"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver, as read by James Naughton

[@timmi59]

Wow. I know this story as intimately as anyone. But this reading has helped me see it in a completely different light. Thank you for sharing.

[@CreativLEEProduction]

I totally agree. He literally brought the story to life.

[@mhbackman]

Who knew Carver was this funny? It's amazing how the right narrator can breathe life into a story and accentuate its humour (which is hidden in plain sight).

[@farcenter]

thought the same exact thing. Really interesting

[@Triumph2024.]

Bub goes from small minded assumptions against blind people to an intimate experience with Robert which is really transformative. Once he experiences the epiphany of the cathedral drawing, we see the beginnings of a new man who's dropped his prejudice and now has empathy where there was none. By the end of the story, we can even imagine 'Bub' doing nice things for the blind man. Like, for all we know, maybe the next day he took the blind man to the barber shop to get his ridiculous full-beard shaven off. Or perhaps the husband mightv'e done the blind man the favor of getting him a stick and seeing eye dog, like the blind people he knew from movies. We may never know the extent of Bub's evolution into a more connected and more caring person. But it is clearly significant. We can even imagine--after sharing the drawing experience--that Bub wouldv'e kept in touch with the blind man, independent of his wife. There's every possibility that the two men wouldv'e made it a point to hang out again, whether that meant Bub inviting the blind man back for another visit or Bub instead traveling out to see the blind man. This is something that wouldv'e been unthinkable before he met his wife's blind man and experienced such psychic and emotional growth. So ironically, we can say it's 'Bub' who's 'seen the light' and we can imagine him staying connected---as long as the husband first convinces the blind man to purchase some dark sun glasses so he's not forced for a second time to endure those creepy, independently on-the-roam eyes again, with their milky irises. God, it's too much. This was a beautiful story.

[@Tylerbremner]

carvers writing is so good many times whatever emotion you have going into it you get back 10 folds . One of the greatest American writers of all time

[@bptch1]

This is a masterclass in the art of book reading. The novel is marvellous, but this reading is just stunning, makes you feel like theres no other interpretation to do the novel justice.

[@UncannyValleyVideos]

"You say when you want some strawberry pie," I said. This is one of the best readings I've ever heard.

[@Tylerbremner]

amazing reading of one of the best short stories I’ve ever read

[@victoriavictoria1977]

Dear James Naughton, you are such a fantastic narrator. Thank you very much. Victoria

[@quieranpatricio]

This is a brilliant reading of a harrowing story. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@DarrenWulfen]

I read this when I was an English major years ago. I thought about it tonight for the first time since then. It is really powerful and beautiful, the art of seeing and the deep human connection to give a stranger the gift of sight; if only for the moment.

[@kermit639]

A wonderful reading. I've taught this short story for years. This reading moved me to tears at the end.

[@dl5272]

This reading and the audience bring out the duality of comedy/tragedy. I always looked at the main character with pity and judgement, but this reading brings out the humor of his limitations, that I never noticed.

[@10kratz]

Wow this was read very well. Felt like I was in the room with his as he read it. Crazy

[@Will-sj1kx]

To me, Carver is in the top five of best short story writers last 100 years. Yes, Cathedral is phenomenal. The humor is a refreshing addition by him. With this, “The Students Wife” and “Chefs House” are among my favorites. Still, my number one Carver story is the incomparable “A Small, Good Thing”

[@1995yuda]

Thanks so much gonna check those out right now

[@mhbackman]

The person that brings a baby to a Ray Carver short story reading... 😂

[@Triumph2024.]

At least the baby's not hearing Bukowski.

[@gabrielseanwallace3979]

That baby was me... and I just finished my first novel.

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

😆

[@romantra7]

Everything around me was drowned out by this reading. Simply captivating!

[@jefft9729]

Terrific, insightful reading of a work of pure genius.

[@-Reagan]

This is an awesome introduction to an amazing writer - how did I not know he existed? Thanks so much!

[@felipehees5630]

pov: you're either a teacher or a student who needs to listen to this for an assignment or quiz

[@slebydukes]

Nope, just a casual reader who loves this story.

[@scottburch3178]

I read his collection "where I'm calling from" back in the nineties. Those stories are the basis for the film "short cuts". Today I thought I would check out more of his work.

