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For Esmé - with Love and Squalor
It recounts a sergeant's meeting with a young girl before being sent into combat in World War II.
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
94 people are currently reading
1765 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Salinger
143 books16.4k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Works, most notably novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951), of American writer Jerome David Salinger often concern troubled, sensitive adolescents.
People well know this author for his reclusive nature. He published his last original work in 1965 and gave his last interview in 1980. Reared in city of New York, Salinger began short stories in secondary school and published several stories in the early 1940s before serving in World War II. In 1948, he published the critically acclaimed story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" in The New Yorker, his subsequent home magazine. He released an immediate popular success. His depiction of adolescent alienation and loss of innocence in the protagonist Holden Caulfield especially influenced adolescent readers. Widely read and controversial, sells a quarter-million copies a year.
The success led to public attention and scrutiny: reclusive, he published new work less frequently. He followed with a short story collection, Nine Stories (1953), of a novella and a short story, Franny and Zooey (1961), and a collection of two novellas, Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (1963). His last published work, a novella entitled "Hapworth 16, 1924", appeared in The New Yorker on June 19, 1965.
Afterward, Salinger struggled with unwanted attention, including a legal battle in the 1980s with biographer Ian Hamilton. In the late 1990s, Joyce Maynard, a close ex-lover, and Margaret Salinger, his daughter, wrote and released his memoirs. In 1996, a small publisher announced a deal with Salinger to publish "Hapworth 16, 1924" in book form, but the ensuing publicity indefinitely delayed the release.
Another writer used one of his characters, resulting in copyright infringement; he filed a lawsuit against this writer and afterward made headlines around the globe in June 2009. Salinger died of natural causes at his home in Cornish, New Hampshire.
Works, most notably novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951), of American writer Jerome David Salinger often concern troubled, sensitive adolescents.
People well know this author for his reclusive nature. He published his last original work in 1965 and gave his last interview in 1980. Reared in city of New York, Salinger began short stories in secondary school and published several stories in the early 1940s before serving in World War II. In 1948, he published the critically acclaimed story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" in The New Yorker, his subsequent home magazine. He released an immediate popular success. His depiction of adolescent alienation and loss of innocence in the protagonist Holden Caulfield especially influenced adolescent readers. Widely read and controversial, sells a quarter-million copies a year.
The success led to public attention and scrutiny: reclusive, he published new work less frequently. He followed with a short story collection, Nine Stories (1953), of a novella and a short story, Franny and Zooey (1961), and a collection of two novellas, Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (1963). His last published work, a novella entitled "Hapworth 16, 1924", appeared in The New Yorker on June 19, 1965.
Afterward, Salinger struggled with unwanted attention, including a legal battle in the 1980s with biographer Ian Hamilton. In the late 1990s, Joyce Maynard, a close ex-lover, and Margaret Salinger, his daughter, wrote and released his memoirs. In 1996, a small publisher announced a deal with Salinger to publish "Hapworth 16, 1924" in book form, but the ensuing publicity indefinitely delayed the release.
Another writer used one of his characters, resulting in copyright infringement; he filed a lawsuit against this writer and afterward made headlines around the globe in June 2009. Salinger died of natural causes at his home in Cornish, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
December 9, 2022
Having been put off reading ‘A Catcher in the Rye’, I thought this was a good way to sample J.D. Salinger, and what a thoroughly satisfying collection of short stories to ruminate and reflect on. To appraise, commend, and to even reason with. A book where all the characters and their stories felt real – too real which makes this collection all the more unforgettable.
A truly sobering read but a triumph of a book for its exploration of the flawed human mind portrayed alongside real and powerful themes, accompanied by some superb characters to deliver many hard-hitting, important, but also simple messages.
In each of the nine stories, no emotion is spared, no sentiment is over or under stated, as the trials and tribulations of life are laid bare in simple texts with some strong and poignant themes running through all of them.
My favourites are 'For Esmé - with Love and Squalor', the story the book takes its title from. The most disturbing was the first story – 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' which left me a little shocked at the ending. Also wonderful are ‘Down at the Dinghy’ about a mother trying to coach her son in dealing with fear, and ‘Teddy’ which explores multiple encounters onboard a luxury liner. All superbly written.
My least favourite was ‘The Laughing Man’ and ‘Just before the war with Eskimos’, mainly because the ending felt flat in both.
Each story is unique with the constant call for awareness, understanding and appreciation of the human mind, the internal conflict many wrestle with and how innocence can see beyond the furs and glitz to focus on what really matters – kindness and understanding.
