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Fires: Essays, Poems, Stories
More than sixty stories, poems, and essays are included in this wide-ranging collection by the extravagantly versatile Raymond Carver. Two of the stories—later revised for What We Talk About When We Talk About Love—are particularly notable in that between the first and the final versions, we see clearly the astounding process of Carver’s literary development.
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
June 18th 1989
by Vintage
(first published 1977)
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FINAL REVIEW
“That's all we have, finally, the words, and they had better be the right ones.”
― Raymond Carver
Back in the 1980s when this collection of essays, poems and stories was first published as part of the Vintage Contemporaries series, I read again and again. And after reading yet again this past week, I must say Carver's words get even better with age. This book collects seven stories told with such care and tenderness, it is as if Raymond Carver lets us hold the warm, beating heart of ea ...more
“That's all we have, finally, the words, and they had better be the right ones.”
― Raymond Carver
Back in the 1980s when this collection of essays, poems and stories was first published as part of the Vintage Contemporaries series, I read again and again. And after reading yet again this past week, I must say Carver's words get even better with age. This book collects seven stories told with such care and tenderness, it is as if Raymond Carver lets us hold the warm, beating heart of ea ...more
Nov 03, 2014
João Carlos
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contos-short-stories,
l2017
Tess Gallagher (n. 1943) (a quem "Fogos" é dedicado) e Raymond Carver (1938 – 1988) em 1984.
Raymond Carver (1938 – 1988) foi o escritor que me ensinou o prazer da literatura minimalista, os contos curtos como forma de arte literária única e indissociável da palavra meticulosa e angustiada, das vidas quotidianas descritas nas suas singularidades e nas suas idiossincrasias, geralmente num determinado contexto social e económico, com mulheres, homens e crianças, através das suas vivências próprias, ...more
Raymond Carver is that straight-to-the-point author who does not use too many flowery words to impress any reader. He keeps it short yet still exquisite, creative (sexy even). I think his application of real-life situations involving family and marriage issues could be relatable to both young adult and adult readers because of his easy writing style. But don't be fooled, because he also got me thinking to every short story ending. :)
A few poems fell flat but overall, essays and short stories in ...more
A few poems fell flat but overall, essays and short stories in ...more
Jun 13, 2016
orsodimondo
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
americana,
saggistica
LO SCRITTORE COME MAESTRO E AMICO
La gente era solita chinare la testa verso Carver, per sentirlo meglio.
Carver, più che parlare, mormorava, bisbigliava.
Un po’ per timidezza e un po’ per umiltà.
Un po’ per rispetto verso il linguaggio, che lo spingeva a maneggiare le parole, sia scritte che dette, con molta cautela.
Come se fosse quasi impossibile dire quello che si vuole.
Come se fosse addirittura pericoloso.
Nonostante si sia mantenuto per anni insegnando scrittura creativa, sembrava negato pe ...more
La gente era solita chinare la testa verso Carver, per sentirlo meglio.
Carver, più che parlare, mormorava, bisbigliava.
Un po’ per timidezza e un po’ per umiltà.
Un po’ per rispetto verso il linguaggio, che lo spingeva a maneggiare le parole, sia scritte che dette, con molta cautela.
Come se fosse quasi impossibile dire quello che si vuole.
Come se fosse addirittura pericoloso.
Nonostante si sia mantenuto per anni insegnando scrittura creativa, sembrava negato pe ...more
In many ways, this selection of Raymond Carver’s essays, poems and stories is the perfect introduction to this iconic literary figure. Unlike other collections, where readers are only given his finely crafted fiction or poetry to decipher, here we are first presented with four essays in which Carver speaks about his development as a writer and the factors the drove him to create.
Next, we are given a sample of Carver’s poems, which although not too varied in style or trope, are nonetheless beau ...more
Next, we are given a sample of Carver’s poems, which although not too varied in style or trope, are nonetheless beau ...more
Fires is a mix of Carver's essays, poems and early versions of short stories, some published in "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love," pieces that aren't really tied together but don't really fit with his other work. It's a great read and offers some real insight on Carver and his writing.
I especially liked the essays, which are all about writing and his influences, and offer some great advice for other writers and even inspiration, given that Carver was struggling to be a writer while w ...more
I especially liked the essays, which are all about writing and his influences, and offer some great advice for other writers and even inspiration, given that Carver was struggling to be a writer while w ...more
Il panettiere
Poi Pancho Villa venne in città,
impiccò il sindaco
e invitò a cena il vecchio e debole
conte Vronsky.
