 books
—
3,450 voters
Short Cuts: Selected Stories
A movie tie-in edition to the brilliant new film by Robert Altman, based on these nine stories by Carver, "one of the great short story writers of our time--of any time" (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Paperback, Vintage Contempories, 157 pages
Published
September 14th 1993
by Vintage
(first published 1993)
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This has been sitting on my DVD shelf for a few years now as the Criterion companion to the movie. While I really enjoy the movie, I think I ended up buying it just because there was a book included in the packaging. And thank goodness...Carver might have continued to go undetected by me as--for the most part--all I've ever heard him discussed is a one sentence nod of approval in passing. Not that I could have predicted it, but I'm glad I've waited to read his work because I might not have appre...more
I read Short Cuts after reading What We Talk About... and it's simply nowhere near as strong a collection, which seems fitting as it was compiled by Robert Altman and not Carver himself. About the highlights that don't completely overlap: "A Small Good Thing" is one of the highlights here, a more elaborate version of "The Bath" from What We Talk About... with names, emotions, and even a resolution(!) provided this time around. "They're Not Your Husband" is just about as Carver as anything he's e...more
Short stories are trick. It is hard to get the character and settings right since there is a limited number of pages to draw the reader in and make them care about the characters and their situations. When short story collections are done well they can be memorable parables or anecdotal hors d'oeuvres leaving the reader with anticipation for a delicious and exciting main course of a novel from the author. But when they are done poorly the reader the reader can feel resentful as if the author ser...more
Esse é o primeiro livro que leio de Raymond Carver, e fiquei fascinada pela sua habilidade de contista. O primeiro conto, "Neighbors", sobre um casal que lentamente assume as vidas de um casal vizinho, que está viajando e cujo estilo de vida eles admiravam, é uma abertura fantástica.
"Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?" é sobre um homem que se torna obcecado com a idéia de que a mulher, com quem é casado desde a faculdade, o traiu.
"So Much Water So Close to Home" é sobre uma mulher que fica horror...more
"Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?" é sobre um homem que se torna obcecado com a idéia de que a mulher, com quem é casado desde a faculdade, o traiu.
"So Much Water So Close to Home" é sobre uma mulher que fica horror...more
I discovered Raymond Carver back in the day in college. To this day, he (maybe with the exception of Hemingway short stories) is probably one of the best short story writers to ever live. If you are not interested in short stories or just don't like reading, I suggest watching the Robert Altman film, Short Cuts. This is a top 5 movie for me, ranks up there with Vanilla Sky and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest for me. This collection of stories takes place in LA, and they all blend into one anothe...more
The big duh: Raymond Carver is one of the masters of the contemporary short story. The really great thing about Carver is that his stories are so easy -- you can blaze through them like a pop novel without missing a beat, and yet come out on the other end knowing you've read something tremendous. They are SIMPLE, but far from SIMPLISTIC.
This collection is actually a movie-to-book edition. In the 90s, Robert Altman (director of M*A*S*H and Nashville) created a film that put together 9 of Carver's...more
This collection is actually a movie-to-book edition. In the 90s, Robert Altman (director of M*A*S*H and Nashville) created a film that put together 9 of Carver's...more
The rating is anticipatory as I haven't started yet. I've only read
one Carver book so far(there aren't that many, sadly) but it was a
five all the way. Never saw this movie though I've seen many of RA's
films, especially the earlier ones. 'Bout halfway through after reading
"Will You Please Be Quiet. Please." this morning;a perfect rendering
of a male betrayal fantasy. Be careful who you hand your ass to. It
might come back hamburger. It was a bit of a come down to realize that
I'd already read about...more
one Carver book so far(there aren't that many, sadly) but it was a
five all the way. Never saw this movie though I've seen many of RA's
films, especially the earlier ones. 'Bout halfway through after reading
"Will You Please Be Quiet. Please." this morning;a perfect rendering
of a male betrayal fantasy. Be careful who you hand your ass to. It
might come back hamburger. It was a bit of a come down to realize that
I'd already read about...more
I know I'm *supposed* to give this five stars, and it's just mind-boggling I've never read any Raymond Carver before this (except So Much Water So Close to Home, but without knowing how "important" it was or being able to remember why I felt like I'd seen the story take place right before my eyes -- which was because it was in the movie Short Cuts I finally realized when I saw this book at the library).
