Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Franny and Zooey

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

16 reviews

nixueq's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.75

The writing is poignant and beautiful while staying clear. Salinger clearly knows what he's doing, and the Glass family feel like beloved characters. However, on a personal level I failed to connect with the story. There were some interesting ideas, and what might have been a touching picture of deppression and dealing with consequences of a suicide in the family, but for me it was mostly an intellectual exercise, which I am not sure I typically search for in a short prose. I typically go for emotional engagement there.
Or, that just might be a book you need to read at a particular age to truly enjoy. I am not sure.

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? Yes

5.0

A new favorite of mine. The writing, storytelling, and characters are stunning. This is one I know I’ll return to again.

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markwillnevercry's review against another edition

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3.75

Everyone I heard talking about the book said that the first story was wonderful and the second one was either okay or just eh. Personally, I thought that both of the stories were pretty good. When you just look at this book, you might think that it is about Franny going through a break down (without ever getting out of it) while being surrounded by different people, but these stories seem to be more about Lane and Zooey than about Franny. They are both not great men, *looks intensely on Lane*, but they tried in their own ways to get rid of Franny's "depression", even tho both did it more for themselves than for Franny. It is interesting stories to read, but I personally think that Zooey was better, because there was just so much more love put into Zooey than any other character and it felt to nice to observe him.

Notes:

Franny:

I find it funny that he is waiting for his girlfriend, who hates all poets but Sappho. Bro, you gonna lose her to a butch woman.

Lovelovelove, ps. my father ain’t dying, it’s all good. The priorities are right.

Imagine nerd emoji here. Personally I think that the author should not have put in the whole letter, seeing that the chapter did not have time to read it fully.

Thinking, that everyone else must “surely find you at the right place with the right girl” is very gay.

Oh, Lane is one of those people, who just shuts you up when you say something they don’t like.

Empty ladie’s room? I didn’t know this was a fantasy.

Zooey:

The description of Zooey seems to be written as if by his lover.

I have a feeling that the children of the family Glass could have each gotten a story about them.

Oh my god, Mrs Glass.

Mrs. Glass be completely unable to judge herself while talking about her husband.

I am kinda uncomfortable about how much we concentrate on the fact, that Franny still looks good when she is in a middle of a breakdown.

I get why Zooey is being like this about the way Franny sees Jesus and how she is very priviledged to choose a place where she wants to have a breakdown, but he is kinda being abusive.

Their family is so broken.

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maidinnah's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Small but mighty, JD Salinger’s signature style comes through in this dual novella piece, following the perspectives of the disillusioned yet persevering Glass siblings. I don’t particularly love his prose, and can even find it insufferable at times (especially the middle portion) but I can appreciate the themes and messaging. Salinger, like his other works, explores the twin nature of faith and despair, innocence and ego, and how we as humans come to reconcile them. In the case of the Glass siblings, they rely on the power of sibling love, transcending even death. And isn’t that what faith truly is? To dare to hope beyond what we can see and live for.

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marissab's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Monologue-filled conversations about nothing much

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melchior's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

The most unappealing way to describe this book would be: half-deranged intellectuals have mental breakdowns across three (and a half) conversations. It's an accurate description, however, but that's not the point. Be warned, first of all: this book is a slow burner. Like I said, there are really only three scenes in the entire book/two stories. There is a lot of description and mental deliberation that is difficult to get your head around at times. I found myself struggling - especially with the first half - re-reading passages and not really looking forward to continue reading. But I had to. The book had me by the balls. If you consider yourself an intellectual, or academic, or something, and find yourself getting frustrated with and resistant to social norms, the university system, etcetera, this book will be a mirror to you. One of those actor's mirrors where the lights are on way too bright so you can see very little imperfection and blemish on yourself. It's ugly. And that's what makes this book so great. It is a poignant reflection for all of us who over-reflect. If you dare.

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graham_greene_lantern's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.75

This is a pinnacle of “dead white guy writing,” but I would be lying if I didn’t admit it was also one of the most important books to me as an adolescent. It shouldn't be the sum-total of a reading life, but for the right reader it could be a launching point for a love of a certain kind of book where the character’s interior world and struggle to understand themselves is the center.

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