Dana Wendel’s Reviews > Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? > Status Update

“Put Yourself in My Shoes” - Reminded me a lot of the family dinner scene from “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”. I love how characters in Carver’s stories fall into their roles almost in a trance. All of these characters, except for Myers, had this role that they played and each fell into it in this uncanny way. Loved the meta aspect of storytelling as a them as well.

“The Student’s Wife” - When people don’t realize they can save themselves, they turn to God.

“Collectors” - Thought this story would be about debt collectors, and maybe it was in a weird way? Felt like the vacuum salesman was definitely invasive even though he was helping. The letter also belonged to the author, and was taken inexplicably. Wonder what was in it?

“Night School” - I am always interested in how Carver creates these diverted story lines in such a short time period. Of all of the places this could go, again he chose to remain all before the “action” of the piece and even let that sizzle out, but in a lot of ways this is more reflective of life.

“What’s in Alaska?” - A classic Raymond Carver portrait of marriage, told in his signature surreal style. Again, something supernatural or otherworldly about this story, like there’s something happening beneath the surface. Very unique and loved the way Carver used this onslaught of words and dialogue to create that feeling of inebriation.

“Sixty Acres” - “Yet he could not understand why he felt something crucial had happened, a failure. But nothing had happened.” This feels so much like a thesis for all of Carver’s stories in many ways, but particularly for this story. The way he expresses the daily anxieties of people as if they are novel, just to slam you into reality moments later. He is masterful.

“The Father” - unsettling
“Nobody Said Anything” - This piece had a very supernatural feel to it, especially when it came to the fish. There was something significant about it that I and the narrator couldn’t put our finger on. Interesting perspective to be put in. Also so heartbreaking when juxtaposed with the child’s real life that he has to go back to.

“Are You A Doctor?” - Another example of a story where most authors might have started where Carver left off, or at least kept going. Carver creates a beautiful emotion by letting that be filled in by the reader. We all know what is going to happen basically from the beginning, it is all about how those moments are painted.

“The Idea” - There are some Carver stories that are particularly surrealist, this is one of them. Couldn’t quite pin the entire meaning of the ending, but enjoyed the setting and the premise
“They’re Not Your Husband” - The idea of making your wife “marketable” and the symbol of weight as imprinting and abusing was very poignant. Love how he can create horror in the simplest of things

“Neighbors” - What a haunting tale of “grass is always greener”. Almost reminds me of the “Why Don’t You Dance?” story from WWTAWWTAL. Loved the feeling of unease this brought, and the hidden characters of the two leads that were revealed by the neighbors’ apartment were expertly and again, hauntingly, relayed, almost as if they are freed by the environment of this other couple.