The themes are endless, depression, suicide, loneliness, death, infidelity, greed, PTSD, love, and highlights the consequences of not seeing the obvious signs or not looking beyond yourself. For example, the wife in A Perfect Day for Bananafish jokes about her husband’s solemn mood not seeing the suicidal behaviour nor hearing the desperation in his words.
In ‘For Esme – with love and Squalor’ Esme is a young girl who meets an American soldier before he goes off to war. Despondent and battle weary the soldier has one of the most innocent but affecting conversations which helps pull him back from his current depressive state. The child then gifts her father’s watch and writes that this is on loan to help the sergeant through the war. Full of hope, innocence, touching and written with such simplicity and beauty.
However, this book is an experience and will take you on an emotional journey where the reader will experience a fusion of hope and hopelessness, sympathy, empathy, and despondency. Also kindness, and generosity of spirit, and even a sense of frustration at the many self-destructive and / or selfish acts. Most of all, we shine a light on ‘choice, understanding, acceptance and kindness’ and what a beautiful way to explore these themes through 9 short stories. Brilliant.
A truly sobering read but a triumph of a book for its exploration of the flawed human mind portrayed alongside real and powerful themes, accompanied by some superb characters to deliver many hard-hitting, important, but also simple messages.
In each of the nine stories, no emotion is spared, no sentiment is over or under stated, as the trials and tribulations of life are laid bare in simple texts with some strong and poignant themes running through all of them.
My favourites are 'For Esmé - with Love and Squalor', the story the book takes its title from. The most disturbing was the first story – 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' which left me a little shocked at the ending. Also wonderful are ‘Down at the Dinghy’ about a mother trying to coach her son in dealing with fear, and ‘Teddy’ which explores multiple encounters onboard a luxury liner. All superbly written.
My least favourite was ‘The Laughing Man’ and ‘Just before the war with Eskimos’, mainly because the ending felt flat in both.
Each story is unique with the constant call for awareness, understanding and appreciation of the human mind, the internal conflict many wrestle with and how innocence can see beyond the furs and glitz to focus on what really matters – kindness and understanding.
The themes are endless, depression, suicide, loneliness, death, infidelity, greed, PTSD, love, and highlights the consequences of not seeing the obvious signs or not looking beyond yourself. For example, the wife in A Perfect Day for Bananafish jokes about her husband’s solemn mood not seeing the suicidal behaviour nor hearing the desperation in his words.
In ‘For Esme – with love and Squalor’ Esme is a young girl who meets an American soldier before he goes off to war. Despondent and battle weary the soldier has one of the most innocent but affecting conversations which helps pull him back from his current depressive state. The child then gifts her father’s watch and writes that this is on loan to help the sergeant through the war. Full of hope, innocence, touching and written with such simplicity and beauty.
However, this book is an experience and will take you on an emotional journey where the reader will experience a fusion of hope and hopelessness, sympathy, empathy, and despondency. Also kindness, and generosity of spirit, and even a sense of frustration at the many self-destructive and / or selfish acts. Most of all, we shine a light on ‘choice, understanding, acceptance and kindness’ and what a beautiful way to explore these themes through 9 short stories. Brilliant.
December 19, 2023
A poignant and impactful short story about the trauma and psychological impact of war that unfolds through the memories of an American World War II veteran, recounting a chance encounter between him and a precocious young girl who made an impact on him, Esmé. It leaves the reader to ponder on the essence of human connection, love, loss and power of a fleeting moment, in the backdrop of conflict.
January 12, 2019
2019 These stories are filled with heart ache, humor, tiredness, hopelessness, and some characteristics I cannot quite pinpoint. Opening strong with A Perfect Day for Bananafish - possibly the best short story I've read, full-stop, we're constantly invited into a little glimpse of sadness in private lives. But the feeling is complicated, mixed with happiness at the little things, curiosity about the world or people in it, with human connection. Some of these stories walk the line between tragic and funny so well - Uncle Wiggily in Conneticut and Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes in particular. Some capture that timeless and yet so utterly fleeting time of childishness in a person - a state of mind rather than an age - so fragile and often at the brink seen here through the children of The Laughing Man, For Esme, Down at the Dinghy and in some respects Teddy too. Several stories touch at the effects of the war, on ex-soldiers and on civilians alike - the shadows of war and death hangs over many of these characters in their life-turning decisions and in their daily lives. Not only is this a book of wonderful stories, but it's a collection of such fine craftsmanship in totality as to make it an absolute