Will You Please Be Quiet, Please

I first bought and read this collection while an undergradat the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Carver wasn't then such arecognized master of the short story. Most striking was how pain-ful the stories were to read, and this was without the life experience one has gained since the late 1970's.Raymomd Carver already wrote the stories I was aspiring to; therewas nothing left but to obtain his wonderful story collections, and re-read them every five years or so. The stories become more harrowing the older one gets. I just can't be objective about this collection in particular, as it's been such a touchstone for me.

A beautifully written first book. Made me think of Jones Inn and also A Stranger in this World. You can really see the direct correlation between Carver and how he influenced two of the greatest writers of the 90's, Canty and Elliott.

Raymond Carver is my all-time favourite writer. I was hooked on his writings since the first time I read his book, which is this one. When I first finished reading this book some years ago, it changed my view in English literature altogether. What struck me was the stark honesty and reality in his writings. Never had I come across a writer who was as honest as Carver. He tells his stories the way life really is, without trying to twist, sensationalise or glamourise it. He tells stories about people like us. In fact, his stories are about us and the people around us.Don't be fooled by the length of his short stories, his shortest pieces like 'Neighbors' and 'Fat' are among his best (though I can't really point out any that is not his best anyway) because it tells so much in so little words.Another startling thing about Carver's stories is that it can relate to people everywhere in the world though he writes about Americans.

Carver is truly amazing, and not even at his peak in this collection. His stories, minimalist sketches of loss and inarticulation, have spawned an entire generation of imitations. Don't bother with them, read the best. And don't smoke.

Ray Carver is the American Short Story Master.I experienced stories such COLLECTORS, WHAT'S IN ALASKA?, THEY ARE NOT YOUR HUSBAND... and I was truly moved by the way the author describes America through "on the first sight" not important events that its marginalized inhabitants experience. The Robert Altman's SHORT CUTS gets on its real value when one gets introduced with the work of this great writer.