Haircut

by Ring Lardner

A barber regales a customer with stories about some of the characters in his small town.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literature, Classics, American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Ringgold Wilmer Lardner was an American sports columnist and short story writer best known for his satirical takes on the sports world, marriage, and the theatre.

Father of author Ring Lardner Jr.

Reviews

[Berengaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

short review for busy readers:
This short story (published 1925) is in long monologue form, using the vernacular of a chatty small town barber to tell the story of the life and death of a local "character". The crisp style and definition of the language is what makes this one so good, as well as the utter obliviousness of the barber to his subject.

In detail:
Jim was not a nice man. His cruel and sadistic tricks were passed off as comedy, or "being a real character" by the locals. None of the men in town ever thought he was anything other than a hoot, regardless of if some of the jokes targetted them or their wives.

The narrator of the story, the local barber, clearly misses the now deceased Jim. Through nattering on to a stranger who comes into his shop for a haircut, the barber relives some of Jim's most famous escapades, unwittingly showing up Jim for what he was, as well as revealing who killed him and why.

In a short bio, I read that many of Ring Lardner's famous writer friends all said the same thing: "Ring hates his characters". It was his misanthropy and dislike for human behaviour that held him back from becoming one of the greats of his generation. He just had to point the finger at shitheels and scumbags in his fiction. That didn't fly so well in the roaring 20s and 30s. If anything, however, that makes him unique among early 20th century writers.

A highly enjoyable read.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story with its unreliable narrator, who doesn't seem to see what clearly lies behind the words in his story about Jim Kimble, the town prankster. Short story perfection.

[Mostafa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
داستان یک آرایشگری که وقایع اخیر شهر را دارد برای فردی که تازه وارد آن شهر کوچک شده تعریف می کند
عموما، خواننده مبتدی احساس و عقلش را به دست راوی داستان می سپارد به طوری که هر چه راوی می گوید معمولا خواننده با آن همدل می شود.... اما در این داستان از همان ابتدا نویسنده می خواهد بگوید که الزاما این طور نیست و روایتگر داستان می تواند خودش یک شخصیت ناسالم و مخرب داشته باشد و این را از تناقض گویی هایش به دست می آوریم داستان این گونه است که آرایشگر به فرد جدیدالورود می گوید که ما در این شهر بهمون خیلی خوش می گذره خصوصا تا وقتی که جیم کندال زنده بود.... جیم کندال آدمی است که به نظر راوی شوخ و بامزه است اما از همان ابتدا متوجه می شویم که راوی اشتباه می کند یا دچار سوء گیری در روایت شده در بخشی می گوید "بداخلاق بود اما قلب پاکی داشت"" این صحبت راوی در مورد جیم نشان می دهد که ما به عنوان خواننده در طول داستان باید حواسمان را جمع کنیم و در دام همدلی عمومی با روایتگر نیفتیم... البته این شکل از روایت داستان عامدانه از سوی نویسنده اتخاد می شود چرا که از این طریق نویسنده می خواهد خواننده را درگیر کند و توجهش را جلب قصه کند، نویسنده از این طریق( ایجاد فاصله و اختلاف نظر بین راوی و خواننده) می خواهد خواننده را در یک موقعیت مشارکت فعال در داستان نگه دارد.... در داستان راوی که از شوخی های غیراجتماعی، خطرناک و غیرانسانی جیم خوشش آمده و آن را با اشتیاق تعریف می کند، می خواهد ملال و اندوه حاکم بر شهر را سرپوش بگذارد... لحن روایتگری عامی او نشان دهنده میزان سواد و فرهنگ پایین اجتماعی اوست... او یک آرایشکر تقریبا بی سواد است که فقط به دنبال خندیدن و خوش گذراندن است و چه کسی بهتر از جین که دائم به دنبال تمسخر و شوخی های خطرناک و دست اندختن دیگران حتی دیوانگان است
کاری که جیم می کند، یک واکنش نسبت به جامعه اش است او از کار اخراج شده ، بیکار است و کار درست و حسابی ندارد، همسر و فرزندانش را رها کرده و عملا دیگران خرج آنها را می دهند،، در اینجا روایتگر هیچ احساس انسانی نسبت به وضعیت او ندارد و او را شماتت نمی کند زیرا او دارد مردم شهر را با شوخی هایش و تمسخرهایش می خنداند... جیم فردی غیر مسئول است، و کارش تحقیر دیگران است او حتی در زمانی که شاغل بود هم با دیگران شوخی های خانمان برانداز میکند گویی سرشت او عجین شده است با رفتار های ضد اجتماعی و ناپسند ولی جامعه اش چون نیاز به خنده دارد این رفتارهای او را صرف نظر میکند و حتی به زن و بچه او هم مقداری پول می دهند تا بتوانند گذران زندگی کنند از آن طرف همیشه انتظار دارد که او انها را بخنداند ... در آخر هم او قربانی یکی از همین شوخیهایش می شود

