Wired for Books guestbook for the discussion of Raymond Carver, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and Leo Tolstoy

Thank you for visiting Wired for Books: Community Reconsidered. We would love for you to join the discussion we are having here. This is where you can post your comments, questions, ideas and opinions about the readings.

Listen to Marilyn and Edgar with special guest scholars, Daniel Born, Annette Oxindine, Peter Heidtmann, and Vattel Rose as they discuss the works of Raymond Carver, Zora Neale Hurston, Leo Tolstoy and Toni Morrison. If you'd rather read the transcripts the old-fashioned way, they are available here: Carver transcripts, Hurston transcripts, Tolstoy transcripts, and Morrison transcripts.

And now we have the questions and answer recordings in RealAudio. Listen as Marilyn and Edgar discuss the questions and comments that you had about the novels and short stories in Carver Q&A, Hurston Q&A, Tolstoy Q&A, and Morrison Q&A.

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Our guestbook is now closed. The postings (1997-2003) are in reverse chronological order. The oldest post is at the bottom of the page.

Thanks for visiting!

I really enjoyed Zora Neale Hurston's, "Their eyes were watching God". It taught an important lesson about valuing your own opinion about yourself over the judgments and accusations of others. In the end, Janie learns to accept the lot she has come out with in life, and has made the most of her situation and struggles with racism/prejudices about being female. At first, I was frustrated about the difficult dialect of this book, but after you get through the first few chapters the story is interesting and enriching in an abundance of ways.
Melisa <anonymousnemo52@ yahoo.com>
Pa USA - Wednesday, January 08, 2003 at 10:54:55 (EST)

What is meant by writing an essay in "PRINT" only.
Jose Philip <rocklandboys@hotmail.com>
Nanuet, NY USA - Monday, January 06, 2003 at 08:43:10 (EST)

I have to write a term paper by monday...and i cannot find criticisms on raymond carver....if anyone knows where i can find any please e-mail me!
Suzie <SuzieSweets23@aol.com>
Bronx, ny USA - Saturday, January 04, 2003 at 20:58:37 (EST)

very nice site....i come again, Jörg.
Senftenberg Hotels Pensionen <info@pension-senftenberg.de>
Senftenberg, Brandenburg Deutschland - Saturday, January 04, 2003 at 12:51:59 (EST)

Thought I would sign! "There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
Dani
USA - Saturday, January 04, 2003 at 10:02:45 (EST)

If you are interested in Toni Morrison's "Sula", "Tar Baby" and "Jazz", visit my website: www.morrisontoni.org/
Dr. Amrik Singh Saini <amriksaini@yahoo.com>
Sacramento, CA USA - Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 20:54:01 (EST)

what are the 10 questions the women have, starting on page 2, about Janie. "their eyes were watching god".
Joe <AmrcnGrl27S@aol.com>
USA - Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 12:24:59 (EST)

I HAVE ONE QUESTION, CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE SEVEN ELEMENTS WHICH ARE : HOUSE, FAMILY, MOTHER, CAT, DOG, AND FRIEND CORRESPOND TO OR COMMENTS ON PECOLA BREEDLOVE'S LIFE?
YVONNE WILLIAMS <GLAMOURGIRL1982@MSN.COM>
DETROIT, MI USA - Monday, December 09, 2002 at 12:17:21 (EST)

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THE BLUEST EYES WAS A VERY ASTONISHING BOOK, AND THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT ALL ENGLISH TEACHERS SHOULD TEACH A LESSON ON THIS BOOK. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO READ, AND IT ALSO WENT INTO DEPTH WITH THE REALITY WORLD OF THE PAST AND ALSO OF THE FUTURE ON HOW MOST "POOR BLACK" PEOPLE VIEW THERE LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THE "RICH WHITES".
yvonne williams <glamourgirl1982@msn.com>
detroit, mi USA - Monday, December 09, 2002 at 12:14:03 (EST)

Hello! I'm a french student, and i've chosen the matter "Women in Carver's work" as a subject for my thesis. Could you help me to find more links about this subject? Thanks for your help, I really enjoy your discussions!!
Eva <evanthony@aol.com>
toulon, france - Friday, November 29, 2002 at 06:19:19 (EST)

In Morrsion's Paradise, does anyone know who the white girl is that they shoot first? If so, how did you figure that out? I've read the book twice!
Alison
USA - Monday, November 25, 2002 at 21:41:14 (EST)

I loved reading the book. I was just wondering about Hurston and "Janie." They are similar in some ways. How is the book related to Hurston's view on marriage.
Shauna Jenkins <elz99@aol.com>
USA - Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 21:35:55 (EST)

Hi, can anyone explain what the role of music is in T.Morrison's The Bluest Eye?
Anna
USA - Sunday, November 17, 2002 at 11:48:17 (EST)

I am so glad to find so many people so completely mad of Raymond carver's writing i have to say i really enjoyed reading his short stories in which any advised reader may find answers to any everyday life issue. Being a third year english student i have to tell the truth: in France i had never before read so realistic stories being so deep. i hope my English is understandable i am sorry not to be able to produce a better English but i must tell i do the best i can.To finish with i 'd like to say i would be thankful to anyone who could help me find more information about the theme of the visible and the invisible in his collection "where i am calling from"
melanie pierre <fat78190@yahoo.fr>
st quentin, France - Monday, November 11, 2002 at 09:18:42 (EST)

KMOV-TV Channel 4 in St. Louis is hosting a live online chat with Anchor Vickie Newton on "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Please join us on Tuesday, November 12, 2002, at 7 p.m. Central Time. To join us, go to http://kmov.com/education/bookclub.html or http://www.kmov.com/cgi-bin/discuss/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=bookclub.
Stacey Bohning <sbohning@kmov.com>
St. Louis, MO USA - Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 20:52:38 (EST)

Can you tell me where I can find a FREE critique/analysis of Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics"
Skip
USA - Sunday, November 03, 2002 at 20:44:45 (EST)

This is the worst book ever next to "house on mango street". Hurston is a worthless leftist who couldn't write her way out of first grade test. I hate this damn commie book. I'm trying to find negative reviews of this book for English and for some reason everybody likes this. send me any negative reviews you can find. Death to Zora!
John McCool <johnmccool21@yahoo.com>
Austin, Tx USA - Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 09:38:11 (EST)

A Great Website, thanks
Vrindavan <vrindavan2378@yahoo.com>
USA - Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 21:08:12 (EST)

Greetings to Lovers of Zora Neale Hurston's Work's. I attended the Zora Neale Hurston Tea Salon at Central Park. I would like to know if any members of this forum attended. And I would like to know your comments. -The NY Times Newspaper published an informative review. In the Spirit, Cassandra-Meroe Wimbs, MS. MA.
Cassandra M. Wimbs (Meroe) <cmw8351@hotmail.com>
NY USA - Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 22:41:07 (EDT)

I was first introduced to Raymond Carver in my Literature class in college. I truly enjoyed reading his short story, "Neighbors." I am actually in the process of doing some research on his work and am having difficulty locating resources depicting the area in which I would like to analyze this particular story. Any suggestions?
Jaclyn <jumpingjax2000@yahoo.com>
Glenolden, PA USA - Friday, September 27, 2002 at 23:14:03 (EDT)

Just surfing. A wise man will always change his mind . . a fool never will
Peter aus dem Saarland <pHoffman@t-online.de>
Saarland, Germany - Thursday, September 19, 2002 at 06:37:27 (EDT)

i read the Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and i was wandering why it's called the The Bluest Eye(singular), and not the Bluest Eyes(plural). If it is possible, can someone answer my question?
Simone <sassiebutclassy3@aol.com>
pembroke pines, fl USA - Saturday, September 07, 2002 at 15:54:12 (EDT)

Be sure to listen to the interviews with Toni Morrison and Raymond Carver, available in RealAudio at Wired for Books.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, September 06, 2002 at 16:08:34 (EDT)

Greetings, My main areas on Hurston's works are 1) Her color system and their comparative meanings 2) HIgh John de Conquer', Shango and Jesus 3) Her traditional Healing Systems as compared with others of the African Diaspora. My favorite works of hers are 1) Mules and Men 2) Moses Man of the Mountain 3) High John de Conquer' Now since she said that the Bible was the best Conjure, I am thinking that she knew of a psalm system as some spiritual workers' I've met do. I have reason to suppose that psalm 56 is the psalm for High John. We are planning to have a High John and 7 African powers event just to see if there is enough interest in doing one for the Harlem Book Fair. I was going to do it in December,but a Sango priestess objected. I respected her wishes, but I could tell that she hadn't done much research on his retentions and survivals in the West, i.e. Junkanoo. For many reasons, I keep missing the Eatonville Festival. This January I will be there. I used her works in my UC Berkeley Folklore Thesis on Black belief,practices and theory and in my Traditional Healing Systems of the AFrican Diaspora Conference, which has been transcribed and published on a small run. Stay in touch, Cm Wimbs ROOTS Institute Let me know what else is known about High John as an African Retention.
Cassandra M. Wimbs of R.O.O.T.S. Institute for African Diaspora Folklife <cmw8351@hotmail.com>
Jamaica, NY USA - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 03:15:48 (EDT)

I've done research work on the novels of Toni Morrison. She has inspired me beyond words and I've left my country and my cushy job of a principal in a high school in India. I've joined as a Faculty in Kempner High School, Houston, TX last month and look forward meeting this charismatic writer soon. She's a rare treasure for the whole world indeed.
Dr. Ritu Basant <drritubasant@rediffmail.com>
Houston, TX USA - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 01:22:55 (EDT)

If someone can help me answer these questions by 7/15 that would be most appreciated: What role does Mrs. Turner play in the novel? What role do the Porch Sitters play in the novel? Doest Hurston use the role of these characters to make universal statements? How do they contribute to the novel?
Teresa <liltrace86@hotmail.com>
Orlando, FL USA - Monday, July 15, 2002 at 19:49:20 (EDT)

alt.authors.raymond-carver ask that it be added to your news server
f sheff
USA - Saturday, June 22, 2002 at 18:51:23 (EDT)

HI there, it is a great site but i want a favour from anyone from u which is.to wirte to me essay on(in well argumentative essay discuss the significant of sula presence in the novel mainly to shadrack,the bottom community,eva and nel......and thanks very much please send it to me at my email which is suheir00@hotmail.com or at hugo4woman2000@yahoo.com
suheir <suheir00@hotmail.com>
Palestine, USA - Saturday, June 22, 2002 at 11:28:33 (EDT)

I would love to get an opinion on the writing styles of Carver.. and the interpretation of some of his work
Merry <gatorpooks@hotmail.com>
Gainesville, fl USA - Friday, June 07, 2002 at 08:54:16 (EDT)

Great site! Like to submit a recommendation. I’m always on the lookout for quality fiction that’s off of the beaten path and recently found a real gem. The book is called STRIP CUTS and is written by David Drayer. It’s sort of a coming-of-age story, but it’s also about numerous characters in a small Pennsylvania town. Think Catcher in the Rye and Winesburg, Ohio with a twenty-first century kick. Very funny, but touching and sad too. Our reading group is a very mixed bag: seven women and three men ranging in age from twenty-four to fifty-one and everyone LOVED IT. I’ve yet to see it a bookstore but Amazon has it, of course, and there are a lot of good reviews of it there too. Check it out! Zachary
Zach Whitmer <zwhitmer@socal.rr.com>
San Diego, CA USA - Friday, May 31, 2002 at 01:07:04 (EDT)

I think that this book would have been more interesting to me if the dialect wasn't so confusing.
Marcus Parker <marcusxx2bellsouth.net>
birmingham, al USA - Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 23:49:11 (EDT)

hi, my name is Matan. i'm sorry to bother u. i was wondering if u could help me. long time ago i bumped into a ray carver song. it was something about old friends, and how good they are. i don't remember anything about this song. i thought maybe u know something and u can help me. so please, if u know a song like this, copy-paste it for me if u have it, or tell me how to find it. if not, maybe at lease u can tell me where to search. forums maybe, or i dont know... thanx very much. sorry again matan
matan <matan_b@hotmail.com>
- Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 20:02:33 (EDT)

I have a question on the short story "Cathedral". Why has Carver chosen this name for his story. Any idea?
Tobias Aumüller <t.aumueller@t-online.de>
USA - Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 10:09:34 (EDT)

It seems like a lot of people are sort of missing the point in discussing Carver here. The way I look at things, literature is not a puzzle to be put together, and all discussion of "themes" and "what this or that symbol 'means'" is entirely irrelevant to the experience of the art itself. If after reading something, you are told that some event "signifies" this or that, this really does not change the experience you had with it. Instead of wondering what the "theme" of a story is, or what some symbol "means," it makes more sense to me to just enjoy the experience for whatever it was, and not worry about trying to express in words what exactly was good about it (which very often is not really something that can be expressed in words). Most of the time, it just seems like people discuss these things just to sound "deep." It's pretty dumb, I think, and most authors I've talked to agree--they hate literary analysis. Just some thoughts, feel free to email if you agree or disagree, whatever.
Jay Green <jjgreen8@hotmail.com>
USA - Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 00:58:10 (EDT)

I am writing a paper on the story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver. My thesis is: The final word in the story "What We Talk..." is 'dark'. In what ways does the story end in moral, emotional and physical darkness? Will you please comment on it? I need all the help I can get. Thank You :)
Iwona Fracz <kielichowa@o2.pl>
Elblag, Poland - Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at 17:19:25 (EDT)

Their Eyes Were Watching God symbolizes a transitional period in African American Literature. Hurston takes the African American novel to the genre of romance, and a liberation of the protagonists (Janie) through three different marriages. Hurston uses beautiful symbolism throughout the novel, and she implies that an African American women can be free. Janie learns what the struggle is like to break away from the stereotypical notions that were placed on African American women during the early 19th Century. Though not well accepted at first, this novel is finally getting the recognition that it deserves among the scholarly merits. Finally, this novel gave me a new impression of the African American culture, and I formulated a deep respect of what this culture has had to endure throughout the ages of slavery, early post-slavery (separate but equal law passed in 1896), and today.
Ron Yorko <ryorko@hotmail.com>
Chester, WV USA - Friday, April 26, 2002 at 15:58:10 (EDT)

i think this sucks it has like no info and i dont think iam going to come to this website i mean info place again THIS SUCKS
lindsay <the_stiffmister_20@htoamil.com>
coquitlam, B.C canada - Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 14:30:03 (EDT)

I need information about "song of Solomon" by tony Morrison, I´ll be thanked if you send me any kind of information, esp. about chapter 1
Marcela Calerame <marciaemarelac@yahoo.com>
Bs.as., Argentina - Friday, April 19, 2002 at 14:16:46 (EDT)

I am writing a paper entitled Self And Community In Beloved. My thesis:The recuperation of African American history cannot be achieved independent of black community Any comment on the the thesis. I need some help.
pweiqiang <pweiqiang@hotmail.com>
USA - Friday, April 19, 2002 at 12:22:54 (EDT)

I am writing a paper entitled Self And Community In Beloved. My thesis;The recuperation of African American history cannot be achieved independent of black community Any comment on the the thesis. I need some help.
pweiqiang <pweiqiang@hotmail.com>
USA - Friday, April 19, 2002 at 12:21:56 (EDT)

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Akranes, ICELAND - Friday, April 12, 2002 at 22:37:12 (EDT)

Is there anyone with a good psychoanalytic analysis of the Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral," defining the id, super-ego, and the ego?
Jason Barron <jasonb98383@yahoo.com>
USA - Wednesday, April 10, 2002 at 07:09:34 (EDT)

I am writing a paper on the short story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" the author Raymond Carver. My thesis: Portrays the conflicts various characters fail in their quest to find their own interpretations of love. Will you please comment on this thesis? I need all the help I can get. A.S.A.P Thank You
Betty Owens <Willie_Betty Owens>
Covina, Ca USA - Friday, April 05, 2002 at 16:08:32 (EST)

Will you please give me a literary analysis on What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Thank You
Betty Owens <Willie_Betty@hotmail.com>
Covina, Ca USA - Friday, April 05, 2002 at 02:13:55 (EST)

Invented by engineers from CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences), patented in both UK and China, OO EED is designed for the improvement of both the eye blood circulation and ourishing of the histiocyte. By means of alternately exercising the eye muscles-contraction and relation during the therapy period, it can reach the goal of removing visual fatigue and improving eyesight. visit our website for details,thx
Leonard Neo <nlx2k@yahoo.com.cn>
beijing, bj china - Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 02:22:36 (EST)

I am not the Famous One I am not the famous one! But my pain was equal to his! He became Chekhov. I became Alfie. The meanness of the streets that spawned us, made him a literary oak, while I became the hollow man, looking both outward and inward for substance not yet there. His legend established, his journey ended. My mediocrity lingers long, yet unexplained! He lived close to the ‘Fairgrounds’ while I climbed it’s fence in a black leather jacket, collar turned up, white T-shirt underneath, scowling, announcing a manhood not yet achieved. He was raised by an alcoholic, itinerant father. My flesh grew as the devil ranted, my spirit beneath his feet, no handhold to raise itself. He had no inside plumbing on 15th street. In the alley at 407 and a half North 1st, I had beer bottles on Sunday and hunger by Wednesday. His father wrested a living from the same mill that filled my friend Jimmy with water, taking away his profanity and leaving his mother with hair turned white overnight. Death still not understood, I laughed at his funeral. His house too full, he wrote his stories in cars. Bereft of self, cars became the vessel in which I conducted a fruitful search for meaning, if only for the briefest of moments. Words were his refuge. Mine was spherical and a talent to manipulate my body in fluid physical form, pleasing to others, giving birth to more brief moments of wholeness. His was the class of Monda, Golphnee, Majors, Irwin and Keith! They lived in the light while our equal to Russian brilliance groped in the darkness, unseen. His star, fully risen, he kissed his Tess goodbye and surrendered himself to the infinite untold story. Still lost in the forest, I look back over my shoulder and ponder the complexities of that mean little town, still mostly unaware of the stature of the man who emerged from the loins of it's east side, to take his place alongside Hemingway, Mailer, Thoreau and Wilder.
Gary Zimmer <glzimmer@mailexcel.com>
Federal Way, Wa USA - Monday, March 25, 2002 at 04:50:16 (EST)

Thanks for your wonderful page on the Great American Writer, Zora Neale Hurston. To my mind Hurston could be writing about any people pulling themselves up from the bottom of society. She writes eloquently and poetically. Her words and the story flow. As a white American I see my own poor immigrant family in this story. Men and women fighting, drinking and or succeeding as Jody did are in my frame of reference just as they are in Hurston and those she peoples her book with. It's that connection, that intrigues me about the book. I see myself as the grandmother wanting my daughter to marry for safety, not love. That's a very real and even today among people middle class and below. Maybe even the rich might think in what those of us more "enlightened" might think of as awful terms. I say this to suggest that while Hurston doubtless had issues she'd like addressed about her people, she also spoke of universal themes as much as the particular one's applied to a people not long out of slavery. Note: the immigrants who came from serf conditions also were breaking loose from a yoke, and Middle Eastern and Eastern people were also fleeing poverty and different types of enslavement. Some of the problems in the Black Community are universal. The color-black color-is particular to them. Thank God we live in an era when black can be considered and accepted as beautiful. I love and pay tribute to how well Hurston addressed the degrees of acceptable color at the time. Tea Cake represented the best in a Black Male. She portrayed him as very dark and with a good deal of integrity. Using Mrs. Turner's as a mockery of "color judgment" was a wonderful device. I promote this book wherever I am as a springboard to reading other Black Writers. Because when people read they comment on what a wonderful writer Hurston is and that her book makes them realize how few Black Writers they've read. If Zora Neale Hurston does nothing more than introduce others to Langston Hughes, W.E.Dubois, Alice Walker and Paula Woods she's done a lot. Wish she was here for me to shake her hand and give her a hug of thanks. PSHow wonderful Oprah's bought the movie rights! And, this isn't even a victim book! Janie never could be a victim. Zora couldn't let her be. She was too wise for that.
Betty Payton <cnbpayton@cs.com>
Lancaster,93534, ca USA - Monday, March 25, 2002 at 03:41:43 (EST)

In my English Literature class we are reading and discussing short stories from the book Where I'm Calling From and I am the only one in class besides my professor who enjoys the reading so far. I just have one question, though. I have to give a presentation on April 1st, 2002 on the short story "Nobody Said Anything" and I was told that there was biblical symbolism in the story, especially involving the fish, but I don't really understand what it is. If someone could please help me out I'd be really thankful.
Jessica <jl7t@uwrf.edu>
Andover, MN USA - Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 19:42:14 (EST)

I found many excellent essays on Song of Solomon, Beloved and many other works by Toni Morrison at http://www.123helpme.com/search.asp?text=solomon+beloved I think that this site will help you to better understand these works.
Robert Hines <rhines@hotmail.com>
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 15:04:58 (EST)

THIS BOOK SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
bob <?>
g-ville, ga USA - Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 13:20:04 (EST)

Question about Toni Morrison's Beloved. I am wondering if anyone out there has been able to determine if Sethe, Beloved or any of the other main characters carry any white blood. I am specifically wondering about Halle, Sethe's husband. We know that he is the last of Baby Suggs' 8 children, and that they were fathered by 6 different men, some of them white, but do we know specifically who is Halle's father?
chris <cmpeters@usc.edu>
los angeles, CA USA - Monday, February 18, 2002 at 14:10:47 (EST)

