Collection of short stories. Very well written, I like Carver style of writing. It seems I can't find one extra word in is sentence ;). I didn't like his stories: they are too pessimistic and almost every character is alcoholic. ( )

While "Where I'm Calling From" and "Cathedral" are probably two of the best short-stories in American literature, the rest of the stories in this collection don't reach the same high-water mark. These are snapshots into the mundane lives of ordinary people - which may be poetic in one sense but makes for a boring read in another. While there isn't much happening in the stories, Carver's pacing is also painfully slow at times. Nonetheless, Carver is a master of the craft - what he does with point-of-view is amazing. I recommend this book to all short-story writers - take notes - there's much to learn from Carver's style. ( )

3554. Cathedral: Stories, by Raymond Carver (read Sept 25, 2000) This is a book of 12 short stories, and while like most short stories these days the endings don't seem all that conclusive, on reflection they say things. ( )

A touchstone, foundational book for me, one of the best collections by one of the best authors of short fiction of our time. Only Carver's own _Will You Please Be Quiet Please_ and _What We Talk About When We Talk About Love_ can rival it...

As crazy as it is to compare quality across time or genre, if I have to this book will be in the top 20.

If you haven't read Carver, don't listen to the misguided labels (dirty realism, minimalism)... his work is so much more than those shallow appraisals that, to be charitable, come from the kind of assessment you would expect only from rushed, third-rate newspaper (and now blog) hacks. ( )

reminiscent of hemingway in his simple prose, the stories are not always there. some of these pieces are vignettes, as they do not have a perceivable climax or denouement. in fact, sometimes it seems the piece simply ends without any notice. i like reading these and do get a feeling of wonder from them. maybe he has a style all his own, but if he does, it can get better. ( )