[Valerie Book Valkyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Small Town Barber Stars rounded up to 3 Prankster Stars for a Most Satisfying Ending™
While I recognize, and do appreciate, the talent and skill that it takes to write a story of this ilk, the story itself I appreciate not so much.

At one time I had a friend, we'll call him by his real name, Bob, who had no appreciation for the sitcom Seinfeld. While I thought every episode was hilarious-VERY FUNNY- Bob would watch the show with me but failed to enjoy it at all. Now I know how Bob felt.

Yes, much like jewelry, enjoyment is a very personal thing. I encourage you to read this small town tale for free here: https://www.classicshorts.com/stories...
at 5046 words you can easily read it in 15min and, please, let me know what you think 🧚‍♀️🙋🏼.

Many thanks to gr Friend Berengaria, who not only derived much more satisfaction from this shorty than I did, but also put it on my radar. You can read her appreciative review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Connie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haircut is a monologue by a barber talking to a newcomer to his small town. He's telling his customer about Jim Kendall, a deceased man, who was considered a practical joker. The barber lacks the sensitivity to realize that Jim was a sadistic man who enjoyed humiliating his victims. The barber also seems clueless that the ending event might not have been an accident. It's a cleverly written satire of unsuccessful people who think that they look better because they've pushed other people down.

[Alam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to read but the concept was impressive

[Lemar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever stuck up a conversation in a small town diner with a seemingly innocuous local telling a meandering story, this story provides the end I've been waiting for. My Dad read this to my sister and me, this one and The Monkey's Paw made sure we would seek therapy as adults.

[Oziel Bispo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A estória é narrada em uma linguagem bem coloquial tipo a de Holden no livro de Salinger. É um conto muito divertido onde um barbeiro de uma cidade Americana se diverte com os mais variados tipos que aparecem. Zoam até com Paul que é um pouco devagar. ..mas não tão devagar assim!

[Hirdesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally dead being so clumsy ! !

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid-20th Century North American Crime and Mystery
1925: Short story
The focus here is on Lardner's style, and it is certainly original. Different enough to cover a buried goal of the narrator.
HOOK: 3-"I got another barber..." and we're off.
PACE: 3-The author uses few words nicely
PLOT: 4-Buried carefully.
CAST: 4-A barber/narrator talks about Jim, and we're told Jim 'got killed' by the second paragraph. But we don't know why till the end of the story.
ATMOSPHERE: 3-A barber shop, one afternoon.
Summary: 3.4-Heavy on style, clever.

[Glenn Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short story once I became familiar with the language. Narrated by a local small town barber in one long monologue. The story is about Jim who the barber and most of the other local men think is the funniest guy ever. The reality is that Jim is an awful human being who gets his kicks from being cruel to others. In the end he meets his demise and the reader is left to speculate as to whether it was due to murder or an unfortunate accident. Thank you Valerie for the recommendation and link.

[Behdad Ahmadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک داستان کوتاه بسیار روان و سرگرم کننده.

[Ritu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expertly narrated. And fuck, what a goddamn tool Jim is.

