Reviews with content warning for Grief - Franny and Zooey

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

8 reviews

haileyeh's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

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markwillnevercry's review

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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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_bailey_reads_'s review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

This was a very slow paced book for me but it was worth it. It took me a while to get into the language and the way it’s written. After I did though, I felt intrigued and wanted to know where exactly the plot was going.

Zooey is very sarcastic and at times very mean and I hated him but then at other times super funny and charming and I loved him. He’s a great complex and deeply in-depth character!

I found it extremely heartwarming and the ending honestly made me emotional and feel sentimental.

The relationship between Franny and Zooey is so comforting and precious. It felt like a hug.

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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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maevebeck'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

3.25

i wish this was written as a full blown novel and not just two different new yorker publishings.

apparently this is supposed to be a zen tale where franny is ignorant in the beginning and in the end gains enlightenment, but themes just did not come through. i was SEARCHING for meaning and i think themes could have been more powerful and pronounced if it were a full blown/one-piece story.

i totally get how smart people can have a lot to say about this but personally i found it excruciating to get through ESPECIALLY zooey with his dialogue it’s like trying to end a bad conversation (i get that’s kinda the point but ugh). i could be convinced to understand and digest the religious themes but i would need a lot more than just the experience of reading the book 🫤 i really wanted to like it and thoroughly enjoyed franny.

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