The story "A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver tells of two American parents dealing with the hospitalization and death of their son following an accident road - road accident. The local baker's callous actions increase their anger and confusion, but at the end of the story leaves them with a sense of optimism and strength. With such content, Carver runs the risk of sounding sentimental; however, this is not the case, and the parents' anguish and shock at the situation are expressed with dignity and discretion. It is a story of broad appeal: the simple prose makes it accessible to a wide audience, while the complex themes and issues make it attractive to the educated reader. Written in Carver's typically minimalist style, the story poignantly evokes not only the trauma of a child's death, but also the breakdown of communication and empathy in society. The simple and direct narrative style suits the content, conveying the lack of communication that is central to the narrative: between the parents, between the hospital staff and with the baker. Critically, it is generally considered one of Carver's strongest short stories. It is a story of isolation and pain, but also of hope, and, with its fluid, spare style, it clearly demonstrates why Carver is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the late 20th century. The story of A Small, Good Thing is simple and universal. Thirty-three-year-old Ann Weiss orders a cake for her son Scotty's eighth birthday and is a little put off by the baker's cold attitude: "(He) wasn't cheerful. There were no pleasantries between them, just the barest exchange of words, the necessary information." However, she is so...... middle of paper......- emotional but not melodramatic; poorly written but still complex; a human story that explores the arbitrary nature of destiny. The writing style is fresh and invigorating; the well-drawn characters, the enthralling narrative, the stimulating themes. While some readers are likely to be frustrated by the limited exposition and suddenness of the actions, most readers can be expected to find it worthy of their attention. A Small, Good Thing has become a minimalist classic, and a careful reading should clearly demonstrate why Carver is considered one of the strongest short story writers of recent times. Bibliography Clarke, Graham. “Investing in the Gaze: Raymond Carver and the Syntax of Silence.” The new American writing: essays on American literature since 1970. Ed. Graham Clarke. New York: St. Martin's, 1990. 99-122.http://cai.ucdavis.edu/enl3/minimalism.htm