A review by everlastingdusk
My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff

Unique (and especially fascinating to me) for its backdrop - the titular year is spent in the literary world of New York, in the genteel Upper West Side with its literary agencies, publishing houses, and magazines - where the magic happens. But it's also universal for its depiction of life among inexperienced, educated 20-somethings - fresh graduates/ newbie grad students working at the bottom rung of a company or institution, with no money but lots of time, eating cheap food with the occasional indulgence that puts the monthly budget in the red, making bad romantic decisions, and sleeping in uncomfortable to squalid living arrangements. My Salinger Year captures the feeling of being on the edge of something, that season of waiting when we're just shedding off youth and coming into adulthood. In one memorable, awkward chapter, Rakoff's father bequeaths to her her credit card bills and student loans, "You're all grown up, so now you pay them." My own 20's were a confused blur of dealing with my wanderlust, being broke all the time, and the misplaced belief that I *had* to Change the World. I still believe in contributing to change ofc, but have become less dramatic about my role to do so. Haha.

Anyway, My Salinger Year is for anyone who has ever had big dreams trying to make it in the big city (kanta ba 'to?) But also for lovers of Salinger or those looking for a reason to finally read him.

*The only Salinger I've read is Nine Stories (loved it) so I may correct that this year.