A review by realslimschaefy
What We Talk about When We Talk about Love by Raymond Carver

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was the first of Raymond Carver’s fiction I had read, and I went into it with high expectations that were not met. I see the lure of this collection and the vignettes— being dropped into someone’s world, then quickly removed without being able to ask any questions or understand the full context. However, Carver’s writing to me was very dry and to-the-point, which I know many people appreciate; but, I am someone who likes more flowery and prosaic writing, so this felt dull and a bit boring for my tastes. Some of the stories have shock value, but most are nothing absolutely wild that you couldn’t find (although two endings made me feel absolutely sick!), with greater emotional detail, in other works. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings