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syd_a's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect Day for Bananafish- 5/5
Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut- 4/5
Just before the war with the eskimos- 4/5
The Laughing Man- 3/5
Down at the Dinghy- 2/5
For Esmé— with love and squalor- 4/5
Pretty Mouth and Green my Eyes - 3/5
De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period- 3/5
Teddy- 4/5
dave3798's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
fishingbooksproceed's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
bettywhite's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
fenchelt33's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
casspro's review
3.0
"A Perfect Day for Bananafish" has so many good things packed into just a few short 15 pages. You become attached to the young man, only be shocked by his behavior later. It's a must read for any literary society or book club.
"Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut" is heartbreaking. Two women clinging to each other for friendship and comfort, one trapped with the knowledge that the man she married is her second choice. Seeing Eloise put up such a strong façade, only to then watch it come crumbling down is very painful and poignant.
"Just Before the War with Eskimos" is a questionable story. It starts with a quarrel between tennis parents and ends with a girl holding on to a half of a sandwich she can't seem to dispose. The characters are interesting, but it leaves you asking "Why? What's the point?"
"The Laughing Man" describes a group of boys, not unlike a boy scout troop, and what is probably their first experience with the dramatics of adult relationships. Their troop leader breaks it off with his girl and subsequently kills off the beloved character in the boys' favorite serial story.
"Down at the Dinghy" deals with a young boy's love of boats and his father and a mother playing admiral. Another one of Salinger's stories where you ask yourself, "But why?" at the end of the text. Not a pointless read, but a curious one.
"For Esme--With Love and Squalor" is the story of a World War II soldier and a young girl who writes to him as he lives through a breakdown. The child is a little too precocious for my liking, but the setting and language of the letters are realistic.
"Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes" is a short tale of a paranoid man and his loose wife. A bit too jittery and angst-ridden for me to really enjoy the writing fully.
"De Daumier Smith's Blue Period" is the journey of a young artist as he tries to make in as a painting instructor. His humorous trials are both entertaining and pitiful in his earnest honesty. A longer tale, but very enjoyable to read on one's balcony on a breezy, sunny day.
"Teddy" is the most philosophical of Salinger's short stories. The title character is a ten-year old, modern-day guru who acts as the path to enlightenment for a fellow cruise member. Eerily sophisticated and eye-opening, Teddy's view on life and death goes beyond his years.
Not a whole lot of uplifting material, but it's all very beautifully written in a melancholy style. The stories all have a misdirection at the very beginning, a seemingly unimportant introduction that doesn't really have much to do with the main story at hand. Characters are introduced briefly and then fade to the background as the main plot comes into focus. Don't let this misdirection fool the reader into thinking the stories are boring or pointless. Stick around and you'll see where the tale leads. A good introduction to Salinger for those who think "Catcher in the Rye" is overrated.
"Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut" is heartbreaking. Two women clinging to each other for friendship and comfort, one trapped with the knowledge that the man she married is her second choice. Seeing Eloise put up such a strong façade, only to then watch it come crumbling down is very painful and poignant.
"Just Before the War with Eskimos" is a questionable story. It starts with a quarrel between tennis parents and ends with a girl holding on to a half of a sandwich she can't seem to dispose. The characters are interesting, but it leaves you asking "Why? What's the point?"
"The Laughing Man" describes a group of boys, not unlike a boy scout troop, and what is probably their first experience with the dramatics of adult relationships. Their troop leader breaks it off with his girl and subsequently kills off the beloved character in the boys' favorite serial story.
"Down at the Dinghy" deals with a young boy's love of boats and his father and a mother playing admiral. Another one of Salinger's stories where you ask yourself, "But why?" at the end of the text. Not a pointless read, but a curious one.
"For Esme--With Love and Squalor" is the story of a World War II soldier and a young girl who writes to him as he lives through a breakdown. The child is a little too precocious for my liking, but the setting and language of the letters are realistic.
"Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes" is a short tale of a paranoid man and his loose wife. A bit too jittery and angst-ridden for me to really enjoy the writing fully.
"De Daumier Smith's Blue Period" is the journey of a young artist as he tries to make in as a painting instructor. His humorous trials are both entertaining and pitiful in his earnest honesty. A longer tale, but very enjoyable to read on one's balcony on a breezy, sunny day.
"Teddy" is the most philosophical of Salinger's short stories. The title character is a ten-year old, modern-day guru who acts as the path to enlightenment for a fellow cruise member. Eerily sophisticated and eye-opening, Teddy's view on life and death goes beyond his years.
Not a whole lot of uplifting material, but it's all very beautifully written in a melancholy style. The stories all have a misdirection at the very beginning, a seemingly unimportant introduction that doesn't really have much to do with the main story at hand. Characters are introduced briefly and then fade to the background as the main plot comes into focus. Don't let this misdirection fool the reader into thinking the stories are boring or pointless. Stick around and you'll see where the tale leads. A good introduction to Salinger for those who think "Catcher in the Rye" is overrated.