Reading Salinger

[@boxorfurnace]

I saw an Emma Stone interview where she said her favorite story was “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters”. So, out of curiosity I gave it a read and loved it. I then came across your (very well done) Salinger summary and it helped me fill in the blanks and provided suggestions for further Salinger reading. I subscribed and liked…thank you so much!! 😊

[@CuriousReader]

Oh thank you, so happy to hear you found it helpful! 🙏 Have fun exploring Salinger’s writing!

[@tortoisedreams6369]

Loved this -- I couldn't agree more. I do love his writing style. Reading through Salinger was a wonderful experience. Salinger loves the Glass family so much that he makes me care about them too. I love the scenes in Catcher where Holden talks about Phoebe. So touching. Great video & really enjoyed how you summed up his work.

[@CuriousReader]

Thank you! Me too, I feel like the more I read his work the more I appreciate the intricacies of his writing. It's hard not to feel a bit attached to the Glass family after reading all of his work and seeing them all through so many different angles, Seymour especially!

[@anenthusiasticreader]

I appreciate your empathetic reading of Salinger’s work. So often I think he is unfairly categorized in ways I just haven’t seen when I’ve read his books. Very thoughtful.

[@CuriousReader]

Yes, he seems to often be judged harshly - either for his less than perfect characters or for writing books without much weight (at least the latter is something Joanna Rakoff touches on in 'My Salinger Year' and I feel like it's accurate as some people's view on his writing). Thank you so much!

[@barbradingwall3502]

Interesting to hear your take on all of these. The only Salinger I have re-read multiple times is Franny & Zooey, and I preferred Zooey"s story each time. I think I want to try to read all these in succession like you have done - just don't know when exactly that will happen.

[@CuriousReader]

That's so interesting! I'm wondering how my feelings about Franny & Zooey will change over time, as it has already dramatically changed with just two readings. I'd highly recommend it! I feel like I gained a new appreciation for his writing by reading them so close together.

[@whatpageareyouon]

this was wonderful! I really like how you say Salinger sort of ends up blurring reality and fiction with, to me, his obsession with the Glass family. Thinking back, I wonder if I was so taken by his persistence with conceptualizing the Glass family between texts rather than the actual storytelling--especially with Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters. Since I had read that last from his works, I was so busy piecing things together I think, but in a very welcomed way. I'll have to revisit Salinger again soon, perhaps chronologically as well.

[@CuriousReader]

Thank you Alex! Yes, definitely obsession! I'm happy I read them back to back as I think that helped me fill in some of the gaps in the larger Glass narrative that I hadn't been able to piece together before. Although I'm still learning pieces of the puzzle I've missed (kind of adding to the enjoyment of reading his books tbh). I would love to hear your thoughts if you do go on a rereading trip through his work!

[@HeyPaulaCooper]

I hated catcher in the rye BUT loved Franny and Zooey. After watching this video I think I need to re read the first with a different mindset.

[@CuriousReader]

Oh I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts if you do! I totally get the dislike for Catcher, in a lot of ways it's so different from his other works - but still, I think the emotional tone is similar to his other writing - which in my opinion is its main strength.

[@merelevelyne]

This was interesting! The only Salinger I ever read was The Catcher in the Rye and as you already know, I wasn't a fan. But after watching this I might give him another try at some point ;) Only usually I don't really enjoy short stories and novellas, so maybe that's also a reason that he doesn't appeal to me that much. I really enjoyed how you discussed his work in this video, though!

[@CuriousReader]

Yes, the funny thing is that I have not been a big reader of short stories (novellas, even less) historically but I think I do love the form when it's done well, it's just that I haven't read much of it yet. I do understand that it's not for everyone though, it's such a different reading experience compared to a novel one has the time to get really stuck in! I'm so glad you listened to my ramblings even so!! xx

[@DizzleNPop]

Hello there, who's your favorite author?

[@CuriousReader]

At the moment, probably Salinger and Shirley Jackson!

[@jansdoe6963]

Charles Manson