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aelumen's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lucasgregorini's review
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alexandra13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sydneyw7's review against another edition
4.0
Raymond Carver was definitely inspired by Earnest Hemingway and it shows. He writes female stories really well!
andresreading's review against another edition
5.0
This book contains some of Carver's most famous essays, poems and short stories. His essays are honest and simple, not trying to sound intellectual, but rather telling it as it is, from his own experiences; the poems have a peculiar touch; and the short stories are obviously masterfully crafted. I think it's a great introduction to Carver's works.
crispymerola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A solid collection with a ton of variety. Not everything in here was for me - many of the poems, for example, not to mention some of the stories have such a marked degree subtlety and slightness of plot/theme that it's hard for me to walk away satisfied.
That said, the essays in here are pristinely lucid. At best, reading Carver's prose is like drinking a new sort of water, one whose clarity makes other drinks taste murky and unrefined in comparison.
That said, the essays in here are pristinely lucid. At best, reading Carver's prose is like drinking a new sort of water, one whose clarity makes other drinks taste murky and unrefined in comparison.
jacqknight's review against another edition
3.0
I just don’t like short stories and essays. Easy enough to read but I couldn’t wait to be done. The subject matter and writing all felt indulgent and gratuitous.
mugren's review against another edition
2.0
Essays 4 out of 5 stars.
Poems 1 out of 5 stars.
Stories 1 out of 5 stars.
Poems 1 out of 5 stars.
Stories 1 out of 5 stars.
dxangelos's review against another edition
4.0
i never read much of these short pieces kind of things but i loved them. the essays especially, but i have favourite poems and stories as well. it was a great book for this point of my year, i enjoyed it a lot.