Has anyone read the short stories / poems in this book? Is there a relationship here? www.booklocker.com/bookpages/sunday.html KJ qwe3@www.com
Kelman Joos <qwe3@www.com>
Santa Monica, CA USA - Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 19:10:17 (EST)

hello
bill
USA - Thursday, February 07, 2002 at 21:08:38 (EST)

I would love to join the discussion on Zora Neale Hurston. I have many questions and comments
Tiffany Cohen <nauticac@hotmail.com>
Dunwoody , GA USA - Sunday, December 09, 2001 at 13:24:46 (EST)

What exactly is the difference between the poems "The Bath" and "A small Good thing"? I can not seem to figure out why Raymond Carver wrote the same story twice. Please help, thank you.
Nicole Rector <Abeni77@hotmail.com>
Savannah, GA USA - Friday, December 07, 2001 at 10:45:33 (EST)

I am writing a paper on the role of clothing in "Their Eyes.." Any helpful insight would be great!
Rebecca Barker <Rebecca_Barker>
USA - Saturday, December 01, 2001 at 10:46:55 (EST)

I am writing a paper on the role of clothing in There Eyes Were Watching God. If anyone has any helpful insight, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Rebecca Barker <Rebecca_Barker@brown.edu>
Providence, RI USA - Friday, November 30, 2001 at 18:53:37 (EST)

I am needing any information about "what we alk about when we talk about love" by Raymond Carver ASAP. I am writing an analysis paper and if anybody has anything that yall think could help, please email it to me at willi_14@hotmail.com thanks
Kristen Williams <willi_14@hotmail.com>
allen, TX USA - Sunday, November 25, 2001 at 20:45:15 (EST)

"When we sat down at the table for dinner, we had another drink. . My wife heaped Robert’s plate with cube steak, scalloped potatoes, green beans, I buttered him up two slices of bread. I said, "Here’s bread and butter for you." I swallowed some of my drink. "Now let us pray," I said, and the blind man lowered his head. My wife looked at me, her mouth agape. "Pray the phone won’t ring and the food doesn't get cold," I said. "We dug in. We ate everything there was to eat on the table. We ate like there was not tomorrow. We didn’t talk. We ate. We scarfed. We grazed that table. We were into serious eating. "We finished everything, including half a strawberry pie. For a few moments, we sat as if stunned. Sweat beaded on our faces. Finally, we got up from the table and left the dirty plates. We didn’t look back." (from Raymond Carver's "Cathedral") Happy Thanksgiving!
David <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, November 22, 2001 at 18:59:38 (EST)

I think it is wonderful that so many people still understand how powerful the pen was in Ray's hand. I am what Maryann calls a shirt tail relative. I lived in Maryann's sister's house. I spent qhite a bit of time with Douglas Unger back then also who is married to another of Maryann's sisters. I can remember Ray when I was young during the holidays but I wish I knew then what I know now. As I look back at those times I now realize how amazing that family is. Even though they don't know it, they have inspired me.
Glen <gac47@aol.com>
Tacoma, WA USA - Wednesday, November 14, 2001 at 01:45:27 (EST)

need motivations and obsessions in wasp factory and perfume
jess <jeffizagirl@myself.com>
USA - Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at 06:35:35 (EST)

Wired for Books is a fantastic idea!! Go OU! Say hi to Miss Barringer for me.. :)
dedicated servers
USA - Thursday, November 01, 2001 at 04:50:00 (EST)

i'm preparing a séminary on raymond carver's where i'm calling from and i would like to talk about the lack of communication within a community.
saloua ayat <aliskandria@aol.fr>
paris, france - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 15:25:51 (EST)

I have to write a paper on Their eyes where watching god need some insight. Topic question analysis the challenges the protagonist janie crawford faces in her attempt to achieve subjectivity against intraracial male hegemony.
S. Greene <sng145@ztel.com>
brooklyn, ny USA - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 00:36:59 (EST)

hi! i'm from argentina. i would like to receive some information because i have to make a work, and i have to include some quotations related to characterization and alcoholism of carver could someone help me? thanks a lot! this page is great.
monica <mnuccelli@ciudad.com>
rosario, sta. fe argentina - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 19:38:09 (EDT)

Really enjoy your website. Thank You. anime anipike cats ilovecats dogs petfinder
Rachel Sutherland
USA - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 04:41:34 (EDT)

This book was very interesting, i started reading it in my college english class. At first i thought that it was going to be boring, but after i started reading it for i while, i got into it, and couldnt stop reading it.
Michael Campbell <mspikel510@aol.com>
Kalamazoo, Mi USA - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 16:28:38 (EDT)

i have to write a paper from the bluest eye. i have to explain how two characters from the novel to help illustrate one of the author's important themes.
crystal donlon <crystal317690@yahoo.com>
phila., pa USA - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 10:50:49 (EDT)

I have to read this book for my class at Cal State Hayward. I find the language very hard to read. On the other hand I feel the language is appropriate for the time when it was written. Zora apparently very intelligent and I feel that was the only language she new enought to be able to write this book. Despite the challenge I enjoy reading the book.
Denise <btownja@yahoo.com>
Oakland, CA USA - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 19:29:51 (EDT)

I am doing a research paper about African American Literature, with the emphasis on Zora Neale Hurston and the black woman of that time(Woman movemet,etc.). If anyone would like to help, please send your suggestions to my E-mail
Goran Drobac <gogy_d@yahoo.com>
Split, HR CROATIA - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 08:34:39 (EDT)

what is the purpose of Zora including Mrs. Turner in the novel,"Their Eyes Were Wacthing God"?
Tim <tpp11126>
winter haven, fl USA - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 17:44:51 (EDT)

I am trying to settle a query--in 'What we Talk about When we Talk about Love' is Laura blind? Angone who can help me please respond!
Sarah <sl1000@aol.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 15:17:55 (EDT)

Tea cake is such a good man considering the way of the times. Janie and him are really in love and its sad the way Tea cakes life had to end. I don't think he should have had to die.
Monica Hawkins <Moneybones199690@aol.com>
Kalamazoo, MI USA - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 21:21:47 (EDT)

do you know the places janie visited, what she did there, what she learnedfrom the place, and words or phrases to describe the place
TRice' <Prencezz@aol.com>
Gainesvilee, GA USA - Saturday, September 29, 2001 at 11:07:40 (EDT)

What do you think Janie's attitude is toward her life and toward other people during the first course of Chapter nine?
Collins <MACSpeed@aol.com>
Little Rock, AR USA - Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 21:57:55 (EDT)

The book rocked. I loved how well she wrote in the African American dialect and the way that she showed Janie's struggle to find true love and herself.
ds <d>
d, d USA - Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 16:26:49 (EDT)

I really liked this book. I had to readit for an English anssignment. I signed on to this web sight to get some info. so I could write my paper on the book. I think this book has a lot of positive points, and people can really relate to it in some sense.
Cara <caralikescookies@aol.com>
Audubon, NJ USA - Tuesday, September 18, 2001 at 15:50:51 (EDT)

Does anyone know where Carver got the title
Megan <Megs2900@aol.com>
USA - Monday, September 17, 2001 at 20:40:14 (EDT)

i need some help with "what we talk about when we talk about love" what is the theme of this book and how does the style and point of view add to this perception. please email me if u have the answer to the theme of this book and pov.
tony pillips <tdog_9@yahoo.com>
burbank, ca USA - Saturday, September 15, 2001 at 23:46:14 (EDT)

what do u think is the style/theme and p.o.v. that raymond carver uses in his short "what we talk about when we talk about love." Also how does his style of using Nick as the narrator add to this
tony pillips <tdog_9@yahoo.com>
burbank, ca USA - Saturday, September 15, 2001 at 23:41:42 (EDT)

I need some contrasts in Janie's life?
Joe <kbnike32@aol.com>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 21:59:32 (EDT)

Does anyone know what the theme or themes were in Raymond Carvers Cahedral?
Tali
USA - Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 00:19:33 (EDT)

Nice site...
backgrounds <eklavnu@sunsgame.com>
USA - Wednesday, August 15, 2001 at 17:36:28 (EDT)

Hey everyone~ I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinions on this following question about Their Eyes Were Watching God: What is the "spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation" evident in the ending of Their Eyes.. and explain its significance in the work as a whole. This is for a school assignment. Any ideas that you can give me would be sooo helpful(please send them to my email)- I have a few ideas but I dont know how to piece it together. Thanks again! ~Kathryn
Kathryn <sevens@gte.net>
USA - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 20:05:27 (EDT)

Need Help with the "nature" of Janies quest. What are its ramifications and in what ways does she succeed or fail? ANY help is greatly appriciated...I am stuck with this!!!!
Nicole <AFgirlee15@aol.com>
USA - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 15:11:46 (EDT)

i really need a review on the book 'Flowers For Algernon' seriouly!!! i need to know it's setting, main characters, and to describe the first chapter and the ending of the book!!! please help me!!
Evon <evonhaw8@singnet.com.sg>
Singapore, Singapore - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 01:51:58 (EDT)

HELP!!!!!! I need a to read an overview of the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. Could someone please tell me what they thought about the book!
Ashley <Ashley_Dawn0018@hotmail.com>
Greenup, Ky USA - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 18:54:48 (EDT)

i want to ask about the novel their eyes were watching god . its for my school project . in that i have to tell about the places Janie visted and what she did there. and discription about that place . some other im=nformation on Everglades and Eatonville.
nudrat <nudratmir@hotmail.com>
lynnwood, wa USA - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 21:40:57 (EDT)

what was the zora hurston's stance as a investagator of her own culture. How did she write books with that kind of culture ethnic background. I am a big fan of hers
noeun mork <ken9888@yahoo.com>
long beach, ca USA - Thursday, May 31, 2001 at 17:28:27 (EDT)

I need to know the biographical info for Their Eyes Were WAtching God for a works cited page
erienne <eriennelovesjesus@hotmail.com>
Danville, VA USA - Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at 23:07:02 (EDT)

iam doing a paper on the aspects of racism present in Their Eyes Were Watching God and how historians have said that in the 1930's this book related to the racist aspects of life
Rachel <Jensoc6@aol.com>
Agua Dulce, Ca USA - Monday, May 21, 2001 at 20:19:07 (EDT)

mostly just wanted to say thanks. i'm fascinated with contemporary american lit. and have only just discovered carver. after having read the discussion transcript i feel compelled to go out and watch 'shortcuts' and get my hands on carver's rewriting of his stories (i'm particularly interested in 'so much water so close to home' as the version i have read is, i believe, different from the one discussed. i love this story, by the way. it's so terrifying and i find it quite alarming at how easily i identify with claire, and through her, the victim). anyway, like i already said, thanks heaps!
rachelwilliamson <rwi16@student.canterbury.ac.nz>
USA - Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 01:13:04 (EDT)

i want to just ask some coupe question, may be you guys can help.
Jeneffer M. Bagirimvano <jenefferb@hotmail.com>
Newark, DE USA - Monday, May 07, 2001 at 09:47:25 (EDT)

i have enjoyed reading the book zora neale hurston.
mindy jones <klinger654@hotmail.com>
augusta, ga USA - Saturday, May 05, 2001 at 13:19:41 (EDT)

Hi! I need help on Raymond Carver's story "Kindling". I am doing an setting analysis paper and need some help on the geographical, temporal and socio/economic settings. And how those settings influenced our understanding of the story and of the character. Thanks!
Kimberly <avengersrules@yahoo.com>
PA USA - Tuesday, May 01, 2001 at 00:37:14 (EDT)

Do you know anything about the theme of womens opression in the book Thier Eyes Were Watching God?
Alexia
Columbus, OH USA - Sunday, April 29, 2001 at 19:59:31 (EDT)

i want to know what others think about the meaning of the porch
sandra garcia <coriagurl @aol.com>
long beach, ca USA - Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 20:29:25 (EDT)

cool site
hemanth
USA - Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 13:21:40 (EDT)

i need help om Raymond CArver" why don't you dance" in the end of the story the girl trying to talk out her experience with middle age man. what has she seen that suggests that he is desperate and which alarms her about her own future
linda <vloraime@aol.com>
wayne, nj USA - Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 07:53:20 (EDT)

I am trying to write a paper on TEWWG and I have hit a bump in the road. I am talking about the signigicance of the pear tree and I would love some insight on this from anyone who is willing to help me.
Eileen <leen0529@hotmail.com>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, April 23, 2001 at 21:17:10 (EDT)

I'm having trouble understanding Raymond Carver's short story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, can someone please e-mail me the significance of the ending??
Dulce <dulcita9@yahoo.com>
Austin, TX USA - Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 20:56:03 (EDT)

Can anyone help me find irony in Jonah's Gourd Vine and Mules and Men? Also, anyone have any good quotes from Zora herself?
NG <twinky115@hotmail.com>
USA - Monday, April 09, 2001 at 11:34:38 (EDT)

lookin for some input on Phoebe being Janies best friend and how she was hungry to hear about Janies experiences
Donna M. Bassano <DeMaree39@aol.com>
Minotola, NJ United States - Saturday, April 07, 2001 at 23:16:33 (EDT)

When " How it feel to be colored me" by Zora Hurston has been written?
Margot Féougier <margotfeou@hotmail.com>
Montpellier, France - Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 10:00:43 (EDT)

curious
FK
USA - Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 18:47:01 (EST)

After reading "There Eyes Were Watching God," I was a bit dissapointed because I felt that I never true got to know Janie. There wasn't anytime when the reader was in Janie's mind in her thought, but I presume this because she was always telling the story to Phobie. And also I don't understand how the book only states that Phobie is her best friend, but the author really doesn't give any background on there relationship. I feel that as readers we would have gotten to know Janie better if we had seen more conversation between Janie and Phobie throughout the story. I relieze in the community of Eaton that Joe did not want her to talk, but if Phobie was her best friends, then they must have talked previously. I enjoyed the story, but I felt that Janie went to too many place in location and personality to be full described in what I would consider to be a short novel. I believe that I would have enjoyed this book more if it was longer and gave more opprotunities to her Janies voice, even if it was just her talking to herself. I was told of drama, that when the character is by themselves, this is when the audience gets to really understand the character. But Janie was never alone. Perhaps though, that is why Janie is alone at the end of the novel, because at that point she truely knew herself. Another thought that I have heard brought up, was that this book is perhaps so widley acclaimed and taught in schools, because it is written by a African American Woman, and perhaps it is not acclaimed because of her literary talent.
Billie
USA - Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 03:50:05 (EST)

In Toni Morrison's Paradise, who is the "white girl" ? I have read the novel three times, and it is driving me nuts !
Marcia <Kim_and_Marcia@Juno.com>
USA - Sunday, March 18, 2001 at 13:02:55 (EST)

I am looking for a complete list of Zora Neale Hurston's, Toni Morrison's and Alice Walker's work. Please tell me where I can find these. When I go to a web page, I'm never 100% sure that the list is complete. Thanks :-) Chantal Gagnon Graduate Student Concordia University Montreal
Chantal Gagnon <gagnoch@yahoo.com>
Montreal, PQ CANADA - Sunday, March 11, 2001 at 17:08:24 (EST)

I personally have found this book to be an overhyped catharisis of Hurston's. According to all of the chats that I have seen, I am in the minority in that I do not like the book. Most likely people who don't like the book want to discuss it; however, I would like to discuss it and find out why this book is so acclaimed. My question: would this book have any reputation without Alice Walker?
Daniel Whitney <madwacker69@hotmail.com>
USA - Sunday, March 04, 2001 at 22:55:48 (EST)

What is the significance of Carver's story "Tell the women We're going.? Email me any thoughts.
Anne <gregoram@muohio.edu>
USA - Sunday, March 04, 2001 at 17:11:36 (EST)

I forgot to mention that we have also added a Toni Morrison interview (1987) by Don Swaim on the Wired for Books home page.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, USA - Friday, March 02, 2001 at 14:48:42 (EST)

I think you'll enjoy the Raymond Carver interview (1983) by Don Swaim that we have added to Wired for Books home page. You'll need the free RealPlayer to listen. There are links to the download site on the home page, also.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, March 02, 2001 at 14:42:22 (EST)

Want to get alittle information on Raymond Cavers style of writing
sarsa <hoop_@hotmail.com>
Tampa, FL USA - Monday, February 26, 2001 at 08:58:25 (EST)

I am preparing to write a 20 page paper on Hurston's "Sweat". I would be thankful for any kind of hints on a possible topic (thesis), and helpful links.
Doreen <ds79@gmx.de>
Germany - Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 13:23:57 (EST)

I would like to know when Zora Neale Hurston was really born? I am doing research on her for English and I have came up with three different dates. 1891, 1901, 1902.
Tiffany <tiffany24@earthlink.net>
chicago, il USA - Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 00:27:54 (EST)

Your site is really good but insted of asking us to give you letters try saying,please leave your address and we will write to you.
Ruth Bourke <Miriam@indigo.ie>
Dublin, Ireland - Monday, February 19, 2001 at 06:35:42 (EST)

i want to know when her novel Thier Eyes Were Watching God was published.
Chenee Johnson <stokes6@msn.com>
Baltimore, Maryland USA - Sunday, February 18, 2001 at 17:47:19 (EST)

Master and man is like lot`s of Tolstois works deeply religious but highly critical towards the church...."The Te Deums and icons couldn`t help Vasily in the storm.."
Dominik <rodak@newsclub.at>
Vienna, Austria - Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at 16:56:57 (EST)

C-SPAN2's "Book TV" program recently had Toni Morrison on for a three-hour interview. Here's a link where you can watch the show in RealVideo.
--David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at 11:19:42 (EST)

I am also working on an essay about Their Eyes... It is about how the character's names reflect on their personalities/ relationships with Janie. I have been looking for any quotes from Hurston, Hughes, Walker (or any one else who knew her personally) regarding this topic. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Sara <mangopassion@glitter.com>
USA - Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 20:42:06 (EST)

I have done a PhD thesis on Toni Morrison on the topic "Revisioning of Black Consciousness in her novels" I want to publish my work in the U.S. Can anybody help me?
amrik singh saini <amriksaini@yahoo.com>
Chandigarh, UT India - Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 09:51:26 (EST)

what would be ZNH reasoning behind her use of narritive authority and metaphor (not her folk metaphors)? thanks
matt <stangina00aol.com>
orlando, FL USA - Sunday, January 21, 2001 at 10:51:15 (EST)

I have been given an important assignment to do for school. The assignment is to do a book report on the book Their Eyes Were Watching God. This is due next week and I can't find this book. If the assignment is not turned in on time I can't graduate this month like I have really wanted to. Can you please help me learn about this book. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks.
Beth Davis <abooble@earthlink.net>
Mazon, IL USA - Thursday, December 28, 2000 at 22:59:38 (EST)

TEWWG gave me so many things to think about. Everytime I look at someone I could be looking at the visage of a Janie or potential Janie.
Lisa <Moguls2001@aol.com>
Kalamazoo, Mi USA - Tuesday, December 19, 2000 at 15:48:07 (EST)

I have a final that's due tomorrow. I need to know the postion in relation to the narratives present in Julie Dash's film Daughters of the Dust. by Richard J. Powell
Vida Gilbreath-edwards <nevergiveup900@aol.com>
San Francisco, CA USA - Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 04:05:46 (EST)

Sorry in my last posting the adress to my site for "Art, science and transcendece" was incorrect. I have added a classic picture gallery of sites and musea in Turkey I visited. Soon I will add my Tolstoy pics made in Moscow of his former residence and museum. Have a look. Theo Kuijl
Theo Kuijl <euterpe@xs4all.nl>
USA - Saturday, December 09, 2000 at 01:50:14 (EST)

Hi.I am looking for critical material on 'Sula' by Toni Morrison and there is nothing much for me to go on.I'd really appreciate it if anyone could help me find what I need.
Niyati Dhulhoya <niyatid@hotmail.com>
Bombay, India - Wednesday, December 06, 2000 at 03:18:29 (EST)

Does anyone have any biblical children's book recommendations?
Nadia Mitchall <DR_Mitchell@godspeople.com>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, December 05, 2000 at 23:15:22 (EST)

For some time I posted an article named "Art, science and transcendence, a comparison between Plato and Tolstoy". It relates Plato's doctrine of Eros as in Symposium and the Phaedrus wth Tolstoy's opinion. Feel free to comment. Theo Kuijl
theo kuijl <http://xs4all.nl/~aikikai/plato>
amsterdam, netherlands - Saturday, December 02, 2000 at 00:24:27 (EST)

For some time I posted an article named "Art, science and transcendence, a comparison between Plato and Tolstoy". It relates Plato's doctrine of Eros as in Symposium and the Phaedrus wth Tolstoy's opinion. Feel free to comment. Theo Kuijl
theo kuijl <euterpe@xs4all.nl>
amsterdam, netherlands - Saturday, December 02, 2000 at 00:23:34 (EST)

Can anyone give me their takes on how epiphany is significant in the story "Cathedral"?
Grace
USA - Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at 22:05:02 (EST)

Could someone please give me an analysis of how Tolstoy describes "Family Happiness" in his short story.
Hobbes <hobbes_incarnate@hotmail.com>
Cincinnati, OH USA - Saturday, November 25, 2000 at 15:31:11 (EST)

