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A review by dileksayed89
Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger
5.0
"Nine Stories" is a book to revisit at various junctures in one's life, as each reading can reveal something new. I intend to revisit it at different stages of my lifetime. One's sentiments toward these stories are likely to shift depending on the circumstances they are experiencing.
Genius.
"The Catcher in the Rye" has always held a special place in my heart for both positive and negative reasons. However, I now comprehend why I hold such an affection for Salinger's narratives and writing. It is because of their inherent paradoxes. The power of his “Nine Stories” becomes evident when examined and read collectively, as they are a collection of paradoxes. At first glance, they may appear strange and humorous, but upon closer inspection, they reveal insecurities and heartbreak. This is what makes these stories so genuine.
Much like "The Catcher in the Rye," Salinger's “Nine Stories” celebrate the uniqueness, eccentricity, and preciousness of each individual. As always, Salinger takes the daring path of risking being misunderstood, which is a courageous choice in the realm of writing. This is why delving deeper into his work is essential.
As of today, my top three preferences are as follows:
1. Teddy
2. For Esmé—with Love and Squalor
3. A Perfect Day for Bananafish.
"De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period" holds a special place as well. The narrator reflects on their dreadful younger self, narcissistic and miserable, while teaching a correspondence art class in Montreal, specifically at "Les Amis des Vieux Maîtres" in Verdun, a "rundown section" of the city. It is a tale of profound loneliness that managed to evoke laughter, a feat that appeared challenging. Cette histoire ferait écho à n'importe quel montréalais(e) comme moi.
“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” ― J.D. Salinger, 'De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period' of Nine Stories.
I must also mention "The Laughing Man," which was published in the 1949 New Yorker. The title actually refers to the story within the story, where the nameless narrator, ostensibly Salinger, recounts an adventure at the age of nine when he and other members of his Comanche club were entertained by a Staten Island law student nicknamed Chief, who was paid to keep them engaged. The structure of the story may be somewhat melodramatic and formulaic, even for that era, but there are moments when one can credit Salinger for attempting to break free from the confines of traditional storytelling.
*
“Our parents don't seem able to love us just the way we are. They don't seem able to love us unless they can keep changing us a little bit. They love their reasons for loving us almost as much as they love us, and most of the time more.” ― J.D. Salinger, 'Teddy' of Nine Stories.
Genius.
"The Catcher in the Rye" has always held a special place in my heart for both positive and negative reasons. However, I now comprehend why I hold such an affection for Salinger's narratives and writing. It is because of their inherent paradoxes. The power of his “Nine Stories” becomes evident when examined and read collectively, as they are a collection of paradoxes. At first glance, they may appear strange and humorous, but upon closer inspection, they reveal insecurities and heartbreak. This is what makes these stories so genuine.
Much like "The Catcher in the Rye," Salinger's “Nine Stories” celebrate the uniqueness, eccentricity, and preciousness of each individual. As always, Salinger takes the daring path of risking being misunderstood, which is a courageous choice in the realm of writing. This is why delving deeper into his work is essential.
As of today, my top three preferences are as follows:
1. Teddy
2. For Esmé—with Love and Squalor
3. A Perfect Day for Bananafish.
"De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period" holds a special place as well. The narrator reflects on their dreadful younger self, narcissistic and miserable, while teaching a correspondence art class in Montreal, specifically at "Les Amis des Vieux Maîtres" in Verdun, a "rundown section" of the city. It is a tale of profound loneliness that managed to evoke laughter, a feat that appeared challenging. Cette histoire ferait écho à n'importe quel montréalais(e) comme moi.
“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” ― J.D. Salinger, 'De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period' of Nine Stories.
I must also mention "The Laughing Man," which was published in the 1949 New Yorker. The title actually refers to the story within the story, where the nameless narrator, ostensibly Salinger, recounts an adventure at the age of nine when he and other members of his Comanche club were entertained by a Staten Island law student nicknamed Chief, who was paid to keep them engaged. The structure of the story may be somewhat melodramatic and formulaic, even for that era, but there are moments when one can credit Salinger for attempting to break free from the confines of traditional storytelling.
*
“Our parents don't seem able to love us just the way we are. They don't seem able to love us unless they can keep changing us a little bit. They love their reasons for loving us almost as much as they love us, and most of the time more.” ― J.D. Salinger, 'Teddy' of Nine Stories.