By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘The Father’ is one of Raymond Carver’s shortest stories. It is more of a sketch or even, perhaps, a piece of ‘flash fiction’ than a ‘short story’ in the conventional sense; but then one of the things that great writers in the short-story form have always done is make us question the very conventions of the form.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘Popular Mechanics’ is one of Raymond Carver’s shortest stories, but although it is sometimes known by the alternative title ‘Little Things’, there is nothing ‘little’ about this tale of filial breakdown and domestic unhappiness.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘Happiness’ is a poem by the American writer Raymond Carver (1938-88). Carver is probably best-known for his short stories, especially the anthology favourite ‘What We Talk about When We Talk about Love’, but he was also a gifted poet, and his poetry helps us to clarify our understanding of his work as a whole.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘Cathedral’ is perhaps the most widely studied of all the short stories of Raymond Carver (1938-88). The story is narrated by a man whose wife has invited her friend, a blind man named Robert, to come and stay with them. Although he is initially uncomfortable and even scathing about their guest, the narrator eventually bonds with Robert and comes to realise something valuable.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘What We Talk About When We Talk About Love’ is perhaps the best-known short story by the American writer Raymond Carver (1938-88). The story sees four characters, who form two romantic couples, sitting around one afternoon and drinking gin while they discuss the meaning of love.