Hi!Everybody ....I am looking for Roman & Juliet's comment ar !If you have ,please send to me la !
Snoopy <saloui_sumsum@kittymail.com>
UK, UK - Wednesday, November 22, 2000 at 06:50:48 (EST)

Hello! My name is Tiffany James. and I will like to know is there any kind of way that I can get some information off the first one through fifth-teen chapters in the book? So I can do an eassay before going out and buying the book? may you please give me an answer in the next ten minutes? thank You Tiffany James
Tiffany James
Memphis `, Tn USA - Monday, November 13, 2000 at 10:55:56 (EST)

What is your point of view on incest in the novel?
Tyra Beaufort <asacha_01@hotmail.com>
Andrews, Sc USA - Friday, November 10, 2000 at 08:07:18 (EST)

Hi, I am looking for any information about Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" Anything you could provide would be great help. Thank you.
Daina <Metantera@aol.com>
USA - Sunday, November 05, 2000 at 10:52:58 (EST)

Hi, I am doing a project on "Cathedral" I need to find an analysis or criticism as soon as possible. Any information on this story would be a great help. Thanks a bunch
Daina <Metantera@aol.com>
Hatfield, PA USA - Sunday, November 05, 2000 at 10:51:19 (EST)

What do you beleive to be Hurston's entire phiosophy on life? I think somewhat that she feels it is quite important to fit in, but not so much as conform. She may think that fitting in may be finding someone or something that interests you and then attaching yourself to that object or person. What do you think about that theory?
Lisa <Acapulcocliffdiver@hotmail.com>
Fayette, GA USA - Wednesday, November 01, 2000 at 17:14:02 (EST)

what is so important about the root doctor trying to cure joe
kevin harrison <kwh884u@aol.com>
waverly hall, ga USA - Sunday, October 22, 2000 at 21:53:53 (EDT)

Hey everyone out there! I was just looking for any ideas for symbolism in Eyes. In particular, objects representing changes in Janie's life when she's either involved with or married to Tea Cake. If you can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanx
Erin <poet422@hotmail.com>
Portland, OR USA - Friday, October 20, 2000 at 15:28:12 (EDT)

I need help understanding the symbolism in this book.
Destiny
USA - Tuesday, October 17, 2000 at 00:53:02 (EDT)

question for school,from the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God" I need help in understanding the tension between economic stability and love and instinct. To be more specific;how is the tension between economic stability(and safety and protection?)and the love and instinct(and danger and potential disaster?)developed in the first half of the book(especially chapters 7-13)?How does Janies extended dialogue with Phoeby in chapter 12 develop this long-running theme?)
william <Iamadvs1@aol.com>
adamsville, al USA - Sunday, October 08, 2000 at 20:48:17 (EDT)

After having to read Sula, Jazz, The Bluest Eye and Beloved for my English A-Level cousework, I must say aside from 'A Room With A View' by Forster, it was the easiest compulsory reading I had to do. I enjoyed all the books immensely, except Jazz which I found slightly hard to get into. Because I am a great Iain Banks fan (The Crow Road, The Wasp Factory) I found all the disturbing parts of these books (i.e Pecola's rape, Sula's betrayal of Nell e.t.c) the most enthralling. I actually recommend reading Toni Morrison even if, like me, you aren't usually the kind of person who would pick books set in the past. Excellent reading, even for a 17 year old girl like me!
Angelica Demon <Angelica_Demon@hotmail.com>
London, UK - Thursday, October 05, 2000 at 17:05:41 (EDT)

Hi, i need any information or analysis on "The Cathedral" by carver. If anyone has any insight or analysis on paragraphs 117 0 124 this would be really awesome . Thanks!!
Cassandra <serb_geek@hotmail.com>
Vancouver, Canada - Sunday, October 01, 2000 at 15:37:55 (EDT)

We have just added a 45-minute RealAudio interview of the distinguished poet, Allen Ginsberg to Wired for Books. The 1985 interview by Don Swaim of the late, great poet covers politics, censorship, drugs, sex, and of course, poetry. Let us know what you think. --David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, September 22, 2000 at 09:55:49 (EDT)

WERE WATCHING GOD!!!!)
bob schnizelvon
USA - Tuesday, September 05, 2000 at 17:22:35 (EDT)

Can I give you my 20 vocabulary spelling words so you could help me make a story with my 20 vocabulary words.
Adriana Aguilera
los Angeles, C.A. USA - Wednesday, August 23, 2000 at 21:59:51 (EDT)

i was just wondering which passage you thought that best reveals the most significant aspects of the text and can you explain
jenevieve stuart <heydirtey12@17.com>
riverside, ca USA - Thursday, August 17, 2000 at 15:03:32 (EDT)

Great Site!
PageCrafters.net <sbt2@sendfree.com>
- Wednesday, July 26, 2000 at 18:53:23 (EDT)

At the moment a few of us are attempting to do english lit coursework on Ray. I am just amazed at the way he can write such stunning stories not to mention his poetry. Has anyone else been on the website where you can actually listen to the sound of Ray laughing? We would love to get in contact with any other fans of Ray so please leave us a message and we will talk again soon. RAY RULES!
phillip elliott <phillip@hotmail.com>
uk - Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at 08:46:33 (EDT)

Listen to Antonya Nelson read her short story, "In the Land of Men" at Wired for Books. The New Yorker said that Antonya Nelson is one of the twenty best young writers in the country.

Andrew Sarris has written about the movies for over forty years. Listen to him talk about his life, writing, and film in a special one-hour interview.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens , OH USA - Friday, June 23, 2000 at 11:52:52 (EDT)

New at Wired for Books: Fifteen original poems by Dave Smith who was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; a short story, "In the Land of Men" read by the author, Antonya Nelson, whom the New Yorker said was one of the twenty best young writers in the country; and "The Aeneid: Book IV" read in Latin by Wilfried Stroh.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, May 30, 2000 at 09:51:10 (EDT)

I would like a clear character definition of where Beloved came from---her dead baby appears a Beloved, or a spirit type lesson.??? A lot of the readers in our area book club did not get to hear Oprah's discussion of the book with Toni Morrison. Help clarify us on "the girl standing in front of the house. M.White
Martha White <mwhite8566@aol.com>
Millville, DE USA - Monday, May 22, 2000 at 10:36:12 (EDT)

Looking for info for my lectures for IB English
Susan O'Connor
USA - Thursday, May 11, 2000 at 15:19:10 (EDT)

i'm trying to find book discussion groups on the internet, about children books.if any one has any helpful information please email me, it would be gratefully appreciated
Simone <swalkington@bigpond.com>
Sydney, Australia - Wednesday, May 10, 2000 at 23:50:29 (EDT)

I'm interested in what you think is the best content at Wired for Books. Send me an e-mail or post your opinion here. Thanks!
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, April 26, 2000 at 20:02:39 (EDT)

Robert Pinsky, Poet Laureate of the United States, reads three of his poems on the front page of Wired for Books. They include ABC, Samurai Song, and The Want Bone. They're in RealAudio and we have a link to download the free player.

A project that Robert Pinsky began is the Favorite Poem Project. Check it out! --David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at 09:15:25 (EDT)

I read Their Eyes Were Watching God recently and loved it. I am now doing a paper for the class on Janie as the storyteller in respect to southern women being looked up as the keeper of family histories. Any ideas?
Tammy Ferguson <TFerg20335@aol.com>
Memphis, TN USA - Friday, April 14, 2000 at 18:52:02 (EDT)

Have you read any of these at my site?
mikel
USA - Thursday, April 13, 2000 at 23:26:24 (EDT)

Hi, I am writing a graduate level paper on Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye. I would love to discuss my ideas with people who know something about it. Thanks. LaRayne
LaRayne Horn <lahorn@usa.net>
Norfolk, Ne USA - Thursday, April 13, 2000 at 14:51:51 (EDT)

I need help with a quotation collection assignment. I need help in paraphrasing the quote, explaining its significance in context in the novel and applying the quotation to at least one situation outside the story-to other literature (plays, poems, novels, short stories, nonfiction), tv shows, movies, songs or personal experience. Some of the quotes I have chosen are as follows: Pg. 100 "At the newel post Janie whirled around and for the space of a thought she was lit up like a transfiguration. Her next thought brought her crashing down. He's just saying anything for the time being, feeling he's got me so I'll b'lieve him. The next thought buried her under tons of cold futility. He's trading on being younger than me. Getting ready to laugh at me for an old fool. But oh, what wouldn't I give to be twelve years younger so I could b'lieve him! Pg. 101 "All next day in the house and store she thought resisting thoughts about Tea Cake. She even ridiculed him in her mind and was a little ashamed of the association. But every hour or two the battle had to be fought all over again. She couldn't make him look just like any other man to her., He looked like the love thoughts of women. He could be a bee to blossom-a pear tree blossom in the spring. He seemed to be crushing scent out of the world with his footsteps. Crushing aromatic herbs with every step he took. Spices hung about him. He was a glance from God. Pg. 103 "Janie awoke next morning be feeling Tea Cake almost kissing her breath away. Holding her and caressing her as if he feared she might escape his grasp and fly away. Then he must dress hurriedly and get to his job on time. He wouldn't let her get him any breakfast at all. He wanted her to get her rest. He made her stay where she was. In her heart she wanted to get his breakfast for him. But she stayed in bed long after he was gone. Pg. 103 " So much had been breathed out by the pores that Tea Cake still was there. She could feel him and almost see him bucking around the room in the upper air. After a long time of passive happiness, she got up and opened the window and let Tea Cake leap forth and mount to the sky on a wind. That was the beginning of things. If you can help, thanks a bunch!
vanessa garcia <vanessa@centralcoastdelivery.com>
seaside, ca USA - Monday, April 10, 2000 at 12:01:16 (EDT)

I'd like to exchange links with other "readers". My site: http://www.stern.nyu.edu/~ibp200 is not commercial. So, commercial pages are discouraged. Everyone else is more than welcome. Thank you.
Irina <ibp200@stern.nyu.edu>
brooklyn, ny USA - Saturday, April 08, 2000 at 21:27:36 (EDT)

Did you ever read Flowers for Algernon? Or see the movie(s)? Or the Broadway musical? Maybe you listened to one of the audio books? Odds are that you know the plot of the story even if you can't remember when or where you first heard the story.

On the Wired for Books front page, we have a new 53-minute RealAudio interview with Daniel Keyes, author of Flowers for Algernon.

Keyes, winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards, talks about his career as a writer, how he got the idea for Flowers for Algernon, and living to see his science fiction become science fact. Don't miss this interview. You won't forget it.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Saturday, April 08, 2000 at 14:27:14 (EDT)

Researching web based discussion forums
chris Middleton <chris.middleton@vsnw.org.uk>
Manchester, UK - Friday, April 07, 2000 at 09:52:48 (EDT)

I love music and books. I am a college student at the University of Cincinnati.
jes <prchick@alloymail.com>
covington, ky USA - Tuesday, April 04, 2000 at 15:00:59 (EDT)

I hated this book
BONEY <BONEYE@greensboroday.org>
Graham, nc USA - Friday, March 31, 2000 at 09:54:00 (EST)

What do you think Richard Wright meant when he criticized their eyes were watching god as being "counter revolutionary."
Danielle Horton <kevins_sweetie13@hotmail.com>
Stamford, Ct USA - Thursday, March 30, 2000 at 20:19:07 (EST)

Anyone there?
Scott Fralick <sfralick@nwcn.com>
Seattle, WA USA - Thursday, March 30, 2000 at 10:31:11 (EST)

I basically had a question. My question to the scholars is: How did Zora Neale Hurston play a big role in the harlem renaissance as a woman writer? Also, through her work how did she reflect the living situation that where taken place during that time period?
Ivy Ellis <UENVYCC2 @aol.com>
atlanta, Ga USA - Sunday, March 26, 2000 at 15:12:57 (EST)

What does the title suggest
Sherolyn Silver <Strawberrymoet@hotmail.com>
Raleigh, NC USA - Wednesday, March 22, 2000 at 15:50:02 (EST)

The opening of "Paradise," by Toni Morrison, states that "the white girl was killed first." Is her identity specified?
Henry Stein <HTStein@att.net>
San Francisco, CA USA - Saturday, March 18, 2000 at 09:54:04 (EST)

Would you please help me to write a paper on the story popular mechanics by raymond carver
sara joyce <sara@cvcc. hotmail.com>
new york, ny USA - Tuesday, March 14, 2000 at 09:19:02 (EST)

I'm writing a paper on Janie and how she searches for her true identity throughout the book and I need a thesis statement from another source about identity problems.... Please HELP me!!!!
Rachael Keenum <stang7@mindspring.com>
GA USA - Monday, March 13, 2000 at 14:02:52 (EST)

"Talk of the Nation" on National Public Radio recently had a discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" on the air. The URL is http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/totn/20000217.totn.ram, if you want to listen to the show in RealAudio. The guest was Mary Helen Washington, Professor of English and African American Literature, University of Maryland at College Park, and Editor, "Black Eyed Susans/Midnight Birds: Stories of Contemporary Black Women Writers." Melinda Penkava is the host of the show and several listeners called in to share their opinions. I think you'll enjoy the show. Of course, we have our own one-hour discussion about the novel here at http://www.tcom.ohiou.edu/books/hurston.ram , which I think you will enjoy also!
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 14:04:55 (EST)

I am doing my honours thesis on Toni Morrison and am finding that there is a lack of critical material on "Paradise". Has anyone found anything useful? Please let me know! Thanks
Nat B <hollygo79@hotmail.com>
Australia - Monday, February 21, 2000 at 23:12:13 (EST)

Anybody can help me with detailed >(annotated) bibliography of all Ray's stories, especially those published in >different fiction magazines throughout America and elsewhere?
Boris Rebac <borisr@bih.net.ba>
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Wednesday, February 09, 2000 at 05:59:21 (EST)

What is the background information about the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God"? Please let me know
Angelica Parker <angie@aol.com>
New Orleans, LA USA - Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at 17:32:46 (EST)

If there is anyone who can summarize on Their Eyes Were Watching God.
mary <trinitygarden@webtv.com>
owatonna, mn USA - Monday, January 10, 2000 at 18:35:34 (EST)

Hello all, I am looking for literary criticism on Zora Neale Hurston's Their eyes were watching God. I would appreciate any and all help. If you have any information that you think would be helpful, email me!
Leigh Ann <layde_ayin@excite.com>
Tallahassee, FL USA - Wednesday, January 05, 2000 at 22:05:45 (EST)

I have recently been exposed to Carver a few months ago, and I completely fell in love with the guy. His style is totally recognizable and unique. His stories are really warm / light-hearted with his naive and innocent characters.To me his message seems to say that there is good in society.Which is a message worth listening to. I don't feel that way at all...his stories rarely end up with "good society"...they are almost all a representation of the druds of society...i.e.:broken homes, controlling male figures, broken marriages, alcohol...just read "They're Not Your Husband"...the way that the male figure controls his wife's weight says nothing about good society. Sorry to beat you up about your response to Carver...please feel free to respond. Thanks Kate
Kate <SwNgPiXi17@aol.com>
USA - Tuesday, January 04, 2000 at 09:47:06 (EST)

I struggled reading this book and was hoping for some explanation
Joel
USA - Tuesday, December 21, 1999 at 19:11:04 (EST)

You can send me some audio books examples?
Alejandro De Leon <alejandro_deleon@jabil.com>
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico - Friday, December 17, 1999 at 15:54:33 (EST)

I'm doing a paper on Toni Morrison's Beloved. Anyone have any helpful sights I could go to?
carly <Ballet4064@aol.com>
il USA - Friday, December 17, 1999 at 01:32:13 (EST)

Please help me, I'm trying to find essays that describing the dialect and use of language.And I only found ONE!......... HELP!!!
Shymere Whatley <Davina3000_@yahoo.com>
Atlanta, Ga USA - Wednesday, December 15, 1999 at 11:11:45 (EST)

I have a problem understanding "Cathedral" can someone help me QUICK!!!!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!
tina fleming <titi@investormail.com>
Charleston, SC USA - Tuesday, December 07, 1999 at 20:51:12 (EST)

Would you agree or disagree that Janie ultimately finds self-realization through an intense love affair which cuts her off from her wider black culture and community?
Apryl Walker <s01awalker@hotmail.com>
Cincinnati, OH USA - Tuesday, December 07, 1999 at 07:51:18 (EST)

Hello. What would be some styles Hurston used in writing this novel besides dialect? I also need examples.
Brittany James <BAJSOFTBAL@AOL.com>
Northport, AL USA - Sunday, December 05, 1999 at 23:06:16 (EST)

In the book Their Eyes were Watching God, by Zora Hurston, what does the horizon symbolize to you?
Andrew Cash <UnCashJ316>
Raleigh, NC USA - Sunday, November 28, 1999 at 19:25:58 (EST)

Why the title "Popular Mechanics"?
Debbie <darnett@actionnet.net>
OR USA - Sunday, November 28, 1999 at 18:15:35 (EST)

I come from Tunisia and I am at the moment carrying research about Raymond Carver at Yale. The topic of my thesis is : Family as a context for the individual's quest for identity. I really enjoyed reading some of the comments made about Carver and his works. I found Mr Fred Momarco's article about the theme of -or in Caver's words "obsession"- love extremely interesting amd to the point. I would actually quote him in one of the chapters of my thesis devoted to the theme of love and its absence in Carver's real world couple's lives. I hope to read your comments and suggestions soon. Once back home to Tunisia and after the completion of my thesis, I would try to introduce my university students with the works of Carver and help them get in touch with the "America" Carver tells his readers about.
WAFA B. H. AMOR <ouafabenamor@hotmail.com>
NEW HAVEN, CT USA - Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at 12:09:47 (EST)

I have to research an issue from Their Eyes Were Watching God and I am at a loss. I don't know what a good issue to research would be. I was thinking of marriage or the role of women throughout history. If anyone can think of an easy issue within the book to research feel free to email me. Thanks in advance.
Jill <JILLfromUF@aol.com>
Gainesville, Fl USA - Tuesday, November 16, 1999 at 14:24:33 (EST)

i like the help i got from your site thank you
john richardson <boardcrasher@aol.com>
lakeland, fl USA - Monday, November 15, 1999 at 20:45:43 (EST)

I would like to discuss the societies reaction to The Bluest Eye when it was first released.
Ashley <ASHLEIG10@aol.com>
USA - Thursday, October 28, 1999 at 22:51:09 (EDT)

Well this is my first time visiting this site.. I just have some question regarding the book " Their eyes were watching god". 1.How does Tea Cake help change Janie? 2.Does he help her find her identify? Basically, I'm just interested in how Tea Cake help contribute in Janie's life which made her feel like that Tea Cake is different from her previous husbands. Thankz I'll be glad if anyone can help me answer any of the above question regarding Tea Cake and Janie
tiffany travis <xbabiextcyx@aol.com>
san jose, ca USA - Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at 20:55:38 (EDT)

i disliked the book, but it all depends on the teacher to me, if i had not had such a racist teacher then i...well i still wouldnt have liked it, tell me this, we had to write cliff notes for this book, have 9 tests, write 3 essays, there are already cliff notes out, and yet we have to write more, i felt that was stupid.
lindsey <spoid1684@aol.com>
USA - Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at 20:39:45 (EDT)

Lena,

You may be right about syntax and vocabulary differences along the Southeastern coast.

But I think the problem with reading Zora's dialect is not syntax and vocabulary, but the sound and feel and rhythm of the language. I'm only going on my own experience...no formal studying. I had no problem reading and understanding Zora's work, I think, because I spent a good deal of time living in the South Carolina Lowcountry, while I've probably only been to Florida twice. Some of the vocabulary...especially in "Their Eyes Were Watching God"...was similar to what I'd heard in the rural areas outside of Charleston.

There was nothing in the accents in "Daughters of the Dust" that caught me wrong, but I'm not a native Carolinian, so I might have a tin ear about it. I understand that there are mixed reviews from some of the Carolina Gullah folk about the language not being entirely authentic. All in all, however, as a come-here (pronounced come-ya) to Carolina rather than a been-here (pronounced been-ya), I agree with your suggestion that listening to that movie would make reading Zora's dialect a bit easier.

Jesse Allen-Taylor
Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor <safero@EARTHLINK.NET>
USA - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 12:43:34 (EDT)

For Gullah oral material, Rounder Records has put out a CD of Alan Lomax's Georgia Sea Islands recordings. Also, Harold Courlander has some Gullah material in Treasury of Afro-American Folklore. In addition, when I was doing my African-American Folklore course, I came across several books in our library that discussed Gullah speech and collected stories, sometimes in bilingual versions. The other suggestion I would have is simply reading more Hurston, incl. Mules and Men and Their Eyes. She uses dialect at different levels in different places. kb
keith byerman <ejkeb@ROOT.INDSTATE.EDU>
USA - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 12:40:07 (EDT)

Jesse,

I like your suggestion that someone interested in hearing the sound of the dialect that Hurston used should listen to recordings of Gullah. There should be much similarity among the tonality of the dialects of Florida, Georgia, and S.Carolina. However, I'm not certain how similar the syntax and vocabulary is.

Becoming familiar with Black English and some of its characteristics should help. Geneva Smitherman's Talkin' and Testifyin' is an excellent reference. Also reading other dialect writers might help: Dunbar, Chestnutt.

