Reviews

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

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“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

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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.

ariaaaaaa's review

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4.0

Chris recommended this after I said I hate Catcher in the Rye. His persistence wore me down. As a sibling the thought of so unabashedly reading another’s diary horrifies me. Otherwise, I hate to admit, I liked it.

milenars's review

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slow-paced

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

3.5

kinzeebee's review against another edition

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5.0

ouch

hannahwdel's review

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emotional funny reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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