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Livability: Stories
by
Jon Raymond
A collection of rich, powerfully human stories from the author of The Half-Life and the movies Old Joy (“one of the finest American films of the year”—New York Times) and Wendy and Lucy.
A grieving man embarks on a long-imagined affair in the months following his wife’s unexpected death. Two old friends attempt to rediscover their lost bond on a trip to remote mountain hot...more
A grieving man embarks on a long-imagined affair in the months following his wife’s unexpected death. Two old friends attempt to rediscover their lost bond on a trip to remote mountain hot...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
December 23rd 2008
by Bloomsbury USA
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This book, basically, is why I love Oregon. Jon Raymond hits everything exactly right, from an entitled Lake Oswego subdivision to Lloyd Center to Newport in the middle of winter. Apart from the nail-on-the-head sense of place, the stories are also just good (the one about the artist and her boyfriend was forgettable, but "The Suckling Pig" makes up for that by being one of the most fascinating stories I've ever read.) My vote is for Jon Raymond as the next (next?) Great Oregon Writer. His stuff...more
Superb. Although there's plenty of movement among the characters in these stories each one has a deep, ruminative quality to it. It was hard not to think about Will Oldham when reading "Old Joy" but that by no means overshadows the effect of that particular story. All of these are gems, through and through. And I didn't for once get the sense, as I've had of late whenever I pick up a new collection and skim it whilst standing in a bookstore, that these tales were scribed by some trustafarian wit...more
once in awhile, a book comes into your life. like connecting with a new friend or discovering a new cuisine or hearing a band that makes you feel grateful for being alive. Livability is that book for me. not since I read Rudy Rucker (my kind of humor) or Joseph Brodsky (my philosophy/outlook on things), has something spoken directly to my taste and sensibility so perfectly, that it made me cry.
stories like "Old Joy" and "Train Choir" are exactly everything I want from a book, but they were also...more
stories like "Old Joy" and "Train Choir" are exactly everything I want from a book, but they were also...more
What little strength this collection possesses stems from Raymond’s evocation of Oregon, and this is what kept me reading. Yet, the writing itself is wholly underwhelming. Throughout, I kept feeling that Raymond was forcing the uniqueness of Oregon into generic realist fiction writing, which, to me, undermines the singularity of the region. Additionally, Raymond’s attempt to utilize a diverse cast of characters is completely negated by the fact that each character is so flat that they are nothin...more
Most of Raymond's stories center around the Pacific northwest, and while there are times within this collection where Raymond is apt at fitting his story into the environmental framework, I was left repeatedly cold by his decisions concerning character and plot. Too often, the plots of these stories tend to involve issues that don't necessarily carry with them strong dramatic elements. A story like "Old Joy" centers around two single men trying to rekindle a friendship, a friendship that the nar...more
A little like Miranda July, but less earnest and huggy.
This is the author behind the short stories that inspired the films Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy. These are quiet stories of people learning new things about themselves in unusual situations. Some of the stories are a little predictable and hew a little too closely to the world of the tragically hip thirtysomething looking for meaning within the creative class. (This might tell you something: Will Oldham appears in both Old Joy and Wendy and L...more
This is the author behind the short stories that inspired the films Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy. These are quiet stories of people learning new things about themselves in unusual situations. Some of the stories are a little predictable and hew a little too closely to the world of the tragically hip thirtysomething looking for meaning within the creative class. (This might tell you something: Will Oldham appears in both Old Joy and Wendy and L...more
I was drawn to this book when I had to choose a book club title that related to "Portland, OR". Jon Raymond is a Portlander, and many of these stories take place in and around Portland and speak to some issues specific to the Rose City.
But I would have enjoyed this book no matter how well I knew Portland, the stories of childhood play in the woods, of old friends, and of the perils of life on the road, are each interesting and fun to read...also there have been two very thoughtful and moving in...more
But I would have enjoyed this book no matter how well I knew Portland, the stories of childhood play in the woods, of old friends, and of the perils of life on the road, are each interesting and fun to read...also there have been two very thoughtful and moving in...more
My overwhelming reaction to finally finishing this story is a whole new appreciation for the art of Kelly Reichardt. Her film Wendy and Lucy is a small miracle of American cinema and on realising it was adapted from a short story (Train Choir, the final short story from this collection) I had a burning need to read it. It's hard to imagine such a strong, subtle film originally coming from a non visual medium and as a former film student with aspirations of emulating such beauty in his own work,...more
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i was interested in this book due to the film adaptations of a few of the stories, that being "old joy" and "wendy and lucy" (in the book as "train choir"). the stories tend to be quiet, considered, and heavy in atmosphere and environment. the stories are really varied with a number of different types of characters and perspectives, and it also happens to be the first book in which i have found someone using the word "boosh". reading the book on the bus to and from the other portland (the one in...more
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Strange, I didn't actually like this book much, but a bit like I imagine a voyeur feels when they just can't stop looking through the window to see what happens next, I read every word. Can't say I would recommend this to many people but I do have to admit that the writing itself is quite good; talented, I guess I should say. Jon Raymond really gets the details of true, every day situations down. Many readers will say "That happened to me"--or something like it in essence or quality or...somethi...more
This is an amazing collection of stories. It should be required reading for anyone living in Portland, Oregon, my fringe city of the Pacific Northwest, but it's also about characters on the fringes of society, so really it's required reading for everyone interested.