[غزاله · Rating 3 out of 5]

زاویه دید داستان است که داستان را برجسته می‌کند.
شیرین و روان، اما کامل نه.

[Fo · Rating 3 out of 5]

باحال بود و کوچک، خود راوی هم باحال بود

[Sohail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first review of this short story. I gave it 4 stars back then:

Ha ha! Finally met his match at making 'practical' jokes!

The following text is not a review of this short story. It is not even related to this short story. Read it only if you are interested in psychology.

I had forgotten the story. Today I read it for a second time as a part of another book and I was shocked, more than anything by my own review. How could I have been so cruel? Of course this is fiction and the guy is an a**hole, but the punishment that he receives for his stupidity is unjust, more severe than what he deserved. Today, my older self's reaction seems unlikely. Yet there it is.

Now, from a psychological point of view this is very interesting, because I as a human being seem to have had an opinion very different from (almost opposed to) what I have now. If I had left a more detailed review, I could have analyzed my psychological metamorphosis. Sadly that's not the case, and all I can rely on is guesswork.

Was I less empathetic back then? Did I not believe in justice and fairness as much as I do now? Has the concept of death found a more significant meaning for me (maybe because of the coronavirus pandemic)? Or perhaps I was more capable of understanding humor in fiction, or more capable of differentiating fact from fiction in the past. I don't know the answer, but the second reading of this short story gave me a priceless opportunity to contemplate human nature, change of personality, volatility of opinion, and myself. I am thankful for that.

[Meysameus · Rating 4 out of 5]

دار و ندارمون توی دنیای قصه‌ی سلمونی، حرف‌های راویه که پیرایشگره و توی زندگیمون پیرایشگر راوی زیاد دیدیم. پس از همون اول بهش اعتماد می‌کنیم و جهان رو از دریچه‌ی دید اون می‌شناسیم. کم کم با رفتارها و عادت‌های جیم آشنا می‌شیم که گویا جاش خالیه و کاراکتر اصلی داستان هم هست. یواش یواش از طریق خرده روایت‌ها با شخصیت‌های دیگه‌ی شهر هم آشنا می‌شیم و از طریق رابطه‌شون با جیم، تصویرمون ازش هم تغییر می‌کنه. توی ۲۵ صفحه کلی احساسات مختلف رو تجربه می‌کنیم. شاید نقطه‌ی اوجش وقتیه که جولی بعد از اینکه توی خونه‌ش از دست جیم قسر در رفت، گول خورده و دم مطب دکتر منتظره و جیم هم داره با دار و دسته‌ش اونو می‌پاد. و البته بعدش که منتظر انتقامِ پسره‌‌یِ فیلمیم! توی یه داستان کوتاه این‌قدر نگران یه کاراکتر فرعی شدن و استرس گرفتن مخاطب، هنریه که باید بخاطرش به نویسنده آفرین گفت. لحن داستان و راوی و سیاه و سفید تعریف نکردن ماجرا، باعث می‌شه یه جاهایی با راوی موافق نباشیم و بخاطر حرف‌هاش توی دلمون سرزنشش کنیم؛ که این باعث می‌شه حرف‌هاش واقعی به نظر بیاد. انگار که کاملاً ممکنه همچین چیزی رو به شب توی یه سلمونی بشنویم. پازل داستان هم جوری چیده شده که آخرش آخیش بگیم و قاتل رو هم بخاطر مشکلات ذهنیش چندان بهش سخت نگیریم. البته که از نظر اخلاقی بین دوراهی گیر میوفته آدم. آیا دکتر همون‌طور که پیرایشگر تعریف می‌کنه، از عمد تخم این عمل رو توی ذهن قاتل می‌کاره؟
در آخر هم بگم که چقدر ترجمه‌ی روان و دلچسبی داشت!

[Kalyani Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ring Lardner's Haircut is a one-way conversation piece and is well written. Lardner uses irony and dramatic narration to talk about a well-built evil and shallow Jim Kendall. Whitey the barber doesn't perceive Jim to be anything but an innocent practical joker who meant no harm. I appreciate how nicely Lardner could bring out the sharp contrast of how people react to a Jim Kendall in a community.

