Thursday, July 23: Femme Fatale
EVERYBODY LOVES the OTHER RAYMOND, too
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
I have an affinity for Raymond Carver for a couple of reasons. Like me, he enjoyed Mickey Spillane novels and he cared about revitalizing the short story. I’m so pleased my friend, Kimberly Willis Holt, began a read-and-discuss group on Facebook based on Best American Short Stories Of The Century. The group is open globally until September 1 and as Kimberly classifies it “a casual group without deadlines.” Members are welcome to read any or all of the stories at their own pace. The only requirement is to put the title of the short story before the comment to not spoil it for those who haven’t read the story yet.
I chose first to read "Where I’m Calling From" probably simply because it was written by Raymond Carver. He didn’t disappoint me with this story. From the first sentence, I was drawn into the story as if I were sitting talking to a friend who was sharing his troubles over a back fence. This is yet another story where I hated to see the end. Even now, I’m thinking of the characters and wondering what happened next. Isn’t it lovely when a story makes you believe the characters are real?
“Where I’m calling From” concerns alcoholics in a drying-out facility. From what I’ve researched about Carver, he faced his own demons with alcohol, as had his father before him. I fear we all know someone close to us that has the same problem. The story is told without preaching, but just that it is a problem these people face daily and that it doesn’t just go away because they or others wish it would.
“We are on the front porch at Frank Martin’s drying-out facility.”
– first line of “Where I’m Calling From” by Raymond Carver
In this story, I especially enjoy that it’s told in first person. The pattern of Carver’s narrative makes me feel as if we’re confidants. The somber tone that I am listening to a friend share a secret. Maybe he just needs to talk. Maybe he needs someone to listen. When I realize my pulse is throbbing in my fingertips, it’s because I hold the book so tightly. Oh yes, Raymond Carver has captured my attention and I am caught up in the story now. I forget about my pulse or the sounds around me. I am another alcoholic listening to a pal’s life story.
I’ve often heard that writer’s should avoid first person and stick with third, but I agree with you that a first person story is like being a confidant. I enjoy it and wish more writer’s would write that way.
Thanks for anothr great column!
Lissa, third person is the present fashion in the romance world, but other genres embrace first person. According to RWA friends, that seems to be changing, but some romance editors refuse to consider any first person story.
Hi Leigh! Thanks for the info. Those romance editors are just wrong. :]]
I agree!
Both third person and first person are viable points of view. The choice depends on the story the writer wants to tell. Each has advantages and disadvantages. One is not inherently superior to the other. It all comes down to character and story and the demands of it.
Loved the Carver video clip. I’d like to see the whole doc. I need to search it out.
Thanks for posting it. Carver is one of my favorites, along with Andre Dubus.
This is as good a place to mention that You Tube is a gold mine of video/audio clips of writers. Thanks Deborah, for this article! I’ll have to find my Carver in my “library” and read “Where I’m Calling From.”