I've been given lots of quiet hints to read Raymond Carver and only recently picked up on them...more
I've been given lots of quiet hints to read Raymond Carver and only recently picked up on them...more
Avevo già letto "Cattedrale", e in quest'altra raccolta di racconti (scelti da Robert Altman, che vi si è ispirato per il film America Oggi) ho ritrovato il Carver che ricordavo. Pennellate di crudeltà, di quotidianità, di vite di estranei così umani e verosimili che potrebbero essere i nostri vicini di casa, o noi stessi.
In realtà lo stile asciutto di Carver e soprattutto i finali tronchi, taglienti e amari che lo caratterizzano sono in gran parte dovuti alla mano pesante del suo editor. Ma ciò...more
In realtà lo stile asciutto di Carver e soprattutto i finali tronchi, taglienti e amari che lo caratterizzano sono in gran parte dovuti alla mano pesante del suo editor. Ma ciò...more
I saw Short Cuts when it first came out in the theater in the early 90's(3 hours is too long to sit in a theater). I had just discovered Raymond Carver and I loved to see how Altman weaved together the stories. Got the movie and this book from the library last weekend. It didn't take me much longer to read the book than it took to watch the movie (did I mention 3 hrs!) I enjoyed the movie - some really amazing acting throughout - but not as much as I enjoyed reading the original stories. Carver'...more
What a great selection of stories by a master of the short-story format! This comes off as a "greatest hits" collection of sorts. Like Flannery O'Conner, Carver has the ability to distort stories in a subtle yet painfully realistic manner, taking stories in profound and often tragic directions. The characters reveal themselves as flawed, and seem real enough that you believe the darkness many of them venture into. Read this collection if you are unfamiliar with Raymond Carver and want to check o...more
May 10, 2012
Jocelyn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-my-e-reader,
from-the-library
Plain, minimalist stories of 1940/50s USA. Similar to Hemingway. Style where only tiny snips of central characters thoughts are given - we seem mostly expected to guess thoughts and emotions from their actions, and occasional small clues of description. Many stories are quite bleak, of unhappy people doing nasty or odd things for unclear reasons. I can see the attraction for film-makers to use these stories, as there is so little in-the-mind stuff: the reader is always looking from outside, much...more
I loved the movie...it's one of my all-time favorites. It was interesting to read the short stories behind the scrpit, but for once I actually felt the movie outdid the book.
Carver is definitely a mood inducing author for me. When I read his stories, even the funny ones, they always make me feel sad about life in general. And to be sure, not all of hi stories are funny, and the depressing ones sometimes make me feel a little sick. But this is the great thing about them. I had seen the Short Cuts movie, and so, I knew what was coming in most of these stories (and I had previously read some of these stories in other collections of his) but they still pack a surprise....more
The copy of this that I read was the copy that comes in the Criterion Collection box set of the DVD of the movie. I read it before I watched, and was impressed by the subtle, graceful, and simple, yet poignant stories Carver had to tell. He seems to be a man who did a fair bit of living, a fair bit of experiencing other people. The movie's no slouch, either - it weaves all these stories together all connected-like! And is star-studded, of course, being a Robert Altman venture. Cool stories that...more
As far as I can remember I hadn't ever read a Raymond Carver Story before this compilation. They have a familiar feel to them though. Carver has a very spare style, to the point where his people have somewhat similar characteristics based on how simplified their speech is and how bare and raw their emotional and psychic states are. It kind of bothers me that this style is paired with characters who are all either working class or under/unemployed... or maybe it is more the time period (I am gues...more
Exquisitely crafted vignettes of American lives from a master short story teller! This collection of Carver’s stories provide brief glimpses into the lives of ordinary people that, due to some unforeseen incident or the other, results in a complete upheaval by the transformation of the casual into the absurd. Most of Carver’s protagonists exhibit subtle undercurrents of darkness and depression, allowing for some brilliant portrayal of human weakness and pain. Despite being wary of short stories,...more
This book was depressing to me. As the first Raymond Carver read I'm not sure how it compares with his other stories but I would finish each story slightly depressed. I almost gave it a three star.