A video source for listening to Gullah is Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust.

Lena Ampadu
Department of English
Towson University
Towson, MD 21252
410-830-2844
lampadu@towson.edu
Lena Ampadu <lampadu@towson.edu>
Towson, MD USA - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 12:38:10 (EDT)

Zora's language comes off of the Florida coast. Much of the words and syntax are very similar to Gullah, which (please forgive the explanation if you already know) is an African-American still spoken further up the coast, on the Georgia and South Carolina sea islands. There are a handful of cd's by people who sing and tell stories in the Gullah dialect...can't think of the names offhand, but someone on the list might know. You might also do a search of either Gullah or Geechee (sometimes spelled Gici) on the web, and that may turn up some recorded sources. I'd suggest listening to one or two of those. That should give you the rhythm and the sound that Zora was writing in. Reading her work is not that difficult if you've heard the language it's in.

PBS did a creditable documentary on the visit of Gullah folk back to Sierra Leone, their ancestral home, wherein you can hear people like Emory Campbell, who is an unreconstructed Geechee-talker.

Of course, if you're ambitious with time on your hands, you could take a trip down to Penn Center on St. Helena Island near Beaufort, spend your Sundays at Brick Baptist Church and walk around the island and pick up the language that way. If you go and drink the water, you'll always have to return.

Hope this helps.

Jesse Allen-Taylor
Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor <safero@EARTHLINK.NET>
USA - Friday, October 22, 1999 at 12:32:56 (EDT)

hi guys...just a few questions that i think you guys can help me with. i need to write a paper on carver, but i'm in sort of a blank as to a topic. i was thinking of comparing the theme of alcoholism in traditional american authors (like hemingway) and the theme in carver's stories. do you guys have any suggestions as to a good 10-page paper topic on carver or any comments on my suggested topic...thanks...
Carola Martinez <cmarti10@solix.fiu.edu>
Miami, Fl USA - Thursday, October 21, 1999 at 23:13:21 (EDT)

I read the short story spunk once and kind of got the basic message, but found it difficult to read because of the language. How can I be more in tune to the language and reread to get more from this writing style?
cheryl williams <juancw@hotmail.com>
albany, ny USA - Thursday, October 07, 1999 at 07:31:43 (EDT)

Hi Valerie, Be sure to read the transcripts of the discussion by Marilyn Atlas, Peter Heidtmann, and Edgar Whan about "The Death of Ivan Ilych." You can read the text or, if you have the RealPlayer, you can listen to the recorded discussion. I think you will enjoy the talk and gain a few insights into Tolstoy and his characters. They also discuss the Tolstoy short story, "Master and Man." I hope you can come back here and tell us what you think. Good luck! --David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, October 05, 1999 at 18:11:19 (EDT)

i am taking a class on philosophy of death and the death of Ivan Ilych is the first book we read I loved it alot but now I must write a paper on it. I would like to know if it's possible to receive some output from your side. Please email me. Thank you.
Valerie Marcel <vava22@hotmail.com>
Miami, Fl USA - Monday, October 04, 1999 at 19:13:27 (EDT)

The guestbook should be working again! Sorry for the problems if you tried to post a message. -David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 14:34:44 (EDT)

I forgot to add that Jill Rosser is the author of Bright Moves, which won the Morse Poetry Prize. She teaches creative writing at Ohio University.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, July 09, 1999 at 13:48:41 (EDT)

We have several new (to us!) poets reading their work on Wired for Books. Wayne Dodd reads Two Poems of Advice, Naming the Winter, On Any Given Afternoon, and Poem about Nothing. Wayne is the author of The Blue Salvages, Of Desire & Disorder, and Toward the End of the Century. He is also the editor of The Ohio Review.

J. Allyn Rosser reads Sole Blessing, Reading at the Y, Lover Release Agreement, Late Elvis, Sea and Rain, Password, and Raven.

All are available in RealAudio and also available in plain text, actually HTML text ;-) if you want to read them the old-fashioned way! David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, July 09, 1999 at 13:45:12 (EDT)

Dear Carver fans: I've been searching the web for Raymond Carver information and came across your site. We have some information which may be pertinent to your readers. Esquire magazine will be publishing 3 previously unreleased Raymond Carver stories in upcoming issues. For an excerpt of the 1st installment, "Kindling" please link to http://hearstmags.com/esquire/carver.htm If you can add a link to your site, we would certainly appreciate it. Thanks for your help David Berger Internet Marketing Manager Hearst Magazines
D Berger
USA - Friday, June 04, 1999 at 10:24:14 (EDT)

Jason Hughes wrote a nice piece about Wired for Books in the Chronicle of Higher Education. It's called A University's Web Site Offers Not Just Poetry and Prose, but Also Voices.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, June 02, 1999 at 15:07:56 (EDT)

In "Their Eyes Were Watching God Does Hurston portray Janie as a oppressed woman or a heroine?
Alicia Clarke <Alica_Clarke@mailexcite.com>
Va USA - Friday, May 14, 1999 at 14:02:35 (EDT)

Does the novel bring about any kind of "thoughtful laughter"?
kriss <sweetlipsTX@hotmail.com>
TX USA - Thursday, May 13, 1999 at 10:57:49 (EDT)

I AM DOING A RESEARCH PAPER ON THE BLUEST EYE AND I CAN'T FIND ANY COMPLETE TEXTS DISCUSSING IT ONLINE. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY?
derek brumley <groovie_4@clds.net>
hinesville , ga USA - Sunday, May 09, 1999 at 15:52:02 (EDT)

Toni Morrison's Sula intrigues me. I am curious if anyone has any insights into her character. I especially would like to hear different points of view about her inability to love, hate, and feel emotions, or if she just plain chose not to. Please e-mail me. Thank you.
Ellen <elsaund1015@hotmail.com>
USA - Monday, May 03, 1999 at 20:55:42 (EDT)

Amsterdam, Holland, Mai, 2, 1999 Dear Sir, On April the 29th I have published my homepage on the Internet called "Art, science and transcendence, a comparison between Tolstoy and Plato", by Drs. T.J. Kuijl, Amsterdam ©1995-1999. Apart from its obvious contents, you will find an unique 'doctrine of Eros' by Plato. You can find the page at http://www.xs4all.nl/~aikikai/plato/ . Yours sincerely, Drs. T.J. Kuijl
Drs. T.J. Kuijl <euterpe@xs4all.nl>
Holland - Sunday, May 02, 1999 at 08:26:55 (EDT)

I am doing a project on Toni Morrison's Sula. Does anyone know about the style, structure, and point of view in the book? PLEASE HELP!!!!!! My project is tomorrow. Please e-mail me. :) Thanks!
Cherise <clsanford@altavista.net>
Tx USA - Wednesday, April 28, 1999 at 15:27:22 (EDT)

I am trying to locate the person who posted this entry in your guestbook.... "Thanks for reminding me of what was like to live in Athens. I miss the beautiful sights and sounds of my beloved home town. Keep up the great work. Thanks Again!" Nannette Bricker Patterson , Sacramento , CA USA - Monday, June 16, 1997 at 03:18:52 (EDT) I have a feeling if she is the poster of information listed in the World Wide Registry....then she is my sister separated from me by adoption. Please if you know of her or if you read this Nannette....Please Email Me!!!
Kimberly <kozik@cntn.net>
Worcester, MA USA - Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 11:43:38 (EDT)

Hello, I'm working on Carver's short story entitled "Cathedral" and I desperately need information, essays or any piece of writing, on this subject. Could anyone help me ?
baronne <palo02@infonie.fr>
France - Saturday, April 17, 1999 at 17:46:39 (EDT)

How would you say Hurston has portrayed women in THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD
kim <kimwash@yahoo.com>
Baltimore, MD USA - Friday, April 16, 1999 at 12:23:06 (EDT)

I was assigned a report on Zora Neale Hurston. I was really surprised when I found out how popular she is. Because I had never heard of her. Anyway I have a question. What do you think is the best site to find info on her? Is there a particular website that you are partial to? I'd love to know what you have to say about it. Thanks, Valerie
Valerie <valerie_barber@waterst.com>
USA - Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 10:53:48 (EDT)

I am in the process of writing a paper on Zora Neale Hurston. I was wondering if you had any links that would pertain to her style of writing and the criticism that she received on her writings. Thanx
Lauren Lucchi <BeanieFA@aol.com>
Chicago, IL USA - Sunday, April 11, 1999 at 16:04:33 (EDT)

If any of you have read both, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Toni Morrison's Bluest Eye, please talk to ME! I am trying to set up a compare contrast paper about the two books. So far, I think I can compare how BOTH books are about the society WITHIN the African American communities and how both societies have this distinction between "black" and "colored folks"... and how they criticize among themselves and in a sense have been brainwashed to think that "the whiter you are, the better you are" (e.g. Pecola, from The Bluest Eye) but how would you CONTRAST them. Please give me feedback and suggestions. My email add: frockfusion@hotmail.com
Ruchika Muchhala <frockfusion@hotmail.com>
Singapore - Monday, April 05, 1999 at 13:07:50 (EDT)

Hey what's up
Anthony
FL USA - Monday, April 05, 1999 at 10:44:16 (EDT)

I was wondering if I could get help on a project for English. we have to do an allusion project on Their Eyes Were Watching God. In the novel we have to find 10 of the 15 Biblical allusions and where we find that example in the Bible. Could I please get some help.
Kymber Dree <rockabye_red@hotmail>
Houston, tx USA - Wednesday, March 31, 1999 at 21:10:50 (EST)

Thanks to everyone who voted for Wired for Books in the Streamers Awards! We are now a finalist in the WebSage category! And you have another chance to vote for Wired for Books. You can vote for the Surfer's Choice award at the voting site. Thanks again!!
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, March 31, 1999 at 11:23:38 (EST)

I am doing an essay on the parent-child relationship in "The Death of Ivan Ilych." If anyone has any thoughts regarding this topic, please e-mail me at lesmerelda69@hotmail.com . Thanks!!!
LB <lesmerelda69@hotmail.com>
LA USA - Friday, March 19, 1999 at 10:43:53 (EST)

need info on r carver the cathedral
jillian maderious <jlm68@csufresno.edu>
fresno, ca USA - Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at 00:30:05 (EST)

This is a very good book. What is the Symbolism in it?
Jovan Hunter <jhunter@uofdhigh.k12.mi.us>
Detroit , MI USA - Thursday, March 11, 1999 at 15:22:22 (EST)

I have just been assigned to read The Bluest Eye. I like the book a lot and feel that it has a lot of meaning. I will comment more on it as I read it.
Kendrick L. Sanders <KL-Sanders1@wiu.edu >
Macomb, IL USA - Friday, March 05, 1999 at 21:05:44 (EST)

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" was controversial because some Black writers felt that it reinforced stereotypes about African Americans and did not depict the harsh realities of Black southern life. It is true that the book did not focus much on the horrors of Black southern life, but the purpose of the book seemed to be the celebration of Black southern life, something that can be done, only be done (?), in the absence of an oppressive, demeaning society. I don't think that the book recklessly reinforced stereotypes about Black people. That is not to say that there are no stereotypical images of Blacks in the book. I think that there are, but I think Hurston's motivations were complex. For one, I don't think that she "censored" herself when she wrote the book -- I don't know that she was concerned with presenting Black characters that would rebuff all stereotypical notions about Blacks. Indeed, it doesn't seem that she was writing "to" a White audience. In my opinion, she seems to illustrates the heterogeneity that exist within the Black community -- some characters seem stereotypical (e.g., consumed by internalized racism, superstitions, etc) some seem revolutionary, (e.g., Janie). Hurston's book is a celebration of Black southern life, African story-telling, Black womanhood, Black people.

According to Nancy McCay, there were actually two different Black Renaissances. One in Harlem, pre Depression which celebrated blackness and the African past. Zora Neale Hurston was part of this first movement. The second, renaissance was based in Chicago, post Depression. This one seemed to be fiercely political and the art produced during this period was almost exclusively focused on the horrendous nature and consequences of white oppression. Richard Wright was the leader, so to speak, of that renaissance. He condemned what he considered to be the reckless, seemingly stereotypical conceptions of African Americans that he felt were being propagated by celebratory HR writers like Hurston. Indeed, Wright was Hurston's worst critic. Reference Richard Wright's critique of Hurston -- I don't have the reference with me now, so you will have to look it up. You might want to check out Cheryl Wall's book-- Women of the Harlem Renaissance (1995).
Romana A. Norton <ranorton@students.wisc.edu>
USA - Sunday, February 28, 1999 at 09:04:09 (EST)

Question: Can you please help me understand why there was so much controversy over Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" when it was first published, why it was taken out of print and why it is now loved so much (verses its past reviews). I am not certain I understand why there were issues with it when it was first published. I apologize if I seem to be living with blinders on...but having read the book, i don't see what the issues were.
Tina Townsend <ttownsend@mail.drms.dla.mil>
battle creek, mi USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 14:22:12 (EST)

Sam Halpert also writes:

"For Amanda from Singapore --- No way to know for sure why 'Little Things' ---- Perhaps because of the brevity of the story.... or babies are little things ... or who knows? It may be an improvement of its other title, 'Popular Mechanics.' (ugh!)"

Thanks again, Sam!!

David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 12:57:28 (EST)

Sam Halpert, author of Raymond Carver: An Oral Biography and When We Talk about Raymond Carver: Conversations with Maryann Carver has answered Emanuela's question posted below. Here's what Sam says:

"Emanuela is looking for stories Carver wrote prior to What We Talk About ... She might try his first collection Furious Seasons, although that volume may be somewhat difficult to locate these days. Other choices, more available, would be Fires, and most certainly Will You Please Be Quiet, Please."

Thanks, Sam!
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 10:21:34 (EST)

"Their Eyes" was a spectacularly insightful book. I liked Janie's point of view on the world, herself, and society. It helped me put things in perspective. This book inspired me to present my feelings on this book to my English class in an organized presentation in which I hoped to make my class feel as strongly about the book as I do.
Lisbeth <VYBBE@aol.com>
Rockville, MD USA - Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 17:32:17 (EST)

Sorry, but I really don't know. --David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 16:30:17 (EST)

Dear David, first of all I want to thank you for your help.You have been very kind. I want to ask you if you know how I can find the original Carver's stories, those that he wrote before the publication of the collection " What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". Sorry if I'm asking you more and more but it is very important for me to know a lot about Carver's work.Thank you again. Emanuela.
emanuela <emadel@reteitalia.net>
lamezia terme, cz italy - Saturday, February 13, 1999 at 11:29:47 (EST)

I've tried to contact the Carver listserv, but I think it has become inactive. Also, I believe Fred Moramarco's online seminar about Raymond Carver may not be offered this semester at his university, San Diego State. Fred has a lot of good Carver resources listed on his page, which is still up. You can go to the Community Reconsidered page at http://www.tcom.ohiou.edu/books/recon.htm and click on "more resources" in the Raymond Carver section to find a link to Fred Moramarco's pages. And, we'd love your vote for Wired for Books in the Streamers WebSage category! Support good books on the Web! :-)
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, February 12, 1999 at 14:16:19 (EST)

Dear David,I need your help because I'm desperately trying to participate at the seminar on Raymond Carver, held by Fred Moramarco,but without success. What do I have to do? Please help me!I subscribed to the listserv many times but they never found any request.Please, tell me what to do! Thanks in advance. Emanuela.
emanuela <emadel@reteitalia.net>
lamezia terme, cz italy - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 12:21:09 (EST)

Here's an essay, "The Carver Chronicles" by D.T. Max. Carver's relationship with his editor, Gordon Lish, is highlighted. (NY Times, 8/9/98)

Good luck! --David
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Monday, February 01, 1999 at 12:25:10 (EST)

I'm doing a thesis on carver's short stories and I'm interested in the revisions that he made of his stories. I would like to know more about the changes that, as somebody affirms, have been made by the editor Gordon Lish.
Emanuela <emadel@reteitalia.net>
lamezia terme, catanzaro italy - Sunday, January 31, 1999 at 16:01:15 (EST)

I believe Janie was very naive and definitely a fool in love. Tea Cake talks very sweetly to Janie, but never truly shows his love for her. He takes her money, and in my opinion, lies to her about the whole situation. He also tries to keep her subservient as the relationship progresses.I really don't feel that Tea Cake loved Janie wholeheartedly.This is my opinion,and may be due to the fact that I am not old enough to understand these experiences. Being only eleven years old, I would like to know if I will have a different interpretation in the future.Thanks for listening, Lashamean.
Lashamean White
USA - Monday, January 25, 1999 at 10:02:47 (EST)

i loved the book "their eyes where watching god" but i need to know more about her than what they show and it get confusing every time i look and i see nothing of interest to a report i'm doing on her thank you for hearing my complaint
Christine Beutler <Sabrin8789@yahoo.com>
Olymipa, WA USA - Wednesday, January 06, 1999 at 02:10:22 (EST)

anyone have any idea why 'little things' from the book 'where i am calling from' is titled that? thanks.
amanda ong <noahwyle@hotmail.com>
woodlands, singapore - Tuesday, December 29, 1998 at 22:31:15 (EST)

There was a book I read about 2 weeks ago now called "Always," by Trevor Meldal-Johnsen. I thought it would be the typical romance novel that come a dime a dozen at the supermarket check stand or that lines the racks at the old Woolworth's. I was wrong. It was a very un-typical thriller concerning life and death, the concepts of reincarnation and spiritual meaning in Man. It also told a wonderful romantic story about a Hollywood screenwriter who falls in love with an actress on the movie screen and finds himself obsessed with knowing more and more about her. His life is threatened by accidents and unexplainable events the closer he gets to the truth. I stayed up reading it for basically 3 full days, turning the page, turning the page, turning the page, until I got to the end of the book. I called the book's publisher, Bamboo Grove Books, and asked them about the author and about the novel itself. There are things very Somerset Maugham, very Conan Doyle, in the writing. Has anyone else out there read "Always," or are you currently purchasing it from their online site? I would love to talk on the web about it with you. Mark Simon
Mark Simon <simboy@earthlink.net>
Los Angeles, CA USA - Sunday, December 13, 1998 at 17:25:59 (EST)

I would like to learn more about Zora Neale Hurston. I also have a research paper on her. It would be great to be able to chat with a person who knows more than teachers or books can tell. I am trying to develop the theme LOVE in " Their Eyes were watching God",Mules and Men", and "Dust Track on the Road." Thanks for your attention. Laure-Edith
Laure-Edith <Lezjackie@usa.net>
Siver Spring, MD USA - Friday, December 11, 1998 at 08:55:50 (EST)

I am a senior in high school getting ready to write a term paper. I am looking for critical reviews of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. I have looked on the Internet but can not find anything. Any suggestions?
Mindy Gibson
West Monroe , La USA - Wednesday, December 09, 1998 at 20:53:46 (EST)

what do you mean by, "All happy families resembles one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way"? i have to do a research on how above statement can be applied in "A Night Out","Chicken Soup With Barley" and "Father and Son".
awin <raiha@tm.net.ny>
kuala lumpur, selangor malaysia - Saturday, November 21, 1998 at 23:09:03 (EST)

I need literary criticism on Carver's "Cathedral" and I have searched the internet and checked out local library books, but have not come up with much. Any suggestions?
Chad R Young <RMY2BO>
Millersville, Md USA - Tuesday, November 17, 1998 at 15:42:48 (EST)

i would like to know something on zora neale hurston
thisalca williams <thisalca@hotmail.com>
houston , tx USA - Thursday, November 12, 1998 at 15:40:26 (EST)

I will be teaching "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for the first time this spring. Any ideas on how to introduce or deal with the dialect of the novel for a predominantly white classroom or any suggestions for teaching the novel to high school seniors? Thanks.
Cathy Line <linkshouse@erols.com>
USA - Tuesday, November 03, 1998 at 11:15:04 (EST)

Has anyone seen the movie, Beloved? Did you like it?
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, October 28, 1998 at 10:53:47 (EST)

Toni Morrison's character "Milkman" in "Song of Solomon" appears to be related to the figure called Esu-Elegbera from Yoruba mythology. I would like to here from anyone who knows if any similar link exists between Esu-Elegbera and the character "Porgy", from Gershwin's opera "Porgy and Bess". Please could you e-mail me with a response.
Gary Pearcy <58783229@mmu.ac.uk>
Manchester, England - Tuesday, October 27, 1998 at 05:33:43 (EST)

I really have no idea what the central theme of THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD was.
tiffany
USA - Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 23:37:31 (EDT)

I found that THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD was a very interesting book. It did not imitate the type of story line commonly used in time period. It did focus on racial issues but on black people themselves
Tiffany
USA - Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 23:34:08 (EDT)

I visited Ohio University, and just wanted to sign in to let you know I did visit.
Katherine Kleinert <edkleinert@compuserve.com>
Hudson, OH USA - Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 12:56:55 (EDT)

Check our front page at Wired for Books for links to Martin Sheen reading "My Country Awake" by Rabindranath Tagore and also links to Robert Kinsley's book of poetry, Field Stones.
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, October 14, 1998 at 17:02:52 (EDT)