Pancho gli presentò la sua nuova ragazza
Insieme con suo marito vestito d’un grembiule bianco,
mostrò la pistola a Vronsky,
poi chiese al conte di raccontargli
del suo infelice esilio in Messico.
Più tardi parlarono di donne e cavalli.
Entrambi ne erano esperti.
La ragazza ridacchiava e
si trastullò coi bottoni di madreperla
della camicia di Pancho finché
a mezzanotte spaccata Pancho si addormen ...more
Poi Pancho Villa venne in città,
impiccò il sindaco
e invitò a cena il vecchio e debole
conte Vronsky.
Pancho gli presentò la sua nuova ragazza
Insieme con suo marito vestito d’un grembiule bianco,
mostrò la pistola a Vronsky,
poi chiese al conte di raccontargli
del suo infelice esilio in Messico.
Più tardi parlarono di donne e cavalli.
Entrambi ne erano esperti.
La ragazza ridacchiava e
si trastullò coi bottoni di madreperla
della camicia di Pancho finché
a mezzanotte spaccata Pancho si addormen ...more
"Fires: Essays, Poems, Stories" is nearly flawless, and highly recommended to anyone either coming to Raymond Carver for the first time or already a fan of his work. My friend Jennifer (thanks for lending it to me, Jennifer!) has already written a fine review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... so I won't write a long review here. I do, however, want to call attention to "You Don't Know What Love Is (an evening with Charles Bukowski)," which, I'm assuming, is pretty much a transcript of
...more
According to the Afterword, Carver revised "So Much Water So Close to Home," and although I didn't know that while reading the version of the story in this book, I found myself much more engaged in (and disturbed by) the story this time around.
In Carver's interview with the Paris Review (included at the end of the book), he gives some thoughts on the purpose of fiction: "It doesn't have to do anything. It just has to be there for the fierce pleasure we take in doing it, and the different kind of ...more
In Carver's interview with the Paris Review (included at the end of the book), he gives some thoughts on the purpose of fiction: "It doesn't have to do anything. It just has to be there for the fierce pleasure we take in doing it, and the different kind of ...more
I am giving this book five stars because I love Raymond Carver, but I am disappointed in my particular copy. I got it at a used book store and it looked fine on the outside, but it must've been a misprint. In one of the stories a page was missing, and then later in the book, it repeated a huge chunk of pages, so I ended up missing four stories entirely. How does that even happen?
Out of all the wonderful pieces of work in this collection of essays, shorts and poems, The Cabin is perhaps THE example of quintessential Carver. Astonishingly vivid just a few words in, Carver chooses his words sparingly and lovingly like a painter selects his blends of colours and shades. Not much happens, yet everything is felt.
Fires also satisfied my curiosity to read his poetry, a mix of touching, abstract, ominous and-in the case of You Don't Know What Love is, an account of an evening s ...more
Fires also satisfied my curiosity to read his poetry, a mix of touching, abstract, ominous and-in the case of You Don't Know What Love is, an account of an evening s ...more
Wow! While many of the poems in this book are light and elegant but the short stories are dark, rich and full of details that make them come alive. Carver tells stories without being too explicit. Letting the reader bring thoughtful consideration to the story. He seems to trust the reader. I felt trusted.
I also loved the poems about the outdoors. The environment. Fishing, boating, being in the forest. Surprising juxtaposition with the gritty stories. I plan on reading more by Raymond Carver.
I also loved the poems about the outdoors. The environment. Fishing, boating, being in the forest. Surprising juxtaposition with the gritty stories. I plan on reading more by Raymond Carver.
Some nice poetry and great insights into authors and authoring. I didn't know his work till I read this collection. Found a second hand copy so will revisit when it gets here.
Prima Lettura - Ita
Short Stories, Essays by Raymond Carver
Another version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
This is probably my last note on Raymond Carver.
Albeit, in a few years’ time, after reading again some of his works I might try to put down some thoughts.
It has been a joy ride.
To mention the first titles that came when searching among my notes on some the narratives of this fabulous author:
- A small Good thing, ...more
Another version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
This is probably my last note on Raymond Carver.
Albeit, in a few years’ time, after reading again some of his works I might try to put down some thoughts.
It has been a joy ride.