However, I had to push it to four for two reasons. First, the short story included, "A small good thing" which was poignant and powerful. Second, the overall way in which he wrote mesmerized me. His explorations into human character and the ways in which we, as people, are laid bare in certain circums...more
However, I had to push it to four for two reasons. First, the short story included, "A small good thing" which was poignant and powerful. Second, the overall way in which he wrote mesmerized me. His explorations into human character and the ways in which we, as people, are laid bare in certain circums...more
I became interested in Carver after reading that he's an influence on Haruki Murakami. Additionally, I'm a fan of short stories; I admire writers' abilities to create a mood or complex characters in a few pages (or maybe it's because I sometimes have a short attention span). Carver's ability to paint sadness and emptiness in American suburbs reminds me of Edward Hopper's paintings. Indeed, I kept visualizing his paintings while reading. I enjoyed most of these stories, especially "A Small Good T...more
Makes short story writing seem simple ... too simple.
I came across my copy of “Short Cuts” by Raymond Carver in much the same way that things happen to characters in his short stories – by a sequence of events that just ‘happened’ to me.
The book had been packed in storage since I don’t know when really, in a cardboard box and brought over to Sydney by my sister and her husband when they emigrated to Australia.
Read my full review on my blog.
The book had been packed in storage since I don’t know when really, in a cardboard box and brought over to Sydney by my sister and her husband when they emigrated to Australia.
Read my full review on my blog.
I read this book for a class on adaptation. During the course we read books and watched the film adaptations of them, so my experience with the book is a bit skewed.
I enjoyed this as a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver, who is by and far a very good writer. If you're a fan of short stories involving 'real-life scenario' type writing, then this is great collection to read. If you're intent is to read it to compare it to the film, then you probably will find it befuddling as to what re...more
I enjoyed this as a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver, who is by and far a very good writer. If you're a fan of short stories involving 'real-life scenario' type writing, then this is great collection to read. If you're intent is to read it to compare it to the film, then you probably will find it befuddling as to what re...more
Carver explores the neurotic undercurrents of urban dwellers. His characters are typically immersed in the Everyday where the repetitive force of the mundane has them mired in the mechanics of living: House-sitting, birthday parties, beer buddy fishing trips, boredom, initiation of an affair, two pals cruising, looking for thrills. From these commonplace events, Carver produces stories that are pristine, using language scrubbed clean of verbal theatrics--no show off words, no eccentric construct...more
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection--finished it in about 3 days, which is rare for me lately.
When I read, "A Small, Good Thing," I almost cried I was so moved. However, that was the only story amongst those featured in this volume that really wowed me. The rest were certainly entertaining (and impeccably written) but I just wasn't moved again--not like the continuous emotional maelstrom I felt when I read "Jesus' Son" or Kawabata's Palm-of-the-Hand stories. Perhaps it's that "A Small,...more
When I read, "A Small, Good Thing," I almost cried I was so moved. However, that was the only story amongst those featured in this volume that really wowed me. The rest were certainly entertaining (and impeccably written) but I just wasn't moved again--not like the continuous emotional maelstrom I felt when I read "Jesus' Son" or Kawabata's Palm-of-the-Hand stories. Perhaps it's that "A Small,...more
At my birthday party, I mentioned to someone that I had recently read these stories, and two other people, seperate from each other and from me, started raving about how good Carver is. It's true.
