Reviews

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction by J.D. Salinger

4llen's review against another edition

informative relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

samanthahamatha's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

I could read about the Glass family’s lives all day long. Raise High the Room Beam, Carpenters is a story told in typical Salinger fashion- fast-paced, full of antics and emotion- about a comically absurd scenario that occurred on Seymour Glass’s wedding day, told by Buddy Glass. What a hoot, even if it is (unfortunately) at the sake of Buddy. 
Seymour: an Introduction is also told by Buddy Glass. What a wonderful recount of his lamented brother and insight on his peculiarities, which when it comes to our own relationships (familial, friendly, or romantic) we tend to presently overlook until there’s nothing to do but look back and reminisce. 

chiara_stanic's review

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

moonsh's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

is_book_loring's review against another edition

4.0

"I worry about big jumps that I can measure off with my eyes. I think I dream of your daring to jump right out of my sight."

I have the urge to keep this book in my backpack just so whenever I feel like reading someone beautiful, I could take it out and feed my heart little morsels of Seymour's diary or his letter to Buddy.

fishingbooksproceed's review against another edition

funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

tintinintibet's review

4.0

Halfway through I thought we were trending down towards a 3. The start of the extremely self-aware second story was horrifying, but I slowly got over my own solipsistic cringe and by the end was sure I’d give it 5 stars. And not just because of the thing about carrying three library cards.

But I’ve taken a star because I’m cruel and petty. I just read the book and now I want to reread it? How dare you.

skippy_skippington's review

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

harrietjwood's review

funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

chloekg's review

5.0

Imagining all the emotions of literature spread out in a linear representation would require a huge line. What Salinger does in these short stories is to examine a very narrow range on that scale. Even in such smallness, he finds vastness. The subtle extraordinary of every day life is distilled in these pages. I fear I can do no justice in describing it.