Carver | shortsonline

I Could See the Smallest Things

shortsonline — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:00:34 +0000

Quick Read by Raymond Carver. A woman’s encounter with a neighbour tending his garden in the middle of the night highlights the differences in their lives. He has moved on from problems in his life, while she and her husband live alienated, unsatisfying lives, too afraid to embrace change.

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Fat

shortsonline — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 21:17:34 +0000

Short Story by Raymond Carver. In this powerful story about body shaming, a waitress's co-workers (including her insensitive partner) dehumanize a customer by making fun of his size. They have no empathy for the person within. The experience greatly affects the waitress, who believes her life is going to change.

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Popular Mechanics (Mine / Little Things)

shortsonline — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 21:27:15 +0000

Quick Read by Raymond Carver. The only point of argument in a divorce settlement seems to be which parent will be the main carer for the couple’s baby. Unfortunately, the simple mechanics of a newly formed human body lead to a “Solomon-like” solution that will not please either of them.

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Cathedral

shortsonline — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 06:43:14 +0000

Short Story by Raymond Carver. A troubled, disillusioned man with a cynical view of the world is suddenly confronted by his metaphorical blindness. The climax comes following a discussion about cathedrals. The man can see but can’t describe (visualize) them. A blind man teaches him how.

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What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

shortsonline — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:04:28 +0000

Short Story by Raymond Carver. Two couples discuss ‘love’ over drinks. They are far from experts; each member has experienced a failed marriage. None of them can define love, but they do manage to give examples of what it is and isn’t, and what can go wrong when it ends.

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A Small, Good Thing

shortsonline — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:18:20 +0000

Novelette by Raymond Carver. Parents mount a vigil by their unconscious son’s hospital bed. Whenever one of them goes home to freshen up and feed the family dog, they receive prank phone calls mentioning the boy’s name. The boy dies after three days, but the calls continue.

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Why Don’t You Dance?

shortsonline — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:48:02 +0000

Short Story by Raymond Carver. A young couple interested in buying furniture stop at a yard sale. The middle-aged vendor offers the couple whiskey, puts on some music, and suggests that they dance. Although we aren’t told what happens next, the girl is clearly troubled by it for weeks..

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Where I’m Calling From

shortsonline — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:56:07 +0000

Short Story by Raymond Carver. Two strangers who meet at an alcohol drying-out retreat assist each other on the road to recovery. After one describes the damage drinking has caused to his life and that of his family, both decide to face up to their demons.

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