Raymond Carver's 'Cathedral' is a collection of stories that delve into the loneliness and struggles of ordinary American life. The stories are tightly packed and often unnerving, with a few showing a shift towards greater emotional depth and generosity. The reviewer appreciates Carver's ability to capture the meagerness and brittleness of his characters' lives, though some stories may feel cold or mannered.
Raymond Carver's 'Cathedral' is a collection of stories that explore the loneliness and struggles of ordinary American life. The stories are set in semi-industrial, often depressed towns, and feature plebeian loners who struggle to express themselves. Carver's writing is known for its tight, stylized form and abrupt rhythms, which create a sense of unease and panic. The reviewer notes that while many of the stories are skillful and moving, they can also feel emotionally meager and cold. However, a few stories in the collection, such as the title story 'Cathedral' and 'A Small, Good Thing,' show a shift towards greater emotional depth and generosity. The reviewer appreciates Carver's ability to capture the meagerness and brittleness of his characters' lives, though some stories may feel cold or mannered. Overall, the collection is a probing exploration of the waste and destructiveness that prevail beneath the affluence of American life.
Quick quotes
They cannot leave their chairs but must sit silently, fixed into anxiety.
Ordinary life is threatening; ordinary life is the enemy of ordinary people.
They swallowed the dark bread. It was like daylight under the fluorescent rays of light. They talked on into the early morning, the high pale cast of light in the windows, and they did not think of leaving.