Hi I need an analysis (criticism) of the characters and themes of Tolstoy's works: Master and Man, Family Happiness and Alyosha the Pot. Please respond ASAP.
ardan <WEIRDO1734@ prodigy.net>
NY USA - Sunday, September 13, 1998 at 14:20:26 (EDT)

This has nothing to do with the discussion in progress now, however, I'm beginning my graduate work and am interested in finding an online discussion group focussing on either African American studies or Contemporary American Lit. in general. Can anyone can point me in the right direction? Please email. Thanks!
Michelle <chell@ptd.net>
PA USA - Thursday, September 03, 1998 at 21:29:00 (EDT)

That was wonderful listening to the critics talk about Carver. His works still move me into a soul-space, a quieting-down. I have most of his books and a critical analysis and still delight in revisiting them often. Thanks for this episode - helped me clean up my lounge room and avoid some work I needed to do! ....my poems deserve to be eaten by mice....to paraphrase Carver!
Jenny Quealy <jquealy@pnc.com.au>
Blue Mountains, NSW Australia - Monday, August 24, 1998 at 09:40:42 (EDT)

I'm sure that most of you have read about Modern Library's "Best Books of the 20th Century." I was pleasantly surprised to read that Powell's Books employees voted for their own list of "best books" and Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God was voted "number one."
David Kurz <kurz@ohio.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, August 19, 1998 at 17:14:45 (EDT)

Please join the discussions at our newly expanded message boards. I hope to see you there! David
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, July 29, 1998 at 11:12:28 (EDT)

Re: Toni Morrison

Have read all of her works; Have enjoyed them like finally getting to go on a bike ride when your one of fourteen children and own only one bike The rides are breathtaking
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, Colorado, USA - Thursday, June 18, 1998 at 13:04:32 (EDT)

How do you think she felt about men?
mc
Tallahassee, FL USA - Thursday, June 18, 1998 at 08:43:07 (EDT)

Hey Fellow Book Lovers... This is my first time to visit the site. It's wonderful to see people from all over the world coming together to discuss a common passion. I am a senior English major at University of West Georgia. I have chosen Toni Morrison to do my thesis paper on. I am currently reading Song of Solomon, which is the first of her books I have read. I am interested in getting involved with a Toni Morrison book club, discussion group, list serv etc. If anyone has any suggestions for me or would just like to chat email me at puther@mindspring.com! Also, does anyone know Toni's email address or one that could give me a schedule of her visitations. I live near Atlanta and was hoping she might be around the area in the near future. Again, I was very impressed with everyone's comments. It's great to be in the presence of scholars!! Mandy :)
Mandy Triplett <puther@mindspring.com>
Carrollton, Ga. USA - Sunday, June 07, 1998 at 15:57:08 (EDT)

I enjoyed reading the transcripts of your discussions about Raymond Carver, they were an eye opener. To cut to the chase, I'm a scribbler who's trying to write an article connecting Carver's work to those of Franz Kafka. You may think that's lunatic, but I personally see a link of sorts between the two, in their tragically short lives, their need to juggle their artistic considerations and so on, but especially in the attention and currency they gain from the small, incidental, subconscious elements in our lives and their true and greater significance (think of Carver's early story "The Hair", where it is expressed more forthrightly than in his later work, and the opening chapter of Amerika, or indeed, the whole of the Trial). I could go on, but I doubt your guestbook has the room.. Basically I'm interested in finding out more on Carver's sources (the Russian is obvious) early life and especially about the way working. I'd really like to get a look at his letters and was wondering whether I could find any on the net? Anyhow, if anyone can help I'd be grateful. I have the idea of the piece, I need to grow some meat on it. I'd also like to say that I think "Cathedral" is the most beautiful story I have ever read, in every important way.
Mitchell Millar <9457722@arran.sms.ed.ac.uk>
Edinburgh, Scotland - Sunday, May 24, 1998 at 09:57:25 (EDT)

We have a new essay on Wired for Books, Racial Realities and Amazing Alternatives: Studying the Works of Samuel R. Delany by Jeffrey Allen Tucker, Ph.D. And we have some wonderful spoken poetry in RealAudio in the Poetry Online section. Check it out!
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, May 22, 1998 at 11:09:42 (EDT)

Medical Malpractice in il
SHAARE ZEDEK <MNADIV@IBM.NET>
il, USA - Tuesday, May 12, 1998 at 09:21:04 (EDT)

Has anybody heard of a fantastic African-American writer Sapphire - her work can be found on High Risk books and she wrote 'American Dreams' which really is a confronting and brilliant novel.
Netti Kite <tmansf10@chec.scu.edu.au>
Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia - Thursday, April 30, 1998 at 21:24:04 (EDT)

I enjoyed listening to Q & A segments by your guest scholars especially their discussion about defining community. I tend to limit community to the mass meaning where there is a unity among the many divisions to achieve some grand purpose or some functional good for the whole society or country. Thank you for this educational experience.
Boray <boray@jps.net>
Red Bluff, CA USA - Saturday, April 18, 1998 at 12:59:14 (EDT)

Like to discuss on Computer topics.
Alok Saraf <aloksaraf@hotmail.com>
Indore, MP India - Sunday, April 12, 1998 at 02:15:59 (EDT)

Another featured author here at Wired for Books is the classic author/illustrator of children's books, Beatrix Potter. Hopefully, this is the beginning of many offerings for children at our site. Let us know what you think. David
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Saturday, April 11, 1998 at 09:55:34 (EDT)

I am doing my research paper on the influence of the Harlem Renaissance on Zora Neale Hurston's THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD. Any information anyone can give me would be a great help and greatly appreciated. thank you. thank you for your site it has helped me a lot
amie <beloved@palatka.com>
satsuma, fl USA - Tuesday, March 31, 1998 at 05:47:00 (EST)

If you haven't yet listened to Dr. Herbert Martin's lecture, "The African American Oral Tradition" then please accept our invitation! The URL is www.tcom.ohiou.edu/books/martin.ram You'll need the RealAudio plug-in (it's free) and a sound card and speakers, but it's worth the effort. Let us know what you think. David
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, March 27, 1998 at 11:33:44 (EST)

I >

Transfer interrupted!
from the Bluest Eye. What would be an example of a symbol from this book? Also, how does this book deal with "double consciousness?" Any help you can give me would be great.

Thanks,

ANNNNA1@aol.com

Cool site
USA - Thursday, March 19, 1998 at 13:50:56 (EST)

I am currently writing my dissertation on Toni Morrison and the "matri-focality" of her three novels SULA, BELOVED AND SONG OF SOLOMON, if anyone has any info on this, I'd love to hear from you. Josie McAvoy 20 Woodlands Road Woodlands Doncaster South Yorkshire England. Thank you very much xxxx
Josie McAvoy
Doncaster, England - Monday, March 16, 1998 at 09:32:42 (EST)

Hey ya'll! I just finished ready Their Eyes Were Watching God for school. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas about what to write about in my literary criticism paper. If you can help please do!
Sandy <moss98@Juno.com>
USA - Saturday, March 14, 1998 at 13:02:11 (EST)

I am a junior in HS doing a multi genre paper on Zora Neale Hurston and would appreciate help or ideas of genres to use in my paper...Thanks!
Jen Meyers <JRenee5799@aol.com>
Geneva, NY USA - Friday, March 13, 1998 at 09:45:54 (EST)

Hurston is like a role model to me she has inspired me in different ways. Her insight on life has given a path to take in life. Despite her hardships she did what she had to do.
Krystyn Pew
Clermont, Florida USA - Friday, March 06, 1998 at 09:17:47 (EST)

Looking forward to discussing with you - especially Tolstoy.
King Minos
USA - Tuesday, March 03, 1998 at 18:43:29 (EST)

I was wondering if someone could help me with the theme of "The Cathedral" by Raymond Carver. I was having some trouble figuring out what it actually was. Thank you.
Andre Radloff <Mstrpce420@aol.com>
Iowa City, Ia USA - Wednesday, February 25, 1998 at 15:37:02 (EST)

HI, I NEED SOME HELP ON ONE CARVER'S ESSAYS. THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE. THE ESSAY IN THE BOOK IS TITLED VIEWFINDER. I'M WRITING A PAPER ITS DUE TODAY IF I COULD GET SOME HELP SOON BEFORE TOMORROW, I WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL. JUST LOOKING FOR A CRITIQUE OF THE ESSAY.. THANX HECTOR
HECTOR GARZA <surferbo@ix.netcom.com>
San Jose , CA USA - Thursday, February 19, 1998 at 15:35:32 (EST)

I have to say that I can't stomach the rewrite of "The Bath"--"A Small, Good Thing". The power of the original seemed to me to lie in the anonymity of the baker. He didn't really seem like such a wonderful guy right from the outset, when the mother goes to order the cake. Finally, though, he's turned into a malevolent figure. He isn't just indifferent. In trying to come to grips with their impossible situation, the parents are faced with this faceless, disembodied evil in the baker. Maybe his calls have more to say to them about their situation than we'd like to believe. The rewrite is watered down. Everything that made the original so powerful is changed. The effect is similar to that of a half-hour sitcom, in which the deepest of problems are solved, giving all the emotion a sort of Hallmark quality. Maybe I'm saying more about myself than I am about Carver, but I don't believe it for a second. Incidentally, you folks were wrong about "So Much Water So Close to Home" being the only one with a female narrator (or an limited omniscient narrator in a female's head, or whatever). "Chef's House" in the Cathedral collection is another example. I really enjoyed listening to your conversation, until my audio crapped out. Keep up the good work, etc.
Bob Kottage
USA - Sunday, February 15, 1998 at 16:10:16 (EST)

I just discovered Zora in one of my classes. She is a beautiful writer and I enjoyed your discussion.
Diana Prevot <dprevot@worldnet.att.net>
Balboa Is, Ca USA - Sunday, February 08, 1998 at 01:02:29 (EST)

It's great that you got to meet Toni Morrison, Rachel. I went to the "virtual chat" that Time magazine sponsored (you can link to the transcripts a few posts down). I asked a question, too!

Here it is: Timehost presents question #1029 from Dkurz: "Do you read old newspapers or magazines to get a feeling for the past?"

Toni Morrison says, "I read magazines and newspapers of a particular place and period in order to soak up the atmosphere and the relevant discourse, the relevant headlines and matters that seem to be important to people.For example, in "Jazz," I read both mainstream newspapers for 1926 and newspapers published by black publishers in New York and elsewhere."

Thank you, Paul for tipping us off about the event.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, February 05, 1998 at 12:14:54 (EST)

Hi, gang!

Speaking of Toni Morrison and her new book (well, we were, sort of, kinda, a few entries down) . . . tonight I went to a reading that she did of "Paradise" here in D.C.!

It was very interesting! I'd read the new book over the weekend, and I thought that it was very good. It's interesting to compare it with "The Bluest Eye". "Paradise" definitely shows greater maturity as a writer -- a broader palette, and a surer hand.

After she did the reading, she answered a few questions from the audience. None concerned The Bluest Eye. With regard to Paradise (sorry, I'm dropping the quotes around the titles), she said that it was one of a trilogy dealing with different types of love and their positive and negative permutations, along with Beloved and Jazz. Beloved, she said, was on the topic of parental love. Jazz was on romantic love. And Paradise was on love of G-d and faith. If THAT doesn't get her as number-one book club author, I don't know what will. Now I'm dying to read the other two books to compare and contrast. :)

She did not sign books there, but if you got the book from the bookstore sponsoring the reading (as I did), you could get a pre-signed book plate, and say hello after the reading. I was VERY fortunate, because I happened to be sitting in one of the first areas called up to meet her -- I'd guess I was one of the first 25. (There were, I'd say, at least 1500 people at the reading, and at least half of them hung around afterwards -- I have no idea if everyone was really able to meet her.)

The nice part about her not signing books was that when people in line met her, they could really look her in the face, instead of having her attention split. I shook her hand and told her what an honor it was to meet her. Then I told her that I had just recently read The Bluest Eye, which I'd read because of being involved with a book club on the Internet discussing it, and we had really enjoyed it. She laughed, and said, "I love it!" I didn't have a chance to ask her any questions about community in her books, or even (sorry David!) tell her who sponsored this club. I was very aware of the crush of people behind me, and I didn't want to slow things down too much.

It was a lovely event, despite the large crowd. She read beautifully, and was just as warm as could be in her interactions with people.

Now . . . just to make certain I'm on topic . . . I'll mention what *I* thought was interesting when I compared The Bluest Eye and Paradise in terms of community. (If you don't want to know ANYTHING about Paradise before reading it, stop here -- although I don't think I'll give away any more spoilers than the book jackets do). In The Bluest Eye, we saw how the pressures of a dominant community damaged a smaller community. The African-American community was damaged as a whole, and some of the individual members of it were crushed, by trying to conform to standards set up in the stereotypical white world. One might think from that that were there no pressures from the outside world, the inner community would be idyllic. Yet in Paradise we see a community that is entirely African-American, with little involvement with the outside world (very little interaction via, for example, television, even), and the community still becomes dysfunctional.

Discuss amongst yourselves. :)
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Friday, January 30, 1998 at 00:03:32 (EST)

Hi
John
USA - Thursday, January 22, 1998 at 20:42:36 (EST)

I think Raymond Carver is one of the most interesting writers of the last times and deserves to be ranked together with the most eminent masters of the short fiction. In fact, now I'm doing my thesis work on him. Maybe you could help me with some material. Please... I want to do a good thing, but I lack the necessary information. Thanks.
Pablo Villa Moreno <crow10@hotmail.com>
VALPARAISO, CHILE - Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 19:10:16 (EST)

Hi...I thought readers on this site might be interested in the following online chat: NOBEL PRIZE WINNER TONI MORRISON IN TIME ONLINE INTERVIEW TIME ONLINE FORUM WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21ST, 8PM EASTERN Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison joins Time's Forum this Wednesday, January 21st at 8pm, for an online interview. Log on to chat with her about her latest book, "Paradise." Ask her about the role history plays in her fiction. Find out how she thinks the Nobel Prize has affected her life and work. Talk to her about how she writes her books -- or about any other topic you're interested in. The URL address for the chat is: www.time.com/community/newsforum.html. If you miss the chat, you can read the transcript at www.time.com/community/transcripts/chattr012198.html beginning January 22nd. If you'd like more information, please contact Paul Hechinger, at Time Online, at 212-522-4080.
Paul Hechinger <Paul_Hechinger@timemagazine.com>
USA - Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 13:26:05 (EST)

I like Carver's stories because they are always gentle and calm. There is no evil in them. I think that's because Carver loves all people, not only the weak but also the loser. He has a generous mind to admit and accept human's weakness and desolation. I also like his poems. They are very calm and peaceful, but also deep. I like the way he finishes the poems. He surely knows what love is, what life is. He seems to know surely all of small good things in the world. I could be healed by his work.
Fusari Ikeda <fusari-i@usa.net>
JAPAN - Saturday, January 17, 1998 at 07:39:04 (EST)

Hi
Kristiina Geddis <Cabbie4553@aol.com>
Great Meadows, NJ USA - Sunday, January 11, 1998 at 17:31:27 (EST)

Hello from the National Library for the Blind in the UK. We are looking at reading related web sites as we want to provide similar services for our visually impaired readers.
Margaret Bennett <NLBUK@compuserve.com>
Manchester, UK - Monday, January 05, 1998 at 06:53:24 (EST)

It's been so long since I've been here! As you may have noticed, the question and answer programs are available in RealAudio. They are quite interesting and based on the comments of everyone who participated. Thanks to everyone who read and listened and especially to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts about the books and short stories.

We'll keep this site up until at least June, so everyone is welcome to continue the discussion. Be sure to bookmark the Wired for Books home page at www.tcom.ohiou.edu/books We have some really nice projects in the works, including a wonderful recording by Dr. Herbert Martin on the African-American oral tradition. Stop back often to see what's new.

Congratulations to Vida Williams who won the final drawing for a copy of "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison.

Remember, www.tcom.ohiou.edu/books/ "That's where I'm calling from."

Best wishes for the new year, David
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, December 26, 1997 at 14:53:38 (EST)

I have to do a book report for school. I don't know if it is the place to look for a book but can you help me???
Oded Schory <ryo@netvision.net.il>
Haifa, Israel - Sunday, December 21, 1997 at 13:53:44 (EST)

I have been monitoring the discussion since August and wish to express my appreciation for the participants. I have enjoyed this study and hope in the future this will continue with another theme and related books.
boray <boray@jps.net>
Red Bluff, CA USA - Saturday, December 20, 1997 at 13:17:07 (EST)

What were Zora's views on the roles of black women, and how did she display this in "Their Eyes Were Watching God?"
Diana <Cheerdi@juno.com>
Rosemont, PA USA - Thursday, December 11, 1997 at 10:44:43 (EST)

Unlike the other comments I have read about "Their Eyes Were Watching God," I thought this was a terrible book. I had the hardest time reading the story and the over-abundance of African-American dialect and the nonstop overdone descriptive paragraphs. The themes of the story are indeed interesting, but I however lost interest after reading so many words I could not understand! Cut down on the descriptive imagery and I might not have lost interest by the end of the page!
Lyndsay <Lyndsay_69@hotmail.com>
Nashville, TN USA - Sunday, December 07, 1997 at 19:56:32 (EST)

This has nothing to do with the subject, but where would you look on the Internet to find information about all of the cities of Ohio?
Jennifer Wood <Woodstok@cinci.infi.net>
Cincinnati, Ohio USA - Saturday, November 29, 1997 at 15:04:59 (EST)

Just came in to say hello to everyone. Have an early Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a drink for me!
Jody Tverdal
Sudbvury, Ont Canada - Friday, November 28, 1997 at 11:04:55 (EST)

Thank you for the wonderful discussion of Raymond Carver. Does anyone have any insight into the title story "Where I'm Calling From?" What is the meaning of the parallel descriptions of the chimney sweep and the landlord painting the house and the two men's different reactions to these intruders in their homes?
Melanie Gosslin <floogy1@aol.com>
Elk Grove, CA USA - Thursday, November 27, 1997 at 12:05:48 (EST)

I need some help in doing my analysis of "The Death of Ivan Ilych." Can somebody help me????
Ximena Salazar <salazar@imparcial.com.mx>
Hermosillo, Son Mexico - Tuesday, November 25, 1997 at 22:57:53 (EST)

I am writing a research paper on the similarities between Carver's life and his stories. I would like to hear what anyone has to say.
PJ
USA - Sunday, November 23, 1997 at 12:40:11 (EST)

Would Raymond Carver be considered a stream of consciousness writer?
jessica rozzo <jlr7459@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
tallahassee, fl USA - Saturday, November 22, 1997 at 13:34:49 (EST)

I'm quite surprised from listening to your radio show, in particular Ivan Ilych , that no one commented on the struggle between the self and the community. It seemed to me that this was the theme in the story. Ivan followed all the social conventions of the day only to realize that all his ideals were based on materialism. His redemption came when he finally adopted the virtues of unconditional love and forgiveness. It was then that he realized the self and became a member of the community. Did you notice that I have not referred to god or Jesus?
Mark Russell
Armstrong, BC Canada - Wednesday, November 19, 1997 at 03:19:14 (EST)

In terms of community in these two text, the Bluest Eye and Their Eyes... I think it is interesting to look at the resurgence of interest in these novels and what that says about our community. Hurston published Their Eyes in the 30's it got mass appeal in the 70's and is having a resurgence in the late 90's Morrison published the late 70's and is also (even though she has written several other books since then) a resurgence in the late 90's. Usually a resurgence is because of white academic and quasi-theoretical mainstream interest. I read The Bluest Eye and Their Eyes as a child of the age of 10. It was given to me by a Black teacher I had who was an avid collector of Black fiction of several genre. I think the resurgence of these books as interesting enough to discuss is that our community is once again so divergent on issues of race, especially where race intersects with gender.
Vida Williams <vcwilliams@oao.com>
USA - Friday, November 14, 1997 at 10:59:19 (EST)

Humanity's "quest for community" has become a most interesting subject, especially in the light of the postmodernist views of life and humanity. Some of these perspectives seem to understand people as having no responsibility to their fellows. Combined with the existentialist worldviews that insist that each person act upon his/her personal desires, with very little, if any consideration for the social plight of others, have served to through humanity into a lonely existence. Richard Wright seems to capture the essence of this dislocation in his novel The Outsider. I'd be interested in hearing what the readers (those familiar with the book) think about Wright's characterization of the person that is located outside of the multitude of communities that constitute each one of our persons.
Edward L. Bryant, Jr. <elbryant@adlan.memphis.edu>
Memphis, TN USA - Monday, November 10, 1997 at 12:05:41 (EST)

No comments
Yuri Makaev <yura@gw-lt.lipetsk.su>
Leo Tolstoy, Russia - Sunday, November 02, 1997 at 12:24:10 (EST)

the bluest eye is a haunting book. It goes deep into secrets that houses hide from the public. women sitting on porches watch a little girl walk by, her head down, and they can guess but the truth is too hard to look at.
queen
USA - Thursday, October 30, 1997 at 19:27:19 (EST)

Interesting site
Tiziano Vanola <tvanola@tpl.toronto.on.ca>
Toronto, Canada - Friday, October 24, 1997 at 16:18:28 (EDT)

As a scholar of Black Women's Literature, and an aspiring novelist, I found the comments on Hurston's and Morrison's works both interesting and disturbing. In reference to the question about whether one would read Hurston's book if it were written all in dialect--I have read and enjoyed Shakespeare's works. And,yet, as a Blackwoman in US Society, it included me not at all. The language enhanced the characters and there social and historical significance. I don't know that I so much agree with the fact that Hurston's allows her female character to be passive in their lives. Especially she actively makes them the voice of themselves and of each other. (As indicated in the first chapter in the porch front conversation.) That is an overt assignment of agency. The Bluest Eye by Morrison, is one of the most complex novels written, (obviously, in my opinion). It delves into the precariousness of identity in relationship to time/place. There seemed to be some confusion and some dissatisfaction of when certain things took place. Black literature tends to explore the timelessness of Black existence in this real world society. The Bluest Eye did that remarkably. Gloria Naylor's Bailey's Cafe does it overtly as does Gayle Jones' Corrigadora. The "wild child" character is prevalent in Black female literature because it speaks to the paradox between sanity/insanity in our society. How does one continue to interact sanely in a world that treats you illogically as the psychological norm. In this case, how can a young Blackgirl grow up sane (with self identity) when the normalized outward sign of beauty and self identity is Blond with Blue eyes? Well, thank you for hearing my thoughts...
Vida <vcwilliams@earthlink.net>
Durham, NC USA - Friday, October 17, 1997 at 14:57:24 (EDT)

I really love Their Eyes. I enjoyed it and will look for the discussion deal in the future. BYE!
Jason
USA - Wednesday, October 15, 1997 at 22:15:17 (EDT)

Was delighted to find your book discussion group! I'm looking for a speaker on Toni Morrison's works to address a class of high school seniors in west St. Louis County, MO. Sorry, no honorarium -- these are the public schools! But if you love Morrison's works and want to share your love with bright students, please contact me ASAP. We are looking for someone who can explain and relate the African-American perspective on Morrison's works and style to a mostly white audience. Thanks, Marilyn McDonald, Partners in Education, Eureka High School.
Marilyn McDonald <est26@rockwood.k12.mo.us>
USA - Tuesday, October 14, 1997 at 15:09:52 (EDT)

Hi, Pixie! Welcome -- I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Morrison's book! I haven't read any of her other stuff, so I'd be interested in hearing how this one compares.