I recommend reading this collection before watching "Old Joy" and "Wendy & Lucy," both adapted by Raymond from his own stories and directed by Kelly Reichardt. I made the mistake of watching the movies beforehand. They are great m...more
I recommend reading this collection before watching "Old Joy" and "Wendy & Lucy," both adapted by Raymond from his own stories and directed by Kelly Reichardt. I made the mistake of watching the movies beforehand. They are great m...more
You might already be familiar with Jon Raymond's cinematic credentials. He's the writer of the movies "Old Joy" and "Wendy and Lucy". Both are taken from this beautiful collection of short stories set in the Pacific Northwest. This is a stellar read. PERFECT for plane rides, commutes, coffee breaks, or curling up with at bedtime. I will forever read anything and everything he writes because of this book. Lush, sparse, atmospheric, human, touching, and often weirdly humorous, these stories will s...more
Jun 14, 2011
Liza
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who love rain
Recommended to Liza by:
Jonny
Kelly Reichardt's films Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy were based on this short story collection, which impacted my reading. I enjoyed those two stories (for this collection titled "Old Joy" and "The Train Choir") and one other ("The Coast"). The rest did not resonate with me much. One in particular completely fell flat, because it seemed as though the author had no idea how to write from the characters' perspectives, and thus the subjects fell off the page.
I've never been to Oregon, but these stor...more
I've never been to Oregon, but these stor...more
Aug 01, 2009
Matt McNabb
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
A masochist.
Recommended to Matt by:
No one, or they would be punished.
Shelves:
on-my-bookshelf-at-home
Readability: next to zero.
The author owns the characters in his stories, yet cannot work up the nerve to come anywhere close to tying a story together. For effect, and in a short story collection, you can do that once to a reader. You cannot do that in nearly every story and expect someone to want to read what you write in the future (or re-read this collection). I'm sure some of the stories were good, but when the last thought you have at the end of nearly every one is, "what the heck?" that ju...more
The author owns the characters in his stories, yet cannot work up the nerve to come anywhere close to tying a story together. For effect, and in a short story collection, you can do that once to a reader. You cannot do that in nearly every story and expect someone to want to read what you write in the future (or re-read this collection). I'm sure some of the stories were good, but when the last thought you have at the end of nearly every one is, "what the heck?" that ju...more
I like short story collections and anthologies as I can read a story in those little gaps such as when waiting for the water to come to a boil on the stove.
Many of the stories were about missed opportunities in life and how small things can end up having a big affect. Many of the stories included drifters, temporary relationships, failed relationships, and life moves on.
I liked each story as the author seems to think much like I do. The characters are always thinking, mulling things over, planni...more
Many of the stories were about missed opportunities in life and how small things can end up having a big affect. Many of the stories included drifters, temporary relationships, failed relationships, and life moves on.
I liked each story as the author seems to think much like I do. The characters are always thinking, mulling things over, planni...more
I had high hopes after reading the first in this collection of short stories. The first is about two hippie friends trying to reconnect who take an overnight hiking trip to some hot springs in Oregon. But the rest of the stories featured characters who had no business having stories written about them. There is one story called "The Suckling Pig" about an Asian guy who picks up 2 Hispanic workers, Diego and Javier, outside of a Home Depot and has them do some work on his property while he prepar...more
I learned about this book after watching the movie Old Joy, which is based on a story in this collection. I loved the movie, which was quietly powerful and so perfectly captured the way that small moments can blossom with meaning. I loved the collection just as much. Every story blew my socks off. These are the kind of stories I want to be writing. I'm now a huge Jon Raymond fan.
I was really looking forward to reading this collection of short stories mainly because the author is the screenwriter of Old Joy and Wendy & Lucy - and this book contains the short stories on which those 2 films were based. Both of those short stories are the stand outs in this collection but there are other quiet gems as well here. Definitely a good read and the cover is just nice to look at too.
