In 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,' Raymond Carver masterfully explores the complexities of human relationships through a gripping conversation between two couples. As the characters delve into their perceptions of love, the narrative uncovers their vulnerabilities, fears, and the unspoken truths that lie beneath the surface. Each story reveals the raw, often painful realities of love, illuminating its misunderstandings and conflicts. With stark, evocative prose, Carver captures the essence of what it means to connect—or fail to connect—with others. This compelling collection invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with love and the intricate web of emotions that can accompany it.
By Raymond Carver
Published: 1989
"I just want to love you, and I want you to love me too. This is all that matters."
The most celebrated story collection from “one of the true American masters” (The New York Review of Books)—a haunting meditation on love, loss, and companionship, and finding one’s way through the dark that includes the iconic and much-referenced title story featured in the Academy Award-winning film Birdman. "Raymond Carver's America is ... clouded by pain and the loss of dreams, but it is not as fragile as it looks. It is a place of survivors and a place of stories.... [Carver] has done what many of the most gifted writers fail to do: He has invented a country of his own, like no other except that very world, as Wordsworth said, which is the world to all of us." —The New York Times Book Review
Raymond Carver (1938-1988) was an influential American short story writer and poet, acclaimed for his minimalist writing style and the portrayal of working-class life. His notable works include 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,' 'Cathedral,' and 'Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?' Carver's stories often explore themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships, characterized by sparse prose and a focus on dialogue. His contribution to literature and the short story form has left a lasting impact on contemporary fiction.
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“I just want to love you, and I want you to love me too. This is all that matters.”
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
By Raymond Carver
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