Raymond Carver’s writing style can be described as “less is more”. That means that only the important facts are in his stories and poems. He sees no need to add extra fluff to his works. Raymond Carver is famous for his thrifty details and careful stories about working-class life, that often is resemble with his own. In Raymond Carver’s novels, things are not as they appear to be or rather sometimes things are more than they appear to be. Raymond Carver was an alcoholic, but he managed anyway to publish several of stories and poems including “Neighbors" in 1971.
In the short story “Neighbors” there are two families; The Millers and the Stones. They live in the same building and they are very good friends. The Millers are now and then lonely, they have an unexciting life and they are waiting for something to happen. Even though they have average jobs as a bookkeeper and a secretary, they are actually a happy couple. In the beginning the purpose is to take care of the house; watering the plants and feed the cat. The more often Bill Miller stays in the Stones apartment the more he is drawn to the idea of being the Stones. He perceives the Stones as successful, trendy, happy and have seen the world. The Stones is Bill Millers perception of the ideal lifestyle and a more fulfilling life.
The Stones on the other hand are on the outside a happy couple and they live a fuller and brighter life. Jim Stones works as a salesman and probably earns a lot of money. They are always going out for dinner, entertaining or travelling. Everything is not always as they appear. The Stones seems as the perfect couple, but Bill Miller finds alcohol, medicine and pictures in the Stones apartment. That could indicate that the Stone’s marriage is not that good as the neighbors think.
Raymond Carver uses an objective point of view in his story "Neighbors” also known as a "Fly on the wall" point of view. The