To mention the first titles that came when searching among my notes on some the narratives of this fabulous author:
- A small Good thing, ...more
I've read my fair share of Carver, this being the latest. What I loved most about this collection was the insight that it gave into Raymond Carver, the man. He's a gentle and affectionate soul who just happens to have been through some tough times. It's evident in his stories, sure, but here we get a much more direct and personal look at him.
I'm referring to his personal essays of course. My favourite of the essays was probably Fires, in which he talks about his influences as a writer. He only p ...more
I'm referring to his personal essays of course. My favourite of the essays was probably Fires, in which he talks about his influences as a writer. He only p ...more
Made the mistake of waiting too long to review this one, but here's what I remember: four essays inside -- each one I read a minimum of four times. Required reading.
MY FATHER'S LIFE for some words on his father --
"Then he died. I was a long way off, in Iowa City, with things still to say to him. I didn't have the chance to tell him goodbye, or that I thought he was doing great at his new job. That I was proud of him for making a comeback. My mother said he came in from work that night and ate a ...more
MY FATHER'S LIFE for some words on his father --
"Then he died. I was a long way off, in Iowa City, with things still to say to him. I didn't have the chance to tell him goodbye, or that I thought he was doing great at his new job. That I was proud of him for making a comeback. My mother said he came in from work that night and ate a ...more
En samling essays, digte og noveller/'stories'. Første del, essays, handler (udover om Carvers far) primært om det at skrive. Teksten 'My Father's Life' er klart den bedste - de andre er sådan lidt so-so; jeg følte i hvert fald ikke, at jeg fik noget virkelig fantastisk at vide om det at skrive.
Digtene, må jeg indrømme, skøjtede jeg hurtigt igennem. De fangede mig simpelthen ikke. Måske forstår jeg dem ikke, måske er Carver bare ikke den store poet. Hans historier er welt-klasse, men de her digt ...more
Digtene, må jeg indrømme, skøjtede jeg hurtigt igennem. De fangede mig simpelthen ikke. Måske forstår jeg dem ikke, måske er Carver bare ikke den store poet. Hans historier er welt-klasse, men de her digt ...more
Some of the poems here are stunning. “Country Matters,” “The Other Life, “Cougar,” “Louise,” and “Deschutes River,” are the one I think best. The two essays here, “On Writing” and “Fires,” plus the Paris Review interview contain his most extended discussions on writing and his influences. It’s interesting to compare the stories published in this collection with the versions he published in other collections because you can see the progress of revision. “Distance” for example, (which was titled “
...more
When I was in college, I took a couple of creative writing courses and Raymond Carver was considered perhaps the finest craftsmen of short stories. I, however, was not a fan. While stylistically I appreciated the sparseness of his writing, I found little to engage me in minimalism of the stories - little in the way of plot or character for me to find interesting or likable.
Recently, thanks to a biography and a new collection of his works, there has been a bit of resurgence of interest in his wo ...more
Recently, thanks to a biography and a new collection of his works, there has been a bit of resurgence of interest in his wo ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this little Carver compendium. Ranging from devastatingly frank and honest non-fiction and essays to his trademark short-story accounts, and then decorated some with Carver's unique verse - Fires is a volume that really introduces you to the breadth and depth of Carver's work. And to what depths does he plunge! Despite this being a very slim book with extremely short essays and tales, it took me a great while to read and absorb the pieces; Carver's writing, so pared down and
...more
Raymond Carver remains one of my favorite authors. He's erudite about the everyday conflicts and relationships of regular people. Is it more gripping reading about a whistle blower trying to stop a major pharma company from selling tainted medicine or a single father struggling family, alcohol and job? I love thrillers, but this book resonates on a very emotional level.
All four essays are exceptional. "On Writing" and "John Gardner: The Writer as a Teacher" are insightful and opinionated. "My Fa ...more
All four essays are exceptional. "On Writing" and "John Gardner: The Writer as a Teacher" are insightful and opinionated. "My Fa ...more
See that guy on the front cover. That's probably Raymond Carver's dad at age 22. This guy with the youthful exhuberance and rugged good looks probably inspired much of young Raymond's writing. But the more you read of his essays, poems and short stories, the more you see that raw emotion can never be captured in a drawing or a photograph. Combine the poem "Photograph of My Father in his Twenty-second Year" with the pain and irony carefully sculpted into younger Ray's writings. Writing takes a lo
...more
This collection begins with a handful of Carver’s essays on writing that touch on how he refined his craft, influences, mentors etc and that leave no doubt he knew what he was doing with every word in every sentence. Next up are poems – while I’m not very well equipped to review these critically I definitely enjoyed them – covering a variety of topics from salmon to old photographs, even one as a sort of parody of contemporary Charles Bukowski (a highlight). The final pages comprise several of C
...more
Even if you're familiar with Carver's short fiction, you'll be surprised at these essays about his development as a writer. There's a great homage to his mentor, John Gardner, and his advice "On Writing."