I read this because it contained the basis for two films I rather enjoyed, Old Joy (titled Old Joy in the story collection) and Wendy & Lucy (titled Train Choir in the story collection). Overall the stories were kinda middle-of-the-road. Characters tended to be a bit flat and sometimes the stories felt a bit MFA-ish. There was just an overarching tone or voice that I feel I've been reading in contemporary American fiction and I don't like it.
But check out the two films directed by Kelly Reic...more
But check out the two films directed by Kelly Reic...more
A good, solid collection of stories. I can see why people have compared him to Raymond Carver - the earthy realism and economy of style definitely has the ring of the Carveresqe - but this guy is certainly no mere imitator. There's something decidedly unfussy about the way he writes, a sort of downtempo style with the briefest of flourishes here and there. He also has some of the best open endings I've read for a while. Pre-ordering his second collection now.
After hearing about Jon Raymond winning the Oregon Book Prize (or something like that) and seeing his two adapted stories, "Train Choir" and "Old Joy" into the beautiful movies, "Wendy and Lucy" and "Old Joy" I picked this up.
His stories are really quiet and beautiful. But the writing is the best when it isn't followed by other justifying words. This is something the movies take care of - where there is silence or simply the quiet actions or non-actions. But in the book there are descriptions an...more
His stories are really quiet and beautiful. But the writing is the best when it isn't followed by other justifying words. This is something the movies take care of - where there is silence or simply the quiet actions or non-actions. But in the book there are descriptions an...more
There's a curiosity and a distance to the characters in Rayomond's stories. They feel like the kids you knew in H.S. or the guy you heard about from your friends but never talked to yourself. Raymond is an observer of people, he takes notes and jots down sketches. In these stories he sets up scenarios and throws in characters to see what happens. There's the Russian thief, the son of Chinese immigrants and the epic story that served as a basis for Wendy and Lucy. Each trying to figure out their...more
i was not expecting to like this book at all. first, i generally don't like to read a whole book of short stories, and second, i thought they'd be hipster portland stories. but actually they were pretty honest and only slightly hipster.
The last story is so sad. I cannot handle stories about humans and dogs being separated. I do not know if I would be able to watch the film adaptation "Wendy and Lucy." I loved reading all of these stories and couldn't put it down.
A short story collection from the writer of the films "Old Joy" and "Wendy & Lucy" (original stories the films are based on are two of the nine stories included in this book) so if you enjoyed those films you'll likely enjoy this read.
The writing seems somewhat generic in spots, but the stories here are sad and heartfelt which makes up for the lack of profound literary prose.
The writing seems somewhat generic in spots, but the stories here are sad and heartfelt which makes up for the lack of profound literary prose.
Beautifully written and easy to read, I just didn't like the stories the author chose to tell. They weren't pretty stories with pink-bow-topped endings, which is fine, but I felt like I related to very few of the numerous characters on more than a single note per character, which made it hard to care about them.
modern short fiction with a oregon bent. oh portland. some curious and entertaining bits - most memorable is the shocked deer int he back of a van. . . enjoyable, smooth reading, some nuggets but nothing much
Great book, especially for fans of the two movies inspired by two its stories.
Another great little book of short stories is "Love in an Expanding Universe" by Ronald Rindo.
Another great little book of short stories is "Love in an Expanding Universe" by Ronald Rindo.
I'm really on the cusp as to whether to rate this as a three or four star. I really enjoyed the writing style, characters, themes—and the location especially as Oregon holds a special charm to me. The only irksome note that kept ringing out is that each story ended with the same ambiguous ending. I don't prefer for tales to be wrapped up with a bow, that's for certain, and I understand that it's part of a much larger theme—but at times, it made me disinterested in following through as a reader....more
It's weird that the two movies that were made based on stories from this book (Train Chorus and Old Joy) are the most depressing stories in the whole goddamn book. Also, maybe because I sorta knew what to expect, the least interesting.
The real gem in this collection was "The Suckling Pig." It weaved unsteadily like a super drunk guy try to pee standing up. And though the salient points were somewhat predictable, the observations and character traits popped like delicious pig fat.
The real gem in this collection was "The Suckling Pig." It weaved unsteadily like a super drunk guy try to pee standing up. And though the salient points were somewhat predictable, the observations and character traits popped like delicious pig fat.
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“We kept walking, our shadows moving in shifting blobs over the ground. The sound of river rocks rattled under our feet. We turned along a bend in the stream and a curtain of poplar trees came into view, shivering in the distance, showing the white backsides of their leaves. I watched them for a while until an ancient, aching sorrow rose up in my chest. It was a familiar feeling. Something in the mute, unconscious trees resonated inside me, something so deep and fundamental it failed to remember its own source anymore. I watched the poplars flickering against the hard blue of the sky. What is sorrow? I thought. What is sorrow but old, worn out joy?”
—
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