Franny and Zooey in Simply Salinger

Aug 03, 2011 Blixen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: north-american-literature, favorite

Appena riletto in un giorno di ottobre in cui sono alla ricerca della "vecchia signora grassa di Seymour". Il sole nella mia stanza sonda i mobili e si posa sul mio plaid come nella stanza di Franny. ...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Jenna Lynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, dissertationy-nonsense

The first time I read this book, I was a college senior, and it was an assignment for my Survey of American Lit (II) class. My professor made a point of saying he thought I, in particular, would really love this book. And...let's just say that back then I was...less than impressed. I found Franny especially to be no less annoying and whiney than Holden. Which is not to say I hated it, even then. I did find it, on the whole, to be a vast improvement over Catcher in the Rye, which I found grossly The first time I read this book, I was a college senior, and it was an assignment for my Survey of American Lit (II) class. My professor made a point of saying he thought I, in particular, would really love this book. And...let's just say that back then I was...less than impressed. I found Franny especially to be no less annoying and whiney than Holden. Which is not to say I hated it, even then. I did find it, on the whole, to be a vast improvement over Catcher in the Rye, which I found grossly overrated and consequently spent my high school years hating and resenting. This was, even the first time, far superior to that. If you'd asked me to review it back then, my response probably would've been something to the effect of, "meh, whatever." I didn't foresee myself ever picking this book up again. But a little over a year ago, while having lunch with a colleague, the book came up in conversation, and my friend raved about it, claiming essentially that it was his favourite book in the history of ever. So much so, and so palpable was his enthusiasm, that I dug out my copy and cracked it open again.

I am beyond happy I did. This book has seriously changed my life. Not just because it has helped me to see things in the world in a new light, but also because it inspired the hypothesis for my dissertation (as well as helping to answer and clarify parts of the same too!) Salinger truly was a genius. Semantically, philosophically, and ascetically.

I try very hard to keep my reviews spoiler free, but with such a short text, providing any real detail about the story at all without giving away too much seems, to me, rather impossible. So suffice it to say this book is much more than a mere short story about a whiney girl and her brother. Read it. Salinger is known for his transparency for a reason, so much of what he has to say he literally just says right there, in plain text. And if you're a lit nerd like me, (or even if you're not, but you're up for a challenge) pay attention to HOW he says it. Every comma, each period, all the words, and even the blank spaces - they're all placed precisely - I believe in order to brilliantly to underscore the message he provides so simply for his readers, in plain black and white. Seriously. Read this book. And then read it again. It's not one I think you're likely to regret anytime soon (or ever)! ...more

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Jul 06, 2010 Cherylann rated it it was amazing

Salinger has yet to fail me. He manages to create characters that are flawed, but simultaneously irresistible. His characterizations come so easily. The scene with Zooey in the bathtub while his mother carries on with a conversation he would clearly like to discontinue, mimics real life to a tee. It's hilarious and utterly tragic at the same time. The description of the mother's "robe" is especially humorous and provides a glimpse into her character.

I read Franny and Zooey alongside "The Way of ...more

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