A small town barber in an unnamed town near Carterville tells his customer (who is new in the town) about a Jim Kendall. The barber even keeps his shaving mug after Jim's demise. As the story progresses we see how shallow a person is Jim Kendall and how ignorant is the barber who mistakes Jim's evil deeds for innocent pleasure and practical jokes. What is just a not-on-good-terms-with-the-wife to the barber, is a full-fledged domestic ignorance and violence for the wife. Contrasts like these have been brought out really well. Ultimately, though the barber doesn't understand it, Jim pays for his practical jokes and a very dear price at that. And the irony did satisfy me.

[Mpj · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک داستانِ کوتاه و خوشخوان که تا نوبت اصلاحِ مویِ سرتان برسد میتواند سرگرمتان کند!

[Tábata Kotowiski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corte de Cabelo, conto escrito por Ring Lardner, renomado autor e jornalista norte-americano do início do século XX e primeira vez traduzido para o Brasil pela Balão Editorial.

A história é contada em primeira pessoa por um barbeiro na fictícia cidade de Black Bear, Illinois. O narrador é conhecido por seu senso de humor peculiar e pela maneira como ele narra eventos cotidianos. O conto começa de maneira aparentemente casual, com ele relatando uma série de acontecimentos triviais em sua barbearia.

À medida que a narrativa avança, fica evidente que algo mais sinistro está acontecendo. O conto culmina em uma reviravolta chocante mas conta a história de uma maneira tão descontraída que a gravidade da situação só se torna clara no final.

Lardner tem uma habilidade única em subverter as expectativas do leitor. Ele utiliza o estilo de um narrador não confiável para criar uma desconexão entre o tom leve e a seriedade do que está sendo narrado. Isso faz com que o leitor reavalie a história à medida que percebe a verdadeira natureza dos eventos.

O conto está disponível para leitura no Kindle Unlimited.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Read, I mean John Lithgow read this to me during his one man show John Lithgow - Stories by Heart. Definitely fun when it's read/performed by such a great actor.

[Arman Keshavarzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

من بدون شک دیگه به این سلمونی نخواهم رفت.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tone is perfect, as a garrulous barber inadvertently reveals the character and cruelty of a murder victim. I'm looking forward to reading more Ring Lardner stories someday!

[Dani (The Pluviophile Writer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed the style of writing in this story as I feel it really captured the time period and the small town atmosphere.

I felt extreme satisfaction with the ending of this story. I'm not sure exactly what the moral of it is but I appreciate what finally happened to Jim. I also enjoyed the narrator, he seemed to actually like Jim, but was not all that surprised with what happened to him.

[Arun · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written in colloquial American English. His style of writing perhaps, but to conventional English users like me, it is both incomprehensible and annoying.
I must admit that I didn't understand the theme/moral of this writ. It speaks of a town and various people who live in there. A lot of people come in the plot, but the whole is concentrated upon a person named "Jim." Not much impressed...

[Sepideh Tafazzoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that made me give this 5 stars was def. the last sentence of the story! It kinda reveals the whole talkative personality of the barber which was funny & amusing at the same time! *thumbs up*

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

The short story, mastered: compelling narrative, deeply ironic without being didactic, a tour-de-force about banal immorality, both of the actor Jim and of the profoundly obtuse narrator, the chuckling barber. What is proffered as amusing is actually a scary tale about depravity and complicity.

[Ehsan Bigharaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

سرگرم‌کننده بود اما نه سطحی نه عمیق. متوسط و در عین‌حال گیرا. سوژه دقیق انتخاب شده‌‌است، خیلی دقیق. از این‌رو صحبت‌های آن آقای آرایشگر و همچنین پرحرفی‌های او باورپذیر به‌نظر می‌آید.

۲ اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۱

[Sevgi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was tragic! Well, also funny. The last sentence was the most amusing part but I can't say I really liked the entire work.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Haircut" is short story involving a talkative barber, first published about 1925.
I found this online at: classicshorts.com