My favorite (although probably not the best) essay is the one in which he tackles the usually self-aggrandizing account on what influenced him As A Writer. For Carver, it was his kids, and for him it was a negative influence: "I would always have them, and always find myself in this position of ...more
My favorite (although probably not the best) essay is the one in which he tackles the usually self-aggrandizing account on what influenced him As A Writer. For Carver, it was his kids, and for him it was a negative influence: "I would always have them, and always find myself in this position of ...more
3.5 stars
Raymond's no-nonsense writing drew me in right off the bat. He doesn't bullshit his writing and go off on nonsensical tangents, which some authors and poets do and it drives me nuts. I really liked his essays (raw, real, and honest). His poems and short stories were good too, some of them spoke to me more than others. I just really like the way his honesty translates into his work; as simple and straightforward as he writes, his words really do pack a punch and leave a lasting impressio ...more
Raymond's no-nonsense writing drew me in right off the bat. He doesn't bullshit his writing and go off on nonsensical tangents, which some authors and poets do and it drives me nuts. I really liked his essays (raw, real, and honest). His poems and short stories were good too, some of them spoke to me more than others. I just really like the way his honesty translates into his work; as simple and straightforward as he writes, his words really do pack a punch and leave a lasting impressio ...more
Prachtige bundel waar ik met name heb genoten van de essays en de korte verhalen. Sommige korte verhalen las ik eerder (wellicht in een ietwat ander versie) en hebben niets in hun kracht ingeboet. Sterker nog, bij het herlezen ervan kan ik ze nog meer op waarde schatten. De essays gaan over zijn schrijverschap, zijn voorbeeld, maar ook over het leven van zijn vader. Ze geven een goed inkijkje in de denkwereld van deze meesterschrijver.
Wat betreft zijn poëzie moet ik me op de vlakte houden. Ik he ...more
Wat betreft zijn poëzie moet ik me op de vlakte houden. Ik he ...more
I like a few sneak peaks at Carver's nonfiction. Oh, the one on his father is so heart-breaking, especially the description of this photo of his father. I find it really compelling and brave that Raymond Carver looked closely at that photo and responded almost objectively. The poems are not all that "visionary" and read more like his short stories. Actually, reading his poetry is an interesting way to attempt to understand how he looks at the world--it's as if he can't resist picking up informat
...more
Still love this man, I cannot get bored of this freaking amazing man. His entrancing writing gets you hooked immediately and keeps you on that goddam hook the entire time. These are the first of his essays and poetry that I've read of Carver's and it is absolutely enthralling. Even when he writes an essay he still manages that ethereal story quality, and manages to inject a flare of incredulity in every single thing that would otherwise be mundane and lackluster. If you want to read some quality
...more
There were some beautiful poems in here. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm at a stage in life where I can fully appreciate and understand some of the themes in there. Carver deals heavily with alcoholism, sickness, death, family responsibility, things I do not have the experiences to truly identify with yet, and identifying with the stories is how I truly enjoy them. I'd like to revisit this at some point in life.
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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. He
...more
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“I hate tricks. At the first sign of a trick or gimmick in a piece of fiction, a cheap trick or even an elaborate trick, I tend to look for cover. Tricks are ultimately boring, and I get bored easily, which may go along with my not having much of an attention span. But extremely clever chi-chi writing, or just plain tomfoolery writing, puts me to sleep. Writers don't need tricks or gimmicks or even necessarily need to be the smartest fellows on the block. At the risk of appearing foolish, a writer sometimes needs to be able to just stand and gape at this or that thing- a sunset or an old shoe- in absolute and simple amazement.”
—
75 likes
“Years later,
I still wanted to give up
friends, love, starry skies,
for a house where no one
was home, no one coming back,
and all I could drink”
—
3 likes
More quotes…
I still wanted to give up
friends, love, starry skies,
for a house where no one
was home, no one coming back,
and all I could drink”
