Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love summary
Brief summary
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver is a collection of short stories that delves into the complexities of love and relationships. Carver's minimalist style and raw portrayal of human emotions make this book a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Topics
Table of Contents
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Summary of key ideas
The Complexity of Love
In What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver, the author delves into the intricate and multifaceted nature of love. The collection of short stories explores the various forms of love, from romantic relationships to familial bonds, and the often complicated emotions that accompany them.
One of the stories, “Gazebo,” follows a couple who spends their time building a gazebo in their backyard, intending it to be a symbol of their love. However, as the story progresses, we see their relationship unravel, highlighting the fragility of love and the inability to control its fate.
Love's Darker Side
Carver also delves into the darker side of love. In the story “I Could See the Smallest Things,” a woman reflects on her relationship with her ex-husband, who was abusive. The story is a poignant exploration of how love can be entangled with pain and suffering, and how it can lead to destructive relationships.
In “So Much Water So Close to Home,” the narrative centers around a group of men who discover a dead body during a fishing trip. Instead of reporting it immediately, one of them decides to continue with the trip, causing a rift between the group and his wife. This story examines the complexities of trust and loyalty within a marriage.
Love's Elusive Nature
Carver also portrays the elusive nature of love. In “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” two couples sit around a table, discussing their personal definitions of love. Each character presents a different perspective, leaving the reader with the understanding that love is a concept that is difficult to define and even more challenging to understand.
“Why Don’t You Dance?” explores the aftermath of a failed relationship. The protagonist, unable to let go of his past, sets up a yard sale with all his household items arranged exactly as they were in his former home. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the lingering impact of lost love.
Confronting Love's Realities
Throughout the collection, Carver confronts the realities of love, often exposing its imperfections. In “A Serious Talk,” a couple discusses their failing marriage, highlighting the disillusionment that can occur even in the most committed relationships. The story serves as a sobering reminder that love doesn't always conquer all.
In conclusion, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love is a powerful exploration of the complexities and contradictions of love. Carver's stories are raw, unflinching, and often uncomfortable, but they offer a profound insight into the human experience of love and all its intricacies.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is What We Talk About When We Talk About Love about?
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love is a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver that delves into the complexities of human relationships. Through raw and minimalist prose, Carver explores the different facets of love, from romantic to familial, and the ways in which it can both uplift and unravel our lives. Each story offers a glimpse into the quiet moments and unspoken emotions that shape our connections with others.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Review
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981) delves into the complexities of love and relationships, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in human connections. Here's why this book stands out:
- It explores various facets of love through ordinary yet profound conversations, offering deep insights into the human heart and mind.
- The stories showcase raw emotions and vulnerabilities in relationships, creating a realistic and relatable portrayal of love's intricacies.
- By presenting ambiguous and thought-provoking narratives, the book challenges conventional notions of love, keeping readers hooked till the last page.
Who should read What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?
Readers who enjoy introspective and thought-provoking literature
Those interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships
Individuals who appreciate minimalist and precise writing styles
Categories with What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Book summaries like What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love FAQs
What is the main message of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?
Love takes many forms but can be elusive and complex.
How long does it take to read What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?
Reading time varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read quickly.
Is What We Talk About When We Talk About Love a good book? Is it worth reading?
It's worth reading for its raw exploration of love and relationships.
Who is the author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?
The author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love is Raymond Carver.
What to read after What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?
If you're wondering what to read next after What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susann Jeffers
- Making It All Work by David Allen
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
- Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
- The Da Vinci Curse by Leonardo Lospennato
- The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau