What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (PDF/ePUB) By Raymond Carver
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Information
| Book Name: | What We Talk About When We Talk About Love |
| Author: | Raymond Carver |
| Pages | 15 |
| Language: | English |
| File Type: | PDF/ePub (Downloadable) |
| PDF Size: | 254 KB |
| ePub Size | 518 KB |
In his second anthology, Carver solidifies his standing as a highly acclaimed and revered author of short stories in the realm of American literature. This compilation serves as a poignant reflection on the themes of love, grief, camaraderie, and navigating through challenging circumstances.
About The Author Raymond Carver
Carver’s birth occurred inside a socioeconomically disadvantaged family during the concluding phase of the Great Depression. At the age of 19, he entered into matrimony and afterwards embarked on a succession of unskilled occupations, while concurrently pursuing a vocation centred around the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a dedicated endeavour. Regrettably, this chosen path ultimately led to his untimely demise. In 1958, Carver, faced with persistent challenges in providing for his wife and family, made the decision to join in a writing workshop mentored by the esteemed novelist John Gardner. The individual perceived this particular opportunity as a pivotal moment.
By disregarding the avant-garde fiction prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, the individual in question had a pioneering role in establishing a form of precise realism that revitalised the American short story in the 1980s. This individual led a group of writers known as ‘dirty realists’ or ‘K-mart realists’. The narratives are situated inside the confines of caravan parks and shopping malls, depicting the mundane existence of individuals whose lives undergo a transformative shift triggered by an ostensibly inconsequential element. Carver demonstrates a rigorous economy in his writing, skillfully capturing the essence of life and evoking a similar effect as the paintings of Edward Hopper. In addition to his mastery in the short story genre, he demonstrated his proficiency as a poet by publishing numerous volumes that garnered high critical acclaim.
Following the significant event in Carver’s life known as the ‘line of demarcation’ on June 2, 1977, which marked the cessation of his drinking habits, his literary works exhibit a noticeable shift towards narratives that are more characterised by themes of redemption and expansiveness. The detrimental effects of alcohol consumption ultimately resulted in the deterioration of his physical well-being, professional endeavours, and familial relationships, culminating in the dissolution of his initial marriage in 1978. The individual ultimately entered into matrimony with Tess Gallagher, his partner of considerable duration, subsequent to their initial encounter at a writers’ conference in Dallas a decade prior. This union took place in Reno, Nevada, an only two months prior to his eventual demise resulting from his battle against cancer.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Book Summary
The anthology comprises a series of slice-of-life short stories characterised by their lack of definitive resolution and ambiguous endings. Surprisingly, despite this narrative structure, I found myself inexplicably drawn to and captivated by these tales.
Carver effectively capitalises on the economic benefits of yard sales, engages with professional photographers who provide their services, explores the concept of accidental death, participates in a night of bingo, engages in various activities and non-activities, and engages in conversations that lack substantive content.
As a reader, I had a sense of frustration when certain narratives lacked a clear resolution or failed to progress in a meaningful manner. The anticipation and desire for significant resolutions and conclusive outcomes were met with individuals evading confrontations while clutching ashtrays. However, these instances would present tiny glimpses into the intricacies of human behaviour, offering genuine insights into the complexities of our existence, evoking a profound emotional response.
I perused this literary work more than two decades ago, and regrettably, several details pertaining to the compilation have eluded my recollection. Nevertheless, one enduring impression that remains with me is the profound sense of silent despair that Carver evoked in relation to ordinary individuals whose lives had veered off course. During my time at college, I was filled with vitality and enthusiasm. The concept of middle-aged regret is typically beyond the comprehension of individuals in their youth. However, Carver’s work evoked inside me a profound sense of ambivalence and enduring anguish. The emotions experienced when reading this exquisite words are indeed worthy of enduring.