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alexisrt's review against another edition
Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters: Seymour, an Introduction by J.D. Salinger (1994)
agnesealstrian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
jwebster's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
kellieveltri's review
”Keep me up till five only because all your stars are out, and for no other reason.”
J.D. Salinger, and particularly Seymour Glass, were incredibly meaningful to me in my late teenage years. I’d forgotten most of the details, including that these were narrated by Buddy and that he’s a surprisingly direct stand-in for Salinger himself, as well as how funny he can be. Certain quotes, however, shot through time and I recognized them instantly of objects of reverence from that point in my life.
It’s a very different reading experience six+ years later—I understood more of the references and have many more years of both literary study and life experiences under my belt—but just as enjoyable in its own way as different parts resonated with me this time. Maybe I’ll check back in in another six.
J.D. Salinger, and particularly Seymour Glass, were incredibly meaningful to me in my late teenage years. I’d forgotten most of the details, including that these were narrated by Buddy and that he’s a surprisingly direct stand-in for Salinger himself, as well as how funny he can be. Certain quotes, however, shot through time and I recognized them instantly of objects of reverence from that point in my life.
It’s a very different reading experience six+ years later—I understood more of the references and have many more years of both literary study and life experiences under my belt—but just as enjoyable in its own way as different parts resonated with me this time. Maybe I’ll check back in in another six.
lilnormbean's review
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
sophee_568's review
4.0
Raise High the Roof Beams, Carpenters - 5 stars
Seymour: the introduction - 3 stars
Seymour: the introduction - 3 stars
kleptosaurus's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
theastrallibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I forgot how much I adore J.D. Salinger and the ways in which he crafts his characters in a way that make them so alive. Raise High the Roof Beams, Carpenters was everything I wanted going into this (funny, ridiculous, and just a dash of that unique Salinger style). Seymour, An Introduction on the other hand was.... it was rambling with brief moments of profound and striking moments of clarity which I think is all I can hope for on a piece so heavily focused on the Glass family's most elusive member.
faithgeiger's review against another edition
“Oh, god, if I’m anything by a clinical name, I’m a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.”
carsonbarson's review
5.0
Everything I love about Salinger and his personality, his philosophies, and his ability to relate to the reader come together in this extremely meta and fourth-wall breaking novel that feels almost autobiographical. In these two short novellas, Buddy Glass (or Salinger depending on the interpretation), examine the memory and impact of one older brother Seymour Glass. Thus, Salinger takes the reader on an examination of the purpose and impact of memory, uniqueness, dedication, as well as expression and writing as a whole. I'm not saying it's as good as Catcher in the Rye, but it feels very almost akin to an outside interpretation of that novels values and characters. It was incredible, and often times left me reading the same page multiple times in awe of the magnitude of the ideas that were presented in such simple yet heart-wrenching ways. Definitely up there with the books I've read this year. If you love Catcher in the Rye and love Salinger, this worth is definitely worth the read. Probably the closest I've felt to Salinger, even after reading biographies and more.