Reviews

Fires by Raymond Carver

llustem's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

peachade's review

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emotional inspiring reflective relaxing

abe389's review

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked the stories & essays a lot more than the prose!!

aelumen's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lucasgregorini's review against another edition

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dark informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

joesmith's review

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emotional reflective sad

4.0

alexandra13's review

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

casparb's review

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3.0

This is my introduction to Carver, so I don't wish to make oeuvristic generalisations, but I think it serves that purpose wonderfully. Fires includes essays, a small collection of short stories, and fifty poems.

By far, I think the essays are the highlight to this book - particularly Carver's reflections on writing. The essay concerning his father is also worth a look.
The poems are more variable. Some are tedious, but I do enjoy the more self-consciously literary attempts, particularly those that refer to other authors. With the major exception of the Bukowski poem, which was a real lowlight of this book.

Despite Carver's evasive remarks upon literary influence, the short stories are incredibly Faulknerian, only situated in a slightly later America. Reminded me of the wonderful Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas

sydneyw7's review

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4.0

Raymond Carver was definitely inspired by Earnest Hemingway and it shows. He writes female stories really well!

andresreading's review

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5.0

This book contains some of Carver's most famous essays, poems and short stories. His essays are honest and simple, not trying to sound intellectual, but rather telling it as it is, from his own experiences; the poems have a peculiar touch; and the short stories are obviously masterfully crafted. I think it's a great introduction to Carver's works.