All I want to do after reading this guy's stories is drink and beat my wife. Except beautifully.
Sample quote, from "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?":
"For their honeymoon they drove to Guadalajara, and while they both enjoyed visiting the decayed churches and the poorly lighted museums and the afterno...more
All I want to do after reading this guy's stories is drink and beat my wife. Except beautifully.
Sample quote, from "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?":
"For their honeymoon they drove to Guadalajara, and while they both enjoyed visiting the decayed churches and the poorly lighted museums and the afterno...more
Carver on writing the short story: "Get in, get out, don't linger."
Preach it, Ray!
Besides Graham Greene, Carver is one of my favorite authors. Oh, he hurts.
My faves:
1. The disturbing but good "A Small, Good Thing:
2. "Vitamins"
3. "They're Not Your Husband"
4. The ultra disturbing and horrifying "Tell the Women We're Going"
5. And geez, the also disturbing and masterful "So Much Water So Close to Home". A very dark secret that you never really know about and that is between a husband and wife.
Preach it, Ray!
Besides Graham Greene, Carver is one of my favorite authors. Oh, he hurts.
My faves:
1. The disturbing but good "A Small, Good Thing:
2. "Vitamins"
3. "They're Not Your Husband"
4. The ultra disturbing and horrifying "Tell the Women We're Going"
5. And geez, the also disturbing and masterful "So Much Water So Close to Home". A very dark secret that you never really know about and that is between a husband and wife.
Was in the mood for a short story collection and had just read a Carver short in another book. So I ambled over the the local bookstore and found this as a used book. Carver has been described as one of the great short story writers of the 20th century. In this book, his writing is crisp, to the point, never flowery or sentimental. The characters are complex. But the stories are all downers. Still, each kept my interest and the characters seemed flesh and blood real.
Apr 08, 2011
Molly
added it
I'd never read any Raymond Carver before, so perhaps starting with a collection assembled by Robert Altman wasn't the best choice, but I have to say that I loved it nonetheless. It feels like you're watching reality through a camera lens that's gritty, dim, and a bit smudged -- so many snapshots of the understated desperation of unremarkable people going quietly insane. Suppose I'll have to move on to the collections Carver assembled himself -- suggestions, anyone?
In this book of short stories, Carver writes about everyday people and manages to make the mundane dramatic which may be the reason Robert Altman chose to adapt it to film. Carver was a master at directness and concise dialog. He didn’t clutter his prose with distracting descriptions. His stories are funny and shocking at the same time. In fact, I almost felt guilty enjoying them--like I was listening in on a party line or looking over my neighbor’s fence.
it's really hard to read more than one of these stories each day, he's just that intense. "will you please be quiet, please?" is probably my favorite short story of all time. also, i learned that this book is a compilation of stories put together by director robert altman, who made a movie out of them in 1993 starring the likes of andie macdowell, tim robbins, robert downey jr, peter gallagher, tom waits, frances mcdormand, huey lewis, jack lemmon...!
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Carver was born into a poverty-stricken family at the tail-end of the Depression. The son of a violent alcoholic, he married at 19, started a series of menial jobs and his own career of 'full-time drinking as a serious pursuit'. A career that would eventually kill him. Constantly struggling to support his wife and family Carver enrolled in a writing programme under author John Gardner in 1958 and...more
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“And certain things around us will change, become easier or harder, one thing or the other, but nothing will ever really be any different. I believe that. We have made our decisions, our lives have been set in motion, and they will go on and on until they stop. But if that is true, then what? I mean, what if you believe that, but you keep it covered up, until one day something happens that should change something, but then you see nothing is going to change after all. What then? Meanwhile, the people around you continue to talk and act as if you were the same person as yesterday, or last night, or five minutes before, but you are really undergoing a crisis, your heart feels damaged…”
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