[@slebydukes]

@@scottburch3178 his stories are brilliant.

[@lilia_casburn]

Listening for my NEA 😂

[@WVgrl59]

No.

[@jennyjenny3531]

This reading was brilliant, and brought out the humor beautifully. I had missed much of the humor on my reading of it.

[@wlljohnbey1798]

Great reading. Captured all the humor of that wonderful story.

[@lilshredda6117]

Great reading, and the only reason why I can finish English homework for tomorrow morning :)

[@CasperLCat]

James Naughton has a great voice, and a great feel for how to read stories. I’ve heard several different readings by him and each has been first rate. Live Readings are almost a lost art form now (audiobooks have revived the art for us), but are such a rich example of what a great actor can do.

[@DMotovlogs]

very powerful story. Thanks for the upload.

[@mushy2156]

Now adding "smoke dope with a blind dude" to my Weed Bucketlist

[@Txjane52011]

James Naughton sure bring the story to life. His voice makes you actually see the image of the words. When I read it, I didn't really catch all the humor because I read it with one-dimensional characters. The husband seemed rude, cold, and detached. His reading made him more 3-dimentional human. awesome!!

[@katsavage6848]

wonderful reading, thank you for sharing 🙏

[@feralbluee]

so incredibly beautifully read. such understanding on many levels. thanks so much 🌷🌱

[@MackeyWilliams]

Wow - this is really great. A tremendously effective read by Naughton. I only caught one slip up - he stumbled a bit on "this beats tapes," but otherwise nearly flawless.

[@stephencampbell2735]

Amazing performance!

[@jasminewilliams5301]

Thank you for this 💜

[@joe_stallone]

Breathtaking. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@remaharty3355]

I am in college and never read before now I have to read his stories and pick out the symbols. I really like this story it proves how people can see physically but they are blind to what’s important

[@kelman727]

Symbol-hunting is a terrible way to read.

[@ColombianThunder]

@@kelman727 only on a first reading. I think you might just be disenfranchised by how school makes you analyze everything, but when you really like a story it's quite a lot of fun.

[@Triumph2024.]

Bub goes from small minded assumptions against blind people to an intimate experience with Robert which is really transformative. Once he experiences the epiphany of the cathedral drawing, we see the beginnings of a new man who's dropped his prejudice and now has empathy where there was none. By the end of the story, we can even imagine 'Bub' doing nice things for the blind man. Like, for all we know, maybe the next day he took the blind man to the barber shop to get his ridiculous full-beard shaven off. Or perhaps the husband mightv'e done the blind man the favor of getting him a stick and seeing eye dog, like the blind people he knew from movies. We may never know the extent of Bub's evolution into a more connected and more caring person. But it is clearly significant. We can even imagine--after sharing the drawing experience--that Bub wouldv'e kept in touch with the blind man, independent of his wife. There's every possibility that the two men wouldv'e made it a point to hang out again, whether that meant Bub inviting the blind man back for another visit or Bub instead traveling out to see the blind man. This is something that wouldv'e been unthinkable before he met his wife's blind man and experienced such psychic and emotional growth. So ironically, we can say it's 'Bub' who's 'seen the light' and we can imagine him staying connected---as long as the husband first convinces the blind man to purchase some dark sun glasses so he's not forced for a second time to endure those creepy, independently on-the-roam eyes again, with their milky irises. God, it's too much. This was a beautiful story.

[@princelover1]

Great reading! I laughed, I cried, and laughed! The art of story-telling is almost extinct.

[@kelman727]

princelover1 The proud boast of those who have never tried.

[@kseemer]

Best narration

[@naum0503]

Thank u for uploading!!!!!

[@eduardomancillaalarcon8811]

Just brilliant.....

[@tomharrington1741]

mean humor leading to wisdom

[@catherineava7937]

Amazing!

[@Triumph2024.]

Why?

[@Wittymore]

awesome I love it

[@joycarmichael1476]

Great reading thanks

[@ClariceAust]

That was, 'really something'..

[@abject_fail]

The best

[@aaroncarterfan911]

But were they frescoes????

