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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
absolutely brilliant. full of humor and tragedy at the same time. every single story was so original and enriching, would definitely reread all nine stories at some point
I had no idea what to expect prior to reading this book. I did learn however that the first story about banafish definitely did not end how I thought it would. Overall, each story felt unique yet similar in theme. I enjoyed each for different reasons. The author is extremely skilled as they could write from the perspective of grown men, young boy, older women, and several other types of characters with ease.
Mixed reviews on all the stories but still love the narrative voice and style overall.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF… the first story was incredible but then several stories after that wasn’t. Dull and nothing exciting, I had to put it down.
Meh. Never having read anything by Salinger, but having read a bunch of stuff from people saying he was whiny and overly melodramatic, I did not to expect to enjoy his short fiction at all. But it was pretty good--enthralling certainly. Once I got into a story it was hard to tear myself away. But when I finished I was left with the feeling that I was meant to have experienced something utterly profound, when really I had just experienced the normal lives of miserable people. I was mostly like, "Everybody feels this way, we just all don't whine about it." I'm not sorry I read it, but I probably won't follow Salinger any further--no matter how many raptures my Contemporary Novelists professor is in about him.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I seriously need to take a class on JD Salinger and this book. I love the way he writes and i can easily follow the story but I was having diffculty with analysing and figuring out some of the symbolism or whatever. After each story i was using spark notes and finding forums discussing the book to get a better understanding of what i was reading and the takeaways. I understood the general themes of impact of war on a person and loss of innocence but i definitely need more help with i guess specifics? Its a book that you need to read more than once. Maybe a lot of it was over my head but still a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War
Minor: Child death, Grief
I had a physical reaction to the last lines of the last story in this collection: “Teddy”. He (Salinger) is simply one of the best to ever do it, honestly.
the laughing man was by far the standout story for me. raised the rating for the entire book, although I loved all the glass family cameos as usual. really typical salinger style plot-free character studies with abrupt or unsatisfying endings. which I expect and love from him by now tbh