As I said in my earlier post, I really enjoyed The Bluest Eye. But then I got to the end.

Did anyone else feel cheated? My gosh -- we saw nothing about how Pecola felt about being pregnant or what effect that had on anyone else in her immediate vicinity (just the girls and the town -- but not her mother, for example). We saw nothing about the birth? the miscarriage? And I found the ending really obscure. I wanted to see more of this mythical companion and how Pecola was feeling. Pecola seemed almost as cursorily dismissed by Toni Morrison as she was by the town!

When did Pecola begin to feel that she had blue eyes? Was it after the dog died, or after the baby died, or what? Did she ever have a time when she just enjoyed that feeling, or was the belief always only accepted with the knowledge that it wasn't true?
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Monday, October 13, 1997 at 13:14:32 (EDT)

I am an avid fan of Toni Morrison. The first book of hers I read was BELOVED. It was so powerful and I was very moved. However there were many passages I would love to discuss with others who may have more insight. I was so impressed by BELOVED that I proceeded to read THE BLUEST EYE, SULA, and one other I cannot recall immediately. I am enjoying reading the comments by others on this site and would love to join the discussions. Thanks.
Pixie Arthur <arthurp@enmu.edu>
Ruidoso, NM USA - Saturday, October 11, 1997 at 08:46:40 (EDT)

Well, I promised myself I wouldn't read the Tolstoy stories, having only managed to drag myself through Anna Karenina via brute force, but somehow . . .

Ivan Ilych wasn't THAT bad. {grin} I have a very hard time getting into the characters, the way Tolstoy writes them. And the idea of of the man on his deathbed regretting spending so much time on worldly matters seemed too preachy.

On the other hand . . . there were moments when I genuinely had sympathy for how isolated these people were and of course in particular how isolated and afraid Ivan was. Reminded me of "Touched by an Angel" (if that's not sacrilege to the true scholars among us {grin}), which I cry over practically every week. When push comes to shove, we are all so isolated, so needy, so yearning for comfort.

Relating to the idea of community . . . just about everyone in Ivan Ilych seemed to belong to *society*, but not to a *community*.

I just started "The Bluest Eye", and am really enjoying it. Having had so much fun looking at nature imagery in Hurston's book, I was struck that practically the first thing we saw in "The Bluest Eye" was a nature image! Seemed to mean something very different though. Hurston seemed to glory nature as an ideal state to strive towards, while (in the few pages I've read) "the outdoors" for Morrison's characters is something cruel and to be feared. Even the example of the marigolds, whose blooming was to be seen as a good omen to aid them, was actually an example of feeling hurt and thwarted by nature.
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Sunday, October 05, 1997 at 23:47:48 (EDT)

We need to discuss the Tolstoy short stories, "Master and Man" and "The Death of Ivan Ilych." They're both available online and neither are very long. If you know of any teachers or students that might like to participate in the discussions, tell them they are welcome. And we need some discussion about "The Bluest Eye," too. And thanks again to all of you who have participated in the discussions!
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, September 24, 1997 at 08:59:50 (EDT)

Welcome, Gloria. I hope your students will participate in the discussions. They're all still open, including the Raymond Carver discussion. But we are moving on to the Tolstoy short stories and Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" for the scholars' question and answer program. And we're still interested in your thoughts about Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

Hurston's novel is so full of imagery, as several people have mentioned here, that it's hard to get it all in one reading. One thing I picked up on was Janie "flying" in the hurricane. She seemed to be flying from one stage of life to another.

Both of the Tolstoy short stories are available online and we have links to them on our home page.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, September 12, 1997 at 14:59:08 (EDT)

I look forward to sharing this site with my students who are adults returning to school for a GED and many of whom have little experience with reading fiction. In past years, my classes have enjoyed reading Robert Carver.
Gloria Dove <jdove@mediaone.net>
Arlington , MA USA - Wednesday, September 10, 1997 at 09:13:49 (EDT)

Thanks for your comments Phyllis, Rachel, Seline, Terry & Elizabeth! It was getting pretty quiet for a while. Yes, the guestbook is the only way to participate in the discussion. Unfortunately you can't edit your comments after you submit them, but just correct yourself with another note or send an e-mail to me and we can change it here. If anyone (Elizabeth? others?) would like to continue the Raymond Carver discussion, you're certainly welcome. Vacation time here put us a little behind, but the Tolstoy transcripts should be online soon, as well as The Bluest Eye radio discussion.

David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, September 04, 1997 at 09:19:28 (EDT)

So glad to see some new comments. I'd like to get back to "freedom". Perhaps I'm defining it improperly or have never really known true freedom. I just finished "The Bluest Eye" and again there is a reference to freedom and love. At the end of the book, Morrison says, "love is never any better than the lover. Wicked people love wickedly, violent people love violently, weak people love weakly, stupid people love stupidly. but the love of a free man is never safe." Does that mean none of us is free? What is safe love? What does it mean to be free? I'd like to go back to the Hurston book. At the end, Janie is bitten by Tea Cake before she shoots him. There are references to the teeth marks on her. Are we to assume that she is also doomed?
Phyllis <JROVNER1@OHIOU.EDU>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, September 03, 1997 at 21:13:49 (EDT)

Hurston's TEWWG is one of the most important books in my personal library. I write reviews for a local newspaper and it always makes my annual "Top Ten" list. I'm not a scholar, but I do believe that Hurston hit on an universal nerve...that all people have the right to happiness....and that no one has the right judge another and that we are all equal. I suffered with Janie and I shared in her triumphs and I loved Tea Cake, too.

It's been a long time since I read TEWWG, and I have no new light to shed on Hurston's imagery, style or subject matter. What I can tell you is that she moved me like few other authors have. I have read all of her books and have watched with interest as her works enjoy a revival.
Terry Mathews <tmathews@stargate.1starnet.com>
Winnsboro, TX USA - Wednesday, September 03, 1997 at 07:57:58 (EDT)

Wow, lots of comments! I'm going to try inserting some HTML in here to divide things up -- hope it works and doesn't look awful!

I finished listening to the story -- such a tragic ending! I was struck by the resemblance between Tea Cake and Janie's first husband at the end -- sick in bed, jealous and accusatory. For me, it had the effect of making me feel more sympathetic towards the first husband, in retrospect. Since I knew that Tea Cake's words and deeds were not his own, but the sickness talking, I was more inclined to extend the same benefit of the doubt to the first one. Did anyone else feel that way?

Some other comments -- Phillis, I think that this IS the only way to participate in the Hurston discussion -- but perhaps David has already written to you about this? Anyway, I'm glad you're here -- I've enjoyed seeing your comments. I don't enjoy reading books entirely in dialect much either -- the two-step process of reading and translating in my mind is more distraction than I want. Freedom is a difficult topic. I think you're right that it's impossible to be truly free, if freedom is seen as having no obligations. But I think that there's a freedom that comes when you make your own choices. When I consider freedom that way, I'm not as pessimistic about the chance to become free.

Seline, I'd love to hear more about why you felt Janie came back. I understand leaving Florida, tied as it was to Tea Cake. But for the other?

Elizabeth, I was really interested in your comments about Tess Gallagher and Raymond Carver. Could you tell us what it was that he believed (that you alluded to) before she met him, and how that changed?
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Sunday, August 31, 1997 at 02:38:27 (EDT)

How can I join the Hurston discussion rather than the guestbook?
Phyllis <JROVNER1@OHIOU.EDU>
Athens, OH USA - Monday, August 25, 1997 at 17:07:22 (EDT)

Just read the transcript of the Hurston book and would like to comment a several topics. Edgar asks the question if we would read it if it were all in dialect. Personally, I don't think I could bear it. When I read a book, it is a Zen experience for me, I become one with the book. Since the dialect is foreign to me, I feel like an outsider. I can't get into the book. It may be beautiful, but it doesn't include me. I'm merely an onlooker. I agree that the names in the story are colorful. (Interesting that the main character is "Janie".) However, I think they should not be analyzed and studied. They just exist. They just add to the beauty of the book. When you were talking about names, I'm surprised no one brought up Dickens. Surely a list of Dickens' characters would make interesting reading. The biggest problem I had with the discussion was about freedom. Perhaps it was too brief. Edgar seems to be talking about a freedom that most of us don't have. In some respects none of us is totally free. The only way to achieve that is to buy an island in the Pacific. I have seriously contemplated doing that. I think the reason we can never be free is because we live in groups, be it a marriage, community, etc. Yes, freedom is dangerous. But think of the power!!!! What a joy to be free, really free, even for an hour. By the way, Edgar, the goal of the university is not to produce "free" people, but to produce people that fit in. A free person is like a square peg in a round hole.
Phyllis <JROVNER1@OHIOU.EDU>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, August 24, 1997 at 14:20:28 (EDT)

I have not completed the Hurston book yet although I did read it before. So far I'm feeling that Janie and the other female characters are just letting life happen to them. It is a sad commentary on women, but true. The female role, traditionally in our culture, has been a passive one, letting men make decisions for us and telling us what we should do and what we like. The men in the book are so slimy, they could slither through a the eye of a needle. I'd like to shake Janie and wake her up. She has totally disappeared. Again, this happens to women even today. Hurston's book could have been written about any woman regardless of color or time and still be true. Happily, I see the tide changing. Some women are living the life they choose.
Phyllis <JROVNER1@OHIOU.EDU>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, August 24, 1997 at 10:15:54 (EDT)

Raymond Carver was still alive when I discovered his writing. His book "Where I'm Calling From" and "Will You Be Quiet Please" demonstrated his ability to cut right to the bone with elegant sparing words. I was also very interested in his relationship with Tess Gallagher as it flew in the face of what he believed before she lifted him up and let him observe his own brilliance. I have a fascination with her and her work, it was such an influence on him. I'm very excited to see the attention she is getting on this site, as she is Carver's torch-bearer. He was so amazed when she stayed with him. He had a terrible time when his hair fell out. It was devastating to him. Photographs of that time show him sitting by the river near their home. It was a terrible loss when Carver lost his battle. I wish I had gotten here sooner to participate in the discussion. Thanks for this topic, it's a wonderful site. Elizabeth
Elizabeth Norcross <choux@tiac.net>
Martha's Vineyard, MA USA - Wednesday, August 20, 1997 at 07:48:27 (EDT)

I just finished reading over the transcripts of the radio discussion. The guests brought up some interesting points - nature as Rachel commented, and language...But I want to bring this back to the theme of community. I see Janie as being a member of multiple communities, each with its own social mores which are reflected in her marriages. Different aspects of Janie's character are visible during her sojourn in each community as she continues to grow as an individual and in self-knowledge. She moves from defining herself in relation to what's expected of her to what she wants, feels, desires (closer to nature?) Marilyn Atlas makes the point that to form a community, first you have to be an individual. I don't think that's necessarily true (I mean, we're all individuals, no?) but the individual influences the type of community formed, the strength of the bonds, etc. Rachel (a few posts down) brings up some good questions about the individual and community. Why does Janie come back? Maybe it has something to do with what I said earlier about how she's changed her frame of reference.
Seline <Seline@itsa.ucsf.edu>
San Francisco, CA USA - Friday, August 15, 1997 at 19:01:52 (EDT)

Me again -- listening to the next section of "Their Eyes" while I'm doing the dishes . There's really some marvelously descriptive language, isn't there? I'm having fun picking out the nature references (after having read about that theme on the transcripts of the discussion here) -- even as small as Janie saying she was no longer "petal-open" to her husband. And just now I heard the description of how, after her husband hit her, Janie just stood still in the room. [approximate quoting here, since it's audio and thus not in print before me]: "She stood there until she heard something fall down within her, and then she went to see what it was." It was her image of her husband and their marriage. I just thought that was marvelous how sometimes we realize that something is happening, but can't bear to face it until we go to follow exactly what the conclusion is.
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Friday, August 15, 1997 at 16:59:12 (EDT)

I visit this site occasionally and look forward to the upcoming discussions. I hope that there will be more recent authors highlighted too.
anna wharton <whartont@astral.magic.ca>
mississauga, on Canada - Friday, August 15, 1997 at 08:30:44 (EDT)

How exciting!!!! Now I can be in 2 book groups, one without leaving home and no one will interrupt me. But I don't understand one thing. Edgar, what are you doing here? I thought you didn't even own a computer. Now I see your picture on this lovely web site. Isn't it FUN!!!!!!
Phyllis <jrovner1@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, August 14, 1997 at 22:10:23 (EDT)

Okay, nobody laugh at me, but . . . I've just started listening to "Their Eyes Were Watching God" on audiotape! I swear, I looked for it in print, and it wasn't there. (Well, where I looked, anyway.) Oh, well -- it's beautiful to listen to, also. However, I'm only about a quarter of the way through, so if I say something stupid here in light of the final chapter, forgive me. I think this book is an excellent choice for the theme of community! Practically the very beginning sets us up to wonder about community and the requirements for belonging; we see Janie in opposition to the community. As it goes on, we see how she got married so that she would be acceptable for the community. Then we see her and her new husband head off to another community, where they are actively involved in building and shaping the community. Interesting questions arise about what is the role of the individual in the community. To what extent is conformance a requirement for membership in a community? To what extent will a community tolerate those who stray from its norms? (And that comes out not just in rebellion, but, for example, the resentment of the mayor, as well). Just thinking, again, on the beginning -- the portray is of a woman who has turned her back on the community and its mores. And yet . . . she comes back there. Because there's nothing to keep her away -- but what is it that draws her there IF there is nothing to keep her away? Community again?
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
Washington, DC USA - Wednesday, August 13, 1997 at 00:18:51 (EDT)

I think the "summer slow-down" has arrived! Thanks to Stephanie, Sean, Terry, Dick and Lucy for your recent comments. We need some more questions, comments, ideas and opinions about Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." We need enough material to have a question & answer session! The transcripts for the Hurston program are online now. And the RealAudio program of the Tolstoy discussion is also up and running. Our server logs show that in the last eight weeks, Wired for Books has been visited by folks from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, as well as across the United States (and U.S. Armed Forces somewhere in Africa!). So remember, we need some input on "Their Eyes Were Watching God" as well as the two Tolstoy short stories, "The Death of Ivan Ilych" and "Master and Man." Give us your "two cents worth." We want to know what *you* think. And if you participate in the discussion, you'll automatically be entered in the final drawing for a copy of "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. See you online.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Monday, August 04, 1997 at 14:24:51 (EDT)

I am an avid Tolstoy and Morrison fan. It is refreshing to see others who enjoy reading this material. I miss the great literary discussions I had in college with professors. I hope to gain similar experiences and challenging discussions here.
Stephanie Wall <swall@waite.mcp.com>
Sausalito, CA USA - Friday, July 25, 1997 at 14:44:40 (EDT)

I would like to join your group.
Stephanie Wall <swall@waite.mcp.com>
Sausalito, CA USA - Friday, July 25, 1997 at 14:20:07 (EDT)

My family and I read and discuss Raymond Carver and Tolstoy regularly. Ivan Ilych is a man who has succeeded in his career, has a healthy family, etc. Most people look up to such men... doctors, lawyers, and judges. Ivan, however, has ignored thinking about and working on his relationships, which are sick in much the same way we find in some of Carver's stories. Carver, however, depicts characters unlike Ivan, in that they not only have no positive control over their relationships, but they also are failures in more superficial things like their careers (with a few minor exceptions). All such failures nag at most anyone on a regular basis, and it is my hope that reading and discussing such issues can help us come to a better understanding of what it is to live a good life. This would allow us, unlike Ivan, to learn to live before we die.
Sean Walsh <spwalsh@med.unc.edu>
Chapel Hill, NC USA - Wednesday, July 23, 1997 at 02:22:06 (EDT)

I have just come to this technology. Am learning as I go. Just found your site and got the sound downloaded. Will be here a lot, if that's all right. I love Zora Neale Hurston. Found her several years ago. I write reviews for a local newspaper and TEWWG is always on my annual "Top Ten" list. Have introduced several friends to her work. Thanks for having this site. I'm listening to the radio program...lovely. Will be back, for certain.
Terry Mathews <tmathews@stargate.1starnet.com>
Winnsboro, Tx USA - Monday, July 14, 1997 at 22:52:21 (EDT)

Mr. Carver's stories, segments of our society or "community" are very well written. They are people who are calling from a deep need to know who they are and where they are going. For the most part, they are people who cry out for the help they are unable to provide for themselves. They resort to alcohol or other means to survive in their uncertain world. Their ability to cope with the larger community is limited by their inability to cope with their own lives. In his signature story "Where I'm Calling From" they are all a part of a relevant community. They are all there for basically the same reason and need, and some like J.P. knows he needs to stay rather than go home. In "Bicycles, Muscles and Cigarettes" the boy wants to know what his father was like when he was nine. He needs to know this to know who he is at this time in his life. The mother in "Boxes" is constantly moving to find what she needs, she will never find it because she does not know what she needs or even what she even wants. In "Actual Miles" the husband is inadequate in finances and his marriage. She goes out to sell the car and when she comes home, he is torn by his need to know what happened and why. He makes an appointment for Monday with the salesman, but he will not find his answer. In "Cathedral," you have a husband unable to cope with a larger part of the community, totally unable to communicate or understand one man's disability. In addition, torn by his own weakness, he is unable to trust his own wife. In final, Carver's writings are an interesting insight into some of the weaknesses and segments of our society. Sometimes slightly depressing, yet great.
Dick Stevens <cstevens2@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Monday, July 14, 1997 at 09:44:58 (EDT)

I continue to be amazed at the depth of interests in Zora's work. Zora was my aunt and I am fortunate to know of her on several different levels. I still find her work fascinating and intriguing and each time I re-read her work I find another tidbit to explore and understand.
Lucy Ann Hurston <LHurston@aol.com>
Bloomfield, CT USA - Tuesday, July 08, 1997 at 17:14:20 (EDT)

The radio show about Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God is now online. The Raymond Carver question and answer show is also now online. Both are available now in RealAudio; we'll have the transcripts later.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Monday, July 07, 1997 at 15:27:40 (EDT)

Thanks, Julie, for your insights on Carver, Hurston, & Morrison. You may have noticed that our guestbook was broken for a few days (oops!), but it's working now. Thanks, Tim! We recorded two new radio programs today and we should have the RealAudio online soon and the transcripts a little later. Thanks for your input Sam. Do you know if Raymond Carver was influenced by any Black or Hispanic writers? Daniel Born, are you out there? What's your take on the Carver questions? Today Edgar, Marilyn and guest scholar, Annette Oxindine from Wright State University in Dayton got together in Studio B and talked for an hour about Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. It was exciting to be in the studio with them! Listen in RealAudio real soon (or read the transcripts the old fashioned way) and then join in the discussions! We want to know what you think. One thing that we saw with Carver and all works of literature, I suppose, is that each work has a different effect on each of us. We all have a different take on "Where I'm Calling From." Jackie, I liked the way way you picked up on the "politics of the porch" in Janie's story. Do you think our collective shift from the front porch to the deck in the back yard has affected our sense of community? Nanette, when you come back to Athens, be sure to bring your bicycle (or you can borrow one of mine). The new 12 mile forested bike path is completed and a joy to ride (or skate or walk). And congratulations to Mary L. Novak, winner of the drawing for a copy of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, June 29, 1997 at 22:02:30 (EDT)