[@sugarantsandwiches6581]

Painting on the wall

[@iamastrangeloop9204]

great narrator

[@thekitywhocan]

forced to read, enjoyed by choice

[@hfogerty1461]

Yesterday, I left roses on Carver's grave in Port Angeles, Washington, to thank him for accidentally getting me a video on KZbin with 125K views, when I just wanted to help students assigned to read a long work, and audio (no Libby existed when I uploaded this) helps a lot! I am SO glad this helped you. I am an English teacher by trade, and I really, really love to make sure literature is accessible. (This video is the only time I've ripped a CD. I borrowed it from the public library though, and uploaded it to the public, so I think Carver would forgive me.)

[@paulawakefield7869]

❤

[@liberalpropagandaproductio1656]

Who brought the baby to the Carver reading?

[@tiddytoto1053]

Someone that wants to enjoy a rare opportunity, that noisy baby is the sound of the earth-spinning, there is nothing more natural.

[@Jeremy_Fisher]

@@tiddytoto1053 Yeah, natural sounds, huh? It's a wonder they don't do readings on white water rapids, or maybe they could just do it in a kindergarten and just have the children run around the speaker and scream. The fact is, most people find that sort of thing disturbing and immersion breaking when it's done while you're trying to pay attention to a story. You are lessening the experience for everyone, if not downright ruining it no matter how much you try to romanticize it. Leave your babies at home with a babysitter.

[@klbgay9161]

her name was Alice

[@-Reagan]

This is mind-blowing, it's presentation is so matter-of-fact and it reaches in, deep and visceral. It makes me uncomfortable and soothes me at the same time. Why don't people write this way, anymore? Everything seems so contrived and the art of storytelling is lost.

[@kelman727]

They can and they do. How many stories do you read in any given year?

[@hfogerty1461]

@@kelman727 Maybe recommend him some other story tellers you like?

[@mskyny2214]

very nice

[@ixreivax9348]

12:27

[@violetfemme411]

One of my fave Carver stories... brilliantly narrated! But the inconsiderate moron who took an INFANT to a reading, and doesn't take it out when it's crying REALLY pissed me off 😤

[@williamwhite999]

Amway De Vos

[@anthonyhicks8234]

The reading is excellent, but it seems like blind people are being made fun of. I don’t think that’s what Carver intended.

[@RkristinaTay]

I hate these kind of audiences that laugh at every thing. it's the same people who go to bad comedy houses and just laugh all the way through. It's such a sign of peer pressure, sheep mentality , nervous youth and lack of personal strength. It's hard to listen to this with all the stupid chuckling in the background by nervous dorks.

[@GOTCONNOR]

Can you relax

[@Triumph2024.]

@@GOTCONNOR why?

[@Triumph2024.]

Haha.

[@hollyhock9638]

Yo chill, just tune it out. If I have severe ADHD and I can do that, I'm sure you can too.

[@heatherherman2922]

wack

[@Triumph2024.]

Why?

[@charlespeterson3798]

A hard read, a hard narration to listen to. Not a story for laughing. The depths of alienation profound. Carver, a genius deserves nothing, but this reading is vapid and tone deaf, he deserves at least a degree of effort.

[@hfogerty1461]

Regardless of whether you disliked the reading, it does provide Carver on audio (which makes the story accessible to students and listeners for whom print is a challenge), which was the purpose of this video.

[@-Reagan]

I think you're missing a subtlety that this is supposed to come and appear as one thing, which it is, just as in life, and the depth is what you need to hear, the transformation and the truth of this man and his circumstance, his wife, and the blind man as alienated are revealed to be. It *should* be presented as it is, read this way; humor and the deeper aspects of what we all feel and the alienation of the individuals in the story are the same as in life - humor does not negate reality, it is a vice to deal and to cover it. It also can be revealing.

[@charlespeterson3798]

As Gordon would say; Dear Reagan, Whaaat?

[@iriqouisplisken5640]

I disagree. It's subtle nature make for a good read. It holds a great tone upon thinking deep. A jealous man and how he acts towards his wife's friend

[@tiddytoto1053]

what recording was you listening to? I thought he did Carver justice. Cathedral is my favourite short story, its deeply profound and at the same time funny, Carver is one hell of a writer.