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JB Minton 📺's avatar

This is an excellent reading. Raymond Carver was the Willie Nelson of short story writing. Everything he created was perfect because it was all authentic to his voice.

I discovered Carver’s writing in the same undergraduate BFA course that I was assigned your story “A Drug Called Tradition.” That was the semester I learned the power of short stories.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

The Willie Nelson of stories! That’s a great analogy for Carver.

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Ernie Brill's avatar

Give my regard to the First Indian On rthe Mon.

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Ernie Brill's avatar

FINE. YOUR STUFF IS AMONG THE BEST WRIITING IN THE US.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

THANK YOU! Hahahaha

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Laurie Thurston's avatar

The best part was when Deborah Treisman compared the scene of being in the well to that of being inside a chimney -- looking at that patch of sky -- and you were all "Wow!", excited to see something in a new way. Loved the story and the conversation after. Great choice. Carver's images remain resonating in my mind.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Laurie, for the kind words. And thanks for noticing that moment in the interview. I felt like a student!

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Laurie Thurston's avatar

Always something to learn. My students love your work (as do I!)

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Ernie Brill's avatar

I , rewant to recommend some terrific US stories that have not gotten the cred; read them on your post. first of all, read your fantastic "Scalp Dancer"- so amazing Ive read it to different students often. Toshio

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Ernie Brill's avatar

Toshio Mori's "The Trees" is brilliant, as are Toni Cade Bambara's "The Apprentice" ( in The Seabirds Are Still Alive", Chester Himes' Lunching At The Ritz". "" Richard wright's "Fire and Cloud", James Mcperson'dkasefewqq

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Kim Barnes's avatar

Powerful and moving reading of this story!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Kim!

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Wayne Kigerl's avatar

Sherman's voice is a many-splendored thing.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Wayne! So fun to hear that since I did so much speech therapy for my lisp and stutter during my youth. I guess I make it work now!

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Wayne Kigerl's avatar

Not sure if it's string or percussion. Maybe whistling on a blade of grass?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I never could make those blades of grass sing! Nor can I whistle or snap my fingers!

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Wayne Kigerl's avatar

Well, there goes the Jug String Band.

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Ernie Brill's avatar

other great stories are Grace Palelyl's " He Tells Me The Story of His Life" B.Traven's 'Assembly Line, Ernest Gaines' Just Like A Tree", Nicholosa Mohr's "Amy on Thanksgiving" from ' A woman's Portolfolio; Janice Mirikitan's short short story "Tomatoes" in her poetry book Out of the' Dust". a truly stunning story is "A Sense of by James Allan McPherson whose collection Elbow Room is one of sthe finer collections in ANY lit[rtutr/ AND TRY DAMON RUNYON'S THE SNATCHING OF BOOKIE BOB AND/OR THE BRAIN GOES HOME! OR HENRY DUMAS' FON OR STRIKE AND FADE!!! WOW!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks for the suggestions, but my newsletter is just for my stuff!

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