I first discovered Carver back in college. My film theory professor had us read his stories and discuss them with films. I was mesmerized. I found his stories thought provoking and memorable. And as a black female, I felt I was seeing lower/middle class white America through the eyes of one of their own. Ironically, I'm a bit apprehensive to show the Hurston/Morrison discussions because most non-black Americans believe that they are speaking for all of black Americans (women). As a suburbanite, I can say that this is not true. So, I admit that I am being prejudice when I discuss Carver. However, when I read his works, I can't image a black man living a life of some of his characters. I find that his female characters are more universal to all women. Especially in, "So Much Water Close To Home". I believe that any woman who reads this story can see herself in this position. I have been asking the question--Did Carver associate with other black or Hispanic (male) writers. I'd love to see an anthology of his works with other 20th Century Male Writers (Garcia Marquez and Ernest Gaines for instance). It would be an excellent example of male writers depicting the US of A in this century. Lastly, for some reason, I have trouble turning others on to Carver. Has anyone else had this problem? (My mother found his stories dry and my boyfriend, (a white man-mind you) told me he couldn't get into them.) Are we some unique group?
Julie Gittens <JAGITTE@aol.com>
Pomona, NY USA - Wednesday, June 25, 1997 at 18:08:51 (EDT)

After listening and reading the (Carver discussion) transcript, my principal comment would be that the level of critique and appreciation of Carver's work was, to say the least, quite impressive. The opinions were divergent, as they should be in any discussion of fine literary fiction, but they were expressed cogently, intelligently, so that there was no doubt that even the demurrer(s) got Carver. As to ideas, I can only again offer that I am available to answer any questions your audience may have about Ray Carver. I do not wish to be construed as the Carver authority, but after all I did write the book on Carver (bad pun). At readings of my book, I answer the frequently asked question as to what was Ray really like, by suggesting they read his book Fires before they go on to read any of his other collections and to pay particular attention to his wonderful poetry. I do not believe there was much mentioned in your program about his poetry. Ray was most proud of that aspect of his writing, Indeed, when he discovered that his illness was incurable, he ceased writing fiction, but wrote another thirty or so poems before his death including What The Doctor Said and Gravy, the poem cut into his gravestone. Contrary to held opinion, the essay on Friendship in which he discusses how in the midst of life, ever present death factors in his relationship with close friends Richard Ford and Tobias Wolff, was written before he was remotely aware of his tragic illness. The only other comment I would make is that the brief mention of Maryann Carver on your program was a bit unfair. In my interviews with Bill Kittredge, Leonard Michaels, Doug Unger, Geoffrey Wolff, as well as with Maryann and Ray's daughter, it is clear that after all, had it not been for her, Ray probably would not have ever become a writer, and most likely would have died a drunk, clicking his heels on the streets of San Francisco. I remain at heart your basic Carver aficionado, and still draw a deep empathetic breath when people tell me that I cried the day I heard Ray died.
Sam Halpert<Samhalpert@aol.com>
Wednesday, June 25, 1997 at 16:38:16 (EDT)

This is the kind of literary discussion I've been looking for - I've long enjoyed R. Carver, which is what drew me to this site. I'm brand new here; haven't participated at all yet.
Christel J. Olson <christel@lib.state.hi.us>
Honolulu, HIHh USA - Tuesday, June 24, 1997 at 14:22:04 (EDT)

I just finished the first nine chapters of "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Hurston gives a powerful description of a young girl's awakening sexuality. I am intrigued by the politics and power of "the porch." I think of the porch as a congress of sorts, which acted to balance Jody's Mayorship. I can't determine if it was Jody's money, his personality, or a combination of the two that gave him so much power. I'd like to hear what others think. It's interesting that a mule that was the focus of the community's scorn when Matt owned him became an object of affection when Jody bought him.
Jackie Carroll <jacarroll@netmcr.com>
USA - Monday, June 23, 1997 at 10:39:10 (EDT)

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly." from "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
Zora Neale Hurston
Haiti - 1937

Just discovered your site by way of an on-line book group list. Zora Neale Hurston is an author that I read nearly ten years ago. I read every book I could get my hands on and then tried desperately to get others to read her works as well so that I could have someone to discuss them with. Finally, ten years later, I will reread them and have others to share comments with! I can't wait!
B Bricker <magdep16@aol.com>
Columbus, OH USA - Friday, June 20, 1997 at 01:40:27 (EDT)

I'm looking forward to participating
Teresa Cottrell <cottrellt@law.stmarytx.edu>
San Antonio, TX USA - Thursday, June 19, 1997 at 14:57:31 (EDT)

Reading allows us to explore our world through the imaginative and creative eyes of others. By providing a medium to promote this phenomena, therefore, your discussion group is making a positive impact on the literate world. I am anticipating the electric "community" of thought that shall soon set afoot.
Stan Blackburn <blac1179@aol.com>
NJ USA - Thursday, June 19, 1997 at 12:01:00 (EDT)

Just discovered your great idea. Looking forward to tuning in and catching up. mln
Mary L. Novak <kngsvlib@ohionet.org>
Kingsville, OH USA - Thursday, June 19, 1997 at 09:06:57 (EDT)

Just what I need; some guided reading. Thanks.
Michele Lauer-Bader <mlauerba@aol.com>
Huntington, NY USA - Thursday, June 19, 1997 at 08:44:50 (EDT)

I'm looking forward to the Hurston discussion.
Marsha Valance <mvalan@mpl.org>
Milwaukee, WI USA - Wednesday, June 18, 1997 at 13:54:22 (EDT)

I am looking forward to learning more about authors.
Joy Kiser <jkiser@cmnh.org>
Cleveland, OH USA - Wednesday, June 18, 1997 at 13:14:43 (EDT)

I am unable to get a sound connection going here at work. I am interested in hearing about your program's reading lists. Do you send announcements by e-mail? Would love to know about them if you do.
Cathryn Allen <allenkit@metronet.lib.mi.us>
Southfield, MI USA - Wednesday, June 18, 1997 at 13:10:49 (EDT)

This is a wonderful project. Please keep up the good work!
Mikele Haskins-Delmore <mdelmore@mail.pratt.lib.md.us>
Baltimore, MD USA - Wednesday, June 18, 1997 at 12:23:43 (EDT)

Considered in its entirety, "Where I'm Calling From", is an excellent example of community and every day life ("Cathedral" and "The Calm" stand out). Carver's stories depict relationships that reflect who we are and why we are. They are not always pretty pictures (ex: Doreen and Earl's marriage in "They Are Not Your Husband" - which, by the way, I really did not feel the love between them, as someone else commented that they did when reading it). But they are very accurate representations of people and our relationships to each other, which is what community is all about. If we don't like what we see, then we need to bring about ways to change it. Kelly
Kelly Holck <kholck@discover-net.net>
USA - Tuesday, June 17, 1997 at 20:46:15 (EDT)

Thanks for reminding me of what was like to live in Athens. I miss the beautiful sights and sounds of my beloved home town. Keep up the great work. Thanks Again!
Nannette Bricker Patterson <nannette.p@usa.net>
Sacramento , CA USA - Monday, June 16, 1997 at 03:18:52 (EDT)

Cathedral didn't seem to say very much about community in any large sense. Apparently a blind man and the husband of his friend share a time of insight and connection when this blind man came to visit. Despite this experience between two individuals where the husband overcame some of his stereotypes of a blind person or least enough tolerate to relate in a different way than stereotypical. If the large community was in this story, it may have been represented in a cultural sense where all three people over ate and drank substituting these activities for closeness. What seems to matter most to me in this story was where the husband and wife couldn't connect satisfactorily to each other. The husband desperately wanted an expression from his wife of how much he had improved her life since their marriage also the husband seem to feel uneasy about just what kind of relationship she was having with the blind man. Yet when invited my his wife to know about their relationship in greater depth he was not interested. And at the end of the story he again block a greater sharing with his wife by not sharing the experience he was having with the blind man. The overall atmosphere of the story felt gloomy, sad, and heavy with alienation which partially is what I am projecting into this story. If the point of this story is stereotype of the handicapped can be overcome which is laudable, it still leave the larger community purpose unfocused. How to unity the mass of people in a cohesive group to some worthy purposes which hopefully may benefit all of us.
boray
chico, ca USA - Sunday, June 15, 1997 at 18:22:36 (EDT)

I suggest it would be useful to the discussion for everyone to keep in mind the distinction between the concept of "community" as humanity in general versus less numerous aggregations of human beings.
lloydr
USA - Saturday, June 14, 1997 at 05:37:35 (EDT)

Hi Elizabeth, This is the place where you can discuss Raymond Carver's stories. This guestbook puts the most recent entry at the top, but if you go to the Raymond Carver page, then you can read what others have said about Carver in the order they were written. You can read the transcripts of the radio program about Carver or listen if you have the RealAudio player. There is a link to the RealAudio site on our first page. It's a free plug-in program that works with Netscape or Internet Explorer. You'll also need a sound card and speakers. Fred and Rachel... I'm glad you enjoyed the radio program. Fred, you write beautifully about Carver's "Cathedral." Do you think it's fair to say that this uplifting story is an exception to most of Carver's stories? What can we learn about community from the stories that don't have a "happy ending?" Rachel, I'm glad you enjoyed the Jay McInerney essay. If some of you haven't noticed, we have linked to several essays and web pages about Carver on the Raymond Carver page, including information about the Carver listserv. You might be interested in subscribing to the listserv, Elizabeth.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, June 13, 1997 at 09:20:49 (EDT)

I am very interested in discussing Raymond Carver. Have I missed it? How do I become involved. thank you. Elizabeth
Elizabeth Watson <choux@tiac.net>
Martha's Vineyard, MA USA - Thursday, June 12, 1997 at 19:44:10 (EDT)

Rachel, I believe that Robert Coles picked the readings for this series.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Thursday, June 12, 1997 at 11:05:46 (EDT)

I actually enjoyed hearing some of the discussion about Carver's background and influences in the "academic discussion". It's always interesting to me to see how the community the author lives in influences the community the author writes about. I was tickled to see that Carver was influenced by the Russian novelists -- David, was this a serendipitous coincidence or a planned thematic choice? Also, sort of a tangent -- I also read the Jay McInerney article about Carver, linked on the Carver page here. (McInerney is one of my faves!) I was struck with how very gentle and soft-hearted Carver was described as being, particularly considering the stark eye that he puts on his characters. It made me wonder if writing in such an uncompromising way of characters caused him to be more gentle with real-life people -- sort of a "to know all is to forgive all" thing. Anyone know?
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Wednesday, June 11, 1997 at 12:16:24 (EDT)

I'm teaching a course in Ray Carver's work at San Diego State University, and while I enjoyed the panelists' discussion, I was particularly troubled by Edgar Whan's characterization of "Cathedral" as a "simplistic" story. Of all the stories discussed, that story is clearly most related to the "community" theme that was ostensibly (but not actually) the subject of their discussion. The narrator begins the story with no sense of community whatever--he lives in a guarded and sheltered world of his own (like many of Carver's characters) and views the world stereotypically. Anyone who seems different from himself is an "Other" and he gets his ideas about others from the movies. "I don't have any blind friends," he says early in the story, and his wife responds, "You don't have ANY friends." This is a man who lives a reclusive, isolated life, trapped in the prison of his own skin and his own bigoted and skewered way of looking at the world. But then he comes into contact with a REAL blind man rather than his stereotypical notion of one and things begin to change. The story for me is about the breakthrough that can occur when we view our fellow human beings as like us rather than as different from us, when we make connections with one another--both physically and spiritually. At the end of the story, the narrator actually touches Robert: "His fingers rode my fingers as my hand went over the paper. It was like nothing else in my life up to now." This is the moment of insight that changes the narrator's life, gets him outside of himself to recognize that he's part of a larger world. The story's final lines emphasize this: "My eyes were still closed. I was in my house. I knew that. But I didn't feel like I was inside anything." Getting outside the confines of the self, seeing the world as others see it, recognizing our common humanity and our common ground--these are the essential elements of community, and I think Whan misses this completely when he calls the story "simplistic." What's simplistic is to divide Carver's stories into "uppers" and "downers" rather than to ask how truly and deeply they reflect actual life, how much they teach us about what it means to be a human being, in this time, in this place. "Cathedral" strikes me as a profound statement of our humanity.
fred moramarco <fmoramar@mail.sdsu.edu>
San Diego, CA USA - Wednesday, June 11, 1997 at 11:17:26 (EDT)

Thanks for the feedback, Greg. Edgar and Marilyn also agree that they were "too academic" and will focus more on "community reconsidered" in the upcoming radio programs. They'll be back in the studio at the end of the month to revisit the writings of Raymond Carver. This will give them a chance to redeem themselves! So what they need from "us amateurs" (professors are welcome, too!) are some opinions, comments and questions about Carver's stories and what, if anything, they can teach us about community. So, we have a few more weeks to talk about Carver and community. What is your favorite Carver story?
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Wednesday, June 11, 1997 at 11:13:11 (EDT)

I thought the idea of having a discussion about Raymond Carver's work revolving around the theme of community was a good and interesting one. I was disappointed by its execution, however. Unfortunately what occurred, which I read in transcript, failed to consider that theme with any depth. I found what the panelists had to say cliched and too narrowly concerned with trite critical ideas. For the future I offer the suggestion that the panelists drop, as much as they can, their academic agendas and prejudices, and examine the texts with as fresh and unbiased an eye as possible. Carver, like many of the greatest writers, is "difficult" in that he pulls no punches: his work is artistically uncompromising. Discussions that argue over the categorization of Carver as a "minimalist," or that spend time evaluating stories according to the "period" of Carver's, or any writer's, artistic development, are largely missing the point. This kind of esoterica is, I speculate, one of the reasons the public has, for the most part, turned away from literary discussion, and literature, in general. They are no longer engaged by what academics, who have historically until recently been conduits for good and great literature, have to say. This is largely the fault of the academics, who seem to have given up on the idea that they have an almost sacred responsibility to the works, and to finding a way to communicate the value of individual pieces of literature to the public, not just to each other. They do literature itself a disservice. The kind of discussion the panelists engaged in talks around the work, instead of speaking to it. In my experience, that's a popular academic ploy that allows the speaker to avoid engaging the text on the terms it demands. I hope in the future the panelists will engage the work more, and save their "academic" concerns for the classroom, where students may use the time profitably, perhaps catching up on their sleep. Perhaps I have been too harsh. I do have hope for future discussions, and I consider the idea of the series an inspired service to the reading community. Thank you for giving it a try. Greg McCracken porchstep@aol.com
Greg McCracken <porchstep>
Burbank, CA USA - Tuesday, June 10, 1997 at 18:46:22 (EDT)

Thanks, Russ, I think you've put into words the feelings of many of Carver's fans. How fortunate you were to spend a month with Robert Coles! Listening for the "long pauses" reminds me of the drawing exercise where the artist draws, not the object at hand, but the empty spaces around it. After the empty spaces are drawn, the object comes into focus. I think Marilyn alluded to this in the radio discussion. Recently, a man told me that Carver's story "So Much Water So Close to Home" was the most powerful work of feminist fiction he's ever read and a woman friend said to me that she felt sorry for Stuart (the insensitive husband) and understood his inability to express himself. Is Carver a feminist writer? Any thoughts anyone?
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Tuesday, June 10, 1997 at 10:39:24 (EDT)

Dear Mr.Kurz, I am a physician living in Cincinnati, and a former English major at the University of Notre Dame. While in medical school, I was fortunate enough to be a student of Dr. Robert Coles for a month and to listen to him talk about the works of Raymond Carver firsthand. What struck me the most about Dr. Coles' readings of Carver's work, was his solemn manner throughout his lecture. There were long pauses between thoughts, allowing Carver's messages to resonate personally with each student. These stories of Carver's were very important to Coles, and subsequently to me, because Carver is clearly struggling with something in each one of them. He struggles with what it means to be poor. He struggles with what it means to be ambivalent about the awesome and ever-present responsibility of parenthood. He struggles with what it means to be an alcoholic, and he struggles with what it means to try to simply be with somebody in friendship. This is the community of which Coles speaks, and about which Carver sought to write. He describes simply, and deeply the community to which all of us belong, the common unity of human existence, of human being. Carver writes of what it means to be living a life on this planet with others who share these same struggles and dilemmas, but through slightly different sets of eyes, or through no eyes at all, as in Cathedral. Morrison writes of these same struggles through yet another set of eyes (beautiful brown ones that she wishes were blue). Tolstoy writes through the eyes of a man struggling with his last moments on earth, who feels utterly alone and in despair until the routine kindness of his servant Gerasim allows him to go peacefully from the world. All this talk of being unable to quantify "community" in these short stories, or to "stratify stratifications" takes some of the beauty and mystery out of this mystifying story about a simple moment of clarity for one person trying to "connect" with another who seems so different from himself. Carver, at his best, lets us feel that we are all a part of this community, no matter how different or petty we may seem to each other. My personal favorite story is "A small, good thing", in which a mean and petty baker, not a family member, and not a physician, is the one who ends up comforting a couple in terrible need. We all can learn much from Raymond Carver if we listen for the long pauses and let his stories and characters resonate with us.
Russ Kolarik <kolarik@ibm.net>
Cincinnati, OH USA - Saturday, June 07, 1997 at 02:12:01 (EDT)

Thanks, Lloyd, for taking my "mini-theory" and running with it! Lots of food for thought. Back to Raymond Carver...do you think his stories can teach us anything about community? What do you think of the couple in "So Much Water So Close to Home?" Is that a case of a good person making a series of bad decisions? Or do you even see him as a "good person?" Alberto, I loved your "mini-love story" and the Carver connection! Did you mean 1987 when you wrote 1997? Has Carver been translated into Portuguese or do you read his stories in English? I was also wondering if any of Carver's stories are read in the literature departments of your universities?
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, June 06, 1997 at 15:48:22 (EDT)

David, further on your mini-theory that "(short stories don't have enough) time to develop the number of characters sufficient to give the feel of community." I think the Iris Murdoch novels I've read are good examples of trying to accomplish that, in longer fiction, with family-centered communities; and Iris' success in this regard is basically like the success of GBS's famous bicycle-riding dog. It's not that the dog does it so well that's astounding, but that the dog does it at all. In my opinion communities are essentially too superficial -- not too complicated because composed of so many complicated individuals -- for artists of fiction (of any length) to care about trying to capture. (Why else do we so often participate in communities as couples instead of as individuals?) Artists must be concerned both with truth and with the "fit" of their medium to the particular truth they're trying to portray. So consider Max Planck's comment on the community of theoretical physicists: "Truth never triumphs in the end. Its opponents die." If the role of truth is so slight among the community of theoretical physicists, how much less important must it be in other communities? I would even go so far as to argue that what communities essentially do is reinforce their most dominant members' fantasies. How could serious artists be seriously concerned to capture that ugliness on the written page?
lloydr
USA - Thursday, June 05, 1997 at 08:14:22 (EDT)

Interesting concept, but it will take me a little getting used to: I prefer spontaneous communications.
Gerald Grenfell <grenfell@lvdi.net>
Boulder City, NV USA - Thursday, June 05, 1997 at 02:00:02 (EDT)

Hi.
SIM <sphelps@lanminds.com>
oakland, ca USA - Tuesday, June 03, 1997 at 19:27:38 (EDT)

I look forward to being part of this discussion group. I have never belonged to a group such as this before and my work schedule has prohibited it during the school year (I teach family studies at Messiah College and commute during the year).
Debra L. Berke <Eustis525@aol.com>
Newark, DE USA - Tuesday, June 03, 1997 at 15:52:29 (EDT)

I do assign Their Eyes Were Watching God to high school sophomores in a unit called "Search For Self." It is one of the favorite novels even though the dialect can be daunting. Hurston's imagery and use of language is exquisite ("the sun left its foot prints in the sky."). I look forward to the comments and discussion.
Janet Freeman <freezy@earthlink.net>
Columbia, MD USA - Tuesday, June 03, 1997 at 15:21:51 (EDT)

I'm sorry for my deeply poor English, but it isn´t my fault, as you may imagine. I am only writing to say that Ray mond Carver had changed my entire life. I have started to read his stories in 1997, when he was first published in my country ("What we talk about...") and since that moment he became the modern writer that have struck me with such a force I can't put it in words (as he could). Nevertheless, what makes me doing this is a fact that I, in some strange way, witnessed: in 1988, I started what would became the first serious relationship of my life. Its beginning was, naturally, sealed with a kiss. Very well: that kiss happened on August, 2, at the very same instant (I know it now) that Mr. Carver died. That just some fait-divers stuff, but I can't help myself, from time to time, to look above my shoulder waiting for an indetermined explanation for that "sign".
Alberto Gonçalves
Oporto, Portugal - Monday, June 02, 1997 at 17:01:15 (EDT)

I have a copy of "Their Eyes Were Watching God", so you don't need to enter me in the contest. Haven't read Carver, but have read all the others, I believe. Will be looking forward to the Hurston discussion most.
Cheryl Boone-Delgado
San Antonio, TX USA - Monday, June 02, 1997 at 12:04:15 (EDT)

oops. guess that last message wasn't an "elaboration." Sorry fellow readers and writers.
lloydr <lloydr@netwizards.net>
USA - Monday, June 02, 1997 at 08:28:05 (EDT)

David, I like your mini-theory. an elaboration: written fiction is to community like movies are to non-interpersonal-relationships information. trying to imagine written fiction dealing beautifully with community is like trying to imagine a movie dealing beautifully (for example) with the fundamental theorem of calculus. I'll be interested to see if any of the upcoming readings makes me think differently.
lloydr <lloydr@netwizards.net>
USA - Monday, June 02, 1997 at 08:17:57 (EDT)

Edgar and Marilyn will be back at the end of the month to answer any questions or comments posted here about the Raymond Carver readings. After thinking about the "Carver-community" question for a while, it seems, perhaps, that Carver's close look at couples and families interpersonal relationships doesn't easily lend itself to discussions of "community" as we typically think of it. Maybe that's the nature of the short story, too. There's just not enough time to develop the number of characters sufficient to give the feel of community. What do you think of my mini-theory? One of the comments/criticisms raised several times in the program was that Carver's stories are "downers" or that his best-received stories were the most positive ones, like "Cathedral."
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, June 01, 1997 at 11:48:04 (EDT)

I too was disappointed to not hear Community discussed in the radio presentation, which struck me as basically pre-prepared "professors' talks." Maybe the talkers have been over-worked lately grading papers, etc. . .??
lloyd <lloydr@netwizards.net>
USA - Saturday, May 31, 1997 at 05:00:50 (EDT)

We'll be talking about just the four books in this project - one per month. If anyone would like to jump ahead and discuss "Their Eyes Were Watching God" or "The Death of Ivan Ilych" or "The Bluest Eye" - that's fine, too! Any thoughts on the Raymond Carver discussion by Edgar, Marilyn and Daniel??
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, May 30, 1997 at 12:30:04 (EDT)

How often do you change the books that you discuss?
Lucille Maddox <maddoxlu@mail.oplin.lib.oh.us>
East Liverpool, Oh USA - Friday, May 30, 1997 at 12:18:20 (EDT)

I'm a librarian very interested in encouraging book discussion at our library. We have a book discussion series focusing on short stories this summer. I led a discussion of Their Eyes Were Watching God last fall. I'd like to hear from anyone with ideas to promote attendance.
Christine Gramm <christine.gramm@medina.lib.oh.us>
medina, OH USA - Thursday, May 29, 1997 at 15:19:03 (EDT)

I enjoy reading books. I am going to get my copies of the books mentioned here this week.
Fernanda Mehta <FernandaM@aol.com>
Rocky Hill, CT USA - Thursday, May 29, 1997 at 10:26:32 (EDT)

Carver's new to me and he's a hell of a writer. Nonetheless, I wonder if my discomfort with the Cathedral first person's superficiality in his thinking about Beulah's "pitiful life" married to a blind man reflected my own depth, or just changed times. I share an office space with a blind woman -- just the two of us -- and we often discuss our love lives; I've never had a thought remotely resembling the Carver character's. Needless to say, assuming Carver's purpose was to portray a superficial individual, how could the individual be THAT superficial?? I also enjoyed Robert Coles' introductory essay, and would make one comment on it. If "love is the answer" (to quote Mr. Lennon), for saving everyone from the severely lost-isolated of Tolstoy to mildly inter-personal dysfunctionals who can't help disrupting communities, then the question has not been broadly enough stated. That is, there are many unhealably damaged human animals out here, and it is only the fortunate for whom love CAN BE the answer. (I hope neither of those comments is a discussion-stopper. Neither was meant to be.)
Lloyd <lloydr@netwizards.net>
USA - Wednesday, May 28, 1997 at 04:29:15 (EDT)

This is a wonderful idea and the choice of Carver, Morrison et al, writers dealing with emotional connection, is a tasty irony for devotees of the web who connect in a new dimension, but with the same emotional equipment. I look forward to the discussion. best, jpm
John Paul Moore <JohnPaulMoore@worldnet.att.net>
Austin, TX USA - Tuesday, May 27, 1997 at 15:02:04 (EDT)

I will spend some time here. It is exciting to think about the concepts of community. My company publishes a local newsletter, Building Bridges, about the concepts of community.
Phil Johnson <pjohnson@net-link.net>
Portage, MI USA - Tuesday, May 27, 1997 at 09:37:39 (EDT)

Boray -- I was intrigued by your comment that "Another point which bothers me is how we can have community when for example one is focused on gender or strongly held views where the goal is not "everyone together" but my group is the hero and demands their viewpoint for the community. Conflicts between gender, age, ideology which the panelists exemplified are hard to reconcile with community." I haven't heard the panelists' remarks, unfortunately, but I think a key issue with regard to your question is how you define community? Is it environmental, socioeconomic, or can it also be split up along the lines of gender or age? And certainly ideology seems like reasonable way to define community. And is it always wrong to have smaller sub-communities, leading to division, or can it sometimes be a recognition that groups of people, like individuals, can have individual characteristics? (oops, startin' to sound like a soapbox, sorry!) Another thought on those lines -- are people operating within different layers of community? Sometimes in the community of their gender, perhaps, and sometimes in the community of their family?
Rachel <allegria@his.com>
USA - Monday, May 26, 1997 at 14:21:31 (EDT)

I lead a book group of international women who read and discuss in English as their common language. I am very interested in introducing this group to Zora Neale Hurston, and am happy to have found your project!
Kitty Callan Skinner <Skinners@Compuserve.com>
APO, AE USA - Monday, May 26, 1997 at 10:09:11 (EDT)

Thanks, Boray, for starting the discussion. Yes, I think you're right. We need to focus more on "community" during these discussions. What do you think of the story, "They're Not Your Husband?" I saw it as a bittersweet love story (the community of two). More bitter than sweet, to be sure. Earl didn't really have any admirable qualities that I saw. "What does she see in him?" How many times have we said/heard/thought that question? Yet, Doreen obviously sees something in him. She goes on the crazy diet, loses the 20 pounds or whatever. And even when Earl acts like a jackass at her workplace, the restaurant, and everyone's looking at Earl the fool, saying, "Who's this joker?" Doreen defends him "He's a salesman (he is "somebody") He's my husband" (I'll still claim him) But, Earl, eat your sundae and go home, okay?
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, May 25, 1997 at 19:56:41 (EDT)

I listened to real audio discussion about Raymond Carver yet didn't perceive much connection with the topic community reconsidered. Negative examples of community were mentioned in some of the analysis by the panelist. I would like other listeners or the panelists help me make better sense of Carver's short stories and community. Another point which bothers me is how we can have community when for example one is focused on gender or strongly held views where the goal is not "everyone together" but my group is the hero and demands their viewpoint for the community. Conflicts between gender, age, ideology which the panelists exemplified are hard to reconcile with community. I would appreciated any responses, thanks.
Boray
Chico, CA USA - Sunday, May 25, 1997 at 18:32:03 (EDT)

Congratulations to Lloyd Rowsey of Alameda, California, winner of the first drawing for a free copy of "Short Cuts" by Raymond Carver. We'll have our second drawing on June 29 for a copy of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. To be eligible for the second drawing, just participate in the discussion about the stories of Raymond Carver or first-time visitors may just sign the guestbook and tell us "where you're calling from."
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Sunday, May 25, 1997 at 15:21:24 (EDT)

This is nice, any more sites like this. I would love to discuss Faulkner, Ezra Pound or Bernard Shaw. Pablo Neruda, Steinbeck and Hemingway would be great as well. Actually, Updike, Sontag, Didion and Vidal, or maybe....
T. Q. Alexander <rattler@gte.net>
Long Beach, CA USA - Sunday, May 25, 1997 at 11:22:52 (EDT)

Wonderful project.
lloyd rowsey <lloydr@netwizards.net>
alameda, ca USA - Saturday, May 24, 1997 at 16:46:51 (EDT)

Thank you for making me aware of your web site. I found out about it in the author fan club section of Book Central.
Nate Nevid <Trikook>
Palm Beach, FL USA - Friday, May 23, 1997 at 19:57:40 (EDT)

Wonderful way to get internet junkies to read a book!
Chris Leidig <Bandie70@aol.com>
Akron, oh USA - Friday, May 23, 1997 at 00:01:27 (EDT)

Can't wait to be part of the discussion.
Brenda Severa <brencpa@execpc.com>
Green Bay, WI USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 23:57:45 (EDT)

I just found out about this group thru another e-bookclub in which I participate. I think it is a wonderful idea, and I like the selection of books to read. I also have just pur- chased a sound card, so I will try RealAudio also.
Gary L. Dolan <dolan@inetnebr.com>
Lincoln, NE USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 13:37:00 (EDT)

Looking forward to this unique experience.
B Davidson <bsdavidson@aol.com>
USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 11:47:25 (EDT)

This is a great idea! I look forward to participating and broadening my outlook. I have always lived in the same place and have strong, long-lived relationships with many people here. Those bonds are my key to coping with "suffering and loss." (They also provide most of the joyful times of my life also.)
Linda L. Winchenbach <Att100@aol.com>
FL USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 09:44:23 (EDT)

Wonderful concept. I learned of it day-before-yesterday in a New York Times Book Forum, checked Carver's "Where I'm Calling From" out of my library yesterday, and read "Cathedral" last nite. As a writer who's almost given up on both fiction AND communities, I look forward very much to participating. -- lloyd
lloyd rowsey <lloydr@netwizards.net>
alameda, ca USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 07:59:53 (EDT)

I'm looking forward to some great reading and a stimulating discussion!
Sandy Dehmer <dehmer@gte.net>
Kent, Wa USA - Thursday, May 22, 1997 at 00:27:00 (EDT)

Look forward to reading the recommended books and people's comments about them.
Jo Anne Kindler <mcpb80b@prodigy.com>
San Marino, CA USA - Wednesday, May 21, 1997 at 23:55:46 (EDT)

Looking forward to a summer of great books and good discussions.
Eva Bauer <bauer@rohan.sdsu.edu>
San Diego, CA USA - Wednesday, May 21, 1997 at 21:00:51 (EDT)

This sounds like great fun. Thanks for offering it this summer. Rex
Rex Miller <rmill@sunny.ncmc.cc.mi.us>
Petoskey, MI USA - Wednesday, May 21, 1997 at 10:13:39 (EDT)

What a great idea! You have chosen good selections. I've been meaning to read these titles for awhile. Now I will.
Kelly Holck <kholck@discover-net.net>
Superior, WI USA - Wednesday, May 21, 1997 at 09:07:49 (EDT)

I read Neale Hurston's novel a bit ago because I thought it was a shame that she was never assigned reading in my anthropology courses. I'm looking forward to discussing the book with other folk.
Seline Szkupinski Quiroga <seline@itsa.ucsf.edu>
SF, CA USA - Tuesday, May 20, 1997 at 22:42:36 (EDT)

i don't know my URL. do you know how i get one? obvious beginner at these things..thanks
chris brady <jbrady@norfolk-county.com>
franklin, ma USA - Tuesday, May 20, 1997 at 18:09:45 (EDT)

I look forward to the discussions.
barbara
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 1997 at 11:45:14 (EDT)

Only that I think this is a great idea and welcome the chance for discussion.
Greg McCracken <porchstep@aol.com>
Burbank, CA USA - Monday, May 19, 1997 at 13:46:37 (EDT)

I think that it would be a great idea. I would like many other people, enjoy it a lot.
Adrian Swinoga <Zazanu@hotmail.com>
Launceton, tas Australia - Monday, May 19, 1997 at 05:44:42 (EDT)

Notified by David Kurz on Carver-l
John Orla-Bukowski <mrbun@silcom.com>
Solvang, CA USA - Sunday, May 18, 1997 at 02:00:22 (EDT)

Looking forward to discussion. Regarding Altman's SHORT CUTS, I thought it was a good movie, but not up to Altman's best. I would also have to agree, though, that the movie does not convey at all the mood of a Carver short story.
Sean Allan <SMDA@aol.com>
Chico, Ca USA - Sunday, May 18, 1997 at 00:34:51 (EDT)

What a wonderful idea - an web based book discussion group!
Susan Hayes <shayes@worthington.lib.oh.us>
worthington, oh USA - Saturday, May 17, 1997 at 09:28:13 (EDT)

I'm looking forward to the book discussion this summer! It sounds like a great idea! Thank you sounds like a great idea!
Robert W. Hoff <hoff@harford.lib.md.us>
Forest Hill, MD USA - Friday, May 16, 1997 at 14:38:52 (EDT)

I am very interested in Carver's stories and look forward to future discussions.
Chas. Michel <cmiche19@mail.idt.net>
Cincinnati, Oh USA - Friday, May 16, 1997 at 14:36:12 (EDT)

I got here while looking for more information on Tess Gallagher. I picked up her book PORTABLE KISSES EXPANDED at my university library. I was knocked out by the intensity and deconstruction of her grief. So far, my only exposure to Carver has been from the movie SHORTCUTS. I am an Altman fan, and I thought the movie was one of his best. Interesting that many responders to this site disagree. I will have to make the time to read the Carver stories in their original form. Maybe I will change my opinion of the film. Cross-medium interpretation is one of my favorite subjects; I hope to one day teach a class on the subject of adapting literature to film.
Stephanie Braunstein <SBRAUNSTEIN@vms1.cc.uop.edu>
USA - Thursday, May 15, 1997 at 19:57:39 (EDT)

Thanks for announcing this admirable series at The Whole Wired Word's "What Are You Reading? page. I think your readers/listeners/subscribers might be interested in our online magazine for readers, and if any of them happen to be young authors with original work they'd like to see published in our digital pages I hope they'll drop me a line. Carri Hendricks, a student of Barry Hannah's at Ole Miss, is the first to appear in "New Voices" with two excellent short stories. We hope many talented writers will follow her good example. Good luck with your series on Carver et al.
John Bancroft <bancroft@pictograph.com>
Tampa, FL USA - Tuesday, May 13, 1997 at 15:10:48 (EDT)

I heard about this because David Kurz of your office put a notice, with URL, on The Christian Science e-Monitor Book Forum. I look forward to seeing these discussions develop.
Nancy Charlton <nanc@europa.com>
Portland, OR USA - Tuesday, May 13, 1997 at 00:28:24 (EDT)

Just logged on. I'm looking forward to the conversation.
doris alvarez <dalvarez@ec.sdcs.k12.ca.us>
Poway, CA USA - Monday, May 12, 1997 at 00:15:52 (EDT)

I'll have to get back to you on SHORT CUTS, Fred. For awhile there I used to seek out movies which were based on novels/short stories. If I enjoyed the film, I'd check out the original source, the novel, short story, whatever. Alan Parker's film, BIRDY, turned me onto the works of William Wharton, and Scorcesse's LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST turned me onto Nikos Kazantzakis, but Altman's SHORT CUTS didn't do anything to turn me onto Raymond Carver. I didn't go looking for Raymond Carver after I saw the movie. That's all I can tell you. I also like to watch movies which are based on novels/short stories which I have already read. Usually it's disappointing (although the film adaptation of Wharton's A MIDNIGHT CLEAR wasn't too bad, not nearly as powerful as the novel, but still a good movie). I hadn't read any Raymond Carver when I first saw SHORT CUTS. As a film, it just didn't work for me at all. I wasn't emotionally drawn into any of it. I didn't feel for any of the characters. Now, having read most of Carver's short stories and poems, in the film, the realism, the lasting quality of the images---just wasn't there like it is in Carver's writing. Take a story like "Careful" for instance. That's the story about the guy who's separated from his wife and he's living on the top floor of a house having champagne and doughnuts for breakfast one morning when his wife drops by to have a talk except he can't hear her very well because he has wax build-up in one ear and they spend the whole time trying to find a way to get the wax out of his ear instead of talking like she wanted to. See? I haven't read that story in about 8 months and I can remember it---I can *see it*---perfectly, like something that I actually witnessed. When I read a Carver story, it leaves an impression, to say the least---it's impressive. SHORT CUTS didn't even come close to having that effect on me. I didn't walk away thinking, "Wow," like I do most of the time when I read a Raymond Carver story. That's the bottom line. Tess Gallager may have approved the film; Carver himself could have approved it if he'd been alive---but it wouldn't have made any difference in my reaction to the film though. As a film, it didn't move me. As an adaptation of Carver's works---the film pales in comparison to the power of Carver's written words. I'll try to rent the video this weekend and see if I change my mind.
Phillip Cairns <phillip@cs.mun.ca>
Canada - Saturday, May 10, 1997 at 17:39:43 (EDT)

Let me just respectfully disagree with Phil Cairns' comments about Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" posted here. I think it's a remarkable movie, as does Tess Gallagher, Carver's widow, who served as a consultant on the project. It's obviously a free-wheeling adaptation of Carver, not a literal rendering of the story, and several of the characters--Zooey and her mother, for example--do not appear in Carver's work at all, but Altman gets the gritty side of Carver's world (transposed to Southern California) down very well. I especially love the way the stories intersect with one another, and how different characters are major figures in one story and minor figures in another. In short, I think it's one of the great American films of the '90s, so there's no accounting for taste, is there Phil?
Fred Moramarco <fmoramar@mail.sdsu.edu>
San Diego, CA USA - Saturday, May 10, 1997 at 12:06:28 (EDT)

Great, I'm so glad these works are being honored. Thank you.
Eleanor Wormwood <erniew@erols.com>
Colton's Point, MD USA - Friday, May 09, 1997 at 12:07:50 (EDT)

Since I was introduced to Carver, about a year and a half ago, I think I've read all of his collected short stories and two books of his poetry ("Happiness", a perfect little poem from WHERE WATER COMES TOGETHER WITH OTHER WATER, comes to mind now as I think of his poetry, and the one from FIRES that begins with, "I have always wanted brook trout for breakfast"---I *love* that; what a great opening line), but the only version of "So Much Water" that I've read is from WHERE I'M CALLING FROM, which I believe is the revised version. And here's the kicker of it: I like it but I don't love it. It's one of the few stories from that collection I haven't been able to read more than once. I saw Robert Altman's adaptation of it in his film SHORT CUTS before I read the story, and now I can't read the story without thinking about the movie---which I did not like and I would not recommend to ANYONE; don't even bother with it as a curiosity---just forget it. Regardless of how literal the adaptations are, it's not a very good film. It didn't help turn me onto Raymond Carver at all. It's been about 3 years since I've seen the film; perhaps if I saw it now, after having read most of Carver's stories and poems, I would feel differently. But I doubt it. (How's that for a promo of SHORT CUTS?)
Phillip Cairns <phillip@cs.mun.ca>
Canada - Friday, May 09, 1997 at 11:48:54 (EDT)

This is a great idea!
ann edmonds <edmondsa@isbe.accessus.net>
sterling, il USA - Thursday, May 08, 1997 at 20:26:27 (EDT)

Great idea, I'm looking forward to the radio series.
Colleen Gajda <maculate@aol.com>
Burlington, VT USA - Wednesday, May 07, 1997 at 13:38:44 (EDT)

"...he had a great laugh. His whole body would collapse backwards as if he had been struck in the chest with something happy and his face would wrinkle and a high raspy noise would burst out again and again."
Eli Curry Asher <easher@u.washington.edu>
Seattle, wa USA - Tuesday, May 06, 1997 at 13:37:24 (EDT)

A very innovative and ambitious project. I eagerly await the launch of this project!
Mike Welker <mwelker@bgnet.bgsu.edu>
Bowling Green, OH USA - Monday, May 05, 1997 at 10:52:12 (EDT)

I'm glad to see my alma mater is offering this literary endeavor.
Judy Lanning Deal <walibadu@ohionet.org>
USA - Thursday, May 01, 1997 at 11:38:11 (EDT)

An interesting theme, this, of community reconsidered. To me, a successful community depends on two somewhat competing elements: One, the recognition of our common humanity; and two, the recognition that it is strikingly hard to walk in anyone else's shoes other than our own, and thus we must listen to and respect the viewpoint and experiences of others. Speaking as someone who is (as of yet) not terribly familiar with the works being discussed, I'm already outlining in my head. It looks like three authors deal with stratified communities (Morrison, Hurston, Tolstoy) and one less so (Carver); on the other hand, it seems that one work is about breaking through stratification (Tolstoy's) and the others concern more people dealing with the realities of their own community as being stratified -- of living with the reality of a subcommunity. I'm particularly looking forward to hearing about Carver's work, since I really enjoy seeing what is familiar to me in a new way. And of course, I'm looking forward to finding out how far off-base my initial impressions are! ;)
Rachel Jaffe <allegria@his.com>
USA - Monday, April 28, 1997 at 23:46:44 (EDT)

Looking forward to the discussions
Janet Freeman <freezy@earthlink.net>
Columbia, MD USA - Saturday, April 26, 1997 at 13:35:34 (EDT)

I am looking forward to participating in literary discussions.
Elizabeth Watson <choux@tiac.net>
Tisbury, MA USA - Friday, April 25, 1997 at 18:50:15 (EDT)

Welcome to our guestbook page. You can add your ideas, questions, and comments about the readings here.
David Kurz <kurz@ohiou.edu>
Athens, OH USA - Friday, April 25, 1997 at 10:37:23 (EDT)