J. D. Salinger: Nine Stories

[Igu Soni]

I've heard more praise for this book over here than I have of The Catcher in the Rye. I read it, and ended up with a Bill Murray face.
“We know the sound of two hands clapping. / But what is the sound of one hand clapping?” – A Zen Koan Life as it ain't

Would appreciate thoughts on why it is so well-loved.

[Il Penseroso]

He creates ambiguity and suspense quite well. Often, it's not the characters or what they do that's a success, but more what they might do. It's nice knowing you don't have to like a character to be interested in her or him. Franny and Zoey included.

[Bottle Rocket]

"Perfect Day for Bananafish" is IMO great, though disturbing at all sorts of levels. "Teddy" is the same way if you ask me. But in the end I got a sort of morbid, negative vibe from Salinger that I just don't really want to revisit, even though I've read all (or almost all) his published work.

Opinion/taste, I suppose ... but that's mine


BRocket

[Igu Soni]

'Teddy' just pissed me off. It was such a brazen attempt to introduce his beloved Buddhist philosophy into the book which lived so much better without it.

I respect Buddhist philosophy, just not this particular medium of dissipation.

[krsameer]

'Pretty mouth, green my eyes' and 'Down in the dinghy' are two really beautiful stories. 'Beautiful' is the word for them. As Franny says in 'Franny and Zooey', there are many poets who write poems which leave something in your mind, but the 'real' poet is one who leaves something beautiful by the end of the page. Salinger created that effect int these two stories.
Even 'laughing man' is a very good story.

[Tagir]

I always wondered how the critics and Americans perceive creativity Salinger: stupid and snobbish. He is not a genius of mankind (as Cervantes, Dostoevsky, etc.). But he is independent (drinking a small glass of wine, but from his own!). Salinger first of all humanity - is the most important thing for a writer. He is too immature - but he исренний the author, though not deep (very superficial). But I like it. . It is important first of all honesty, and the rest of the only addition (talent, depth, etc.). Stupid assess human achievements. The main thing - essence and purity of soul. He is a good man: therefore he was a good author))

[Hamlet]

I always wondered how the critics and Americans perceive creativity Salinger: stupid and snobbish. He is not a genius of mankind (as Cervantes, Dostoevsky, etc.). But he is independent (drinking a small glass of wine, but from his own!). Salinger first of all humanity - is the most important thing for a writer. He is too immature - but he исренний the author, though not deep (very superficial). But I like it. . It is important first of all honesty, and the rest of the only addition (talent, depth, etc.). Stupid assess human achievements. The main thing - essence and purity of soul. He is a good man: therefore he was a good author))

I think this has become the curse of literature, for authors, the man + the work, are combined, but it is the book, the work, that matters, I've read Catcher in the Rye like many, I came to it late, it was ringing in my ears for so many years from so many sources, 'read it, read it, read it' that I had to surrender and damn well read it.... and it's a great little book; and I know a small amount of biographical information about Salinger, very little, and it doesn't matter. The relationship is with the book...

Let's start having relationships/reading experiences with the book and forget about the author!

[Hamlet]

This thread has prompted me to look up Salinger, to see if there's some of his other writings which appeal...

[Svidrigailov]

Most of all the story "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" was pleasant. Stories also were pleasant to "For Esmé – to with Love and Squalor" and "Just Before the War with the Eskimos".
"A Perfect Day for Bananafish" is the most unsuccessful story (too artificial and pretentious)

[Hamlet]

Thanks for the tips, Svidrigailov, it'll be a while before I get around to these however!

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