Reviews

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

booksnpunks's review against another edition

5.0

Don't think I could have given this book less than five stars on account of both being completely obsessed with the Glass family and the fact that the writing and characterisation in these stories was absolutely beautiful. Buddy and Seymour are two of my favourites of Salinger's characters and this collection focused on them a lot, although this made it a little more depressing due to Seymour's death and Buddy's obvious mourning. But there's something about the characters here and the sheer force of emotion that is injected in to every one that makes these stories so magical and addictive to me, and half way through Raise High I found myself reaching to read passages from Nine Stories again.
The first story was way easier to read than the second, and I got a lot more from it. Stylistically, An Introduction is more interesting because of the use of stream of consciousness and character study, but the witty dialogue and plot from Raise High made me love that one a lot more. I'd say maybe don't read An Introduction first, but save it until you are acquainted with all of the kids.
I've technically finished reading all of Salinger's published works now, but then again I haven't, and I never will. Because there is always something more of him to read, always something new to gain, and the Glass family will never leave me.

als_adventures's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

Raise High was probably my favourite of the two. Seymour went on a wee bit, but I do enjoy Salinger’s writing style. It feels very off hand and causal and comfortably academic without being pretentious. 

abitlikemercury's review against another edition

4.0

Salinger is the only writer who has ever made me want to read poems written by a non-existent character.
Also, the way Buddy writes about his older brother Seymour? True love.

mellowbry's review

funny informative relaxing slow-paced

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

3.5

Better than “Franny and Zooey”

nerdatronic's review against another edition

First half, aces; second half, tediously pedantic.

chelse34's review against another edition

2.0

This is another typical story of Salinger's; enjoyable, but have no idea what the point is.

motke's review

4.0

Really loved the first story, but Seymour: An Introduction was pretty thick, so I never finished it.

sarahjoyce's review

3.0

There isn't anything special about either of these stories. If you're a fan of Salinger's other work you'll probably be disappointed. There is a lot of unnecessary rambling, mostly in Seymour. Both stories do give insight into the Glass family, but other than that they are dry and dull.

zoechristyna's review

4.0

When things are hard, Salinger stories are a great pick-me-up. Seymour is so relatable and the scenarios in this story made me laugh out loud. Observing your siblings is something hard to explain and fully showcase but Salinger does it magnificently. An underrated Salinger for sure.

zimnotutaj's review against another edition

3.0

3,5 I think. I really liked the first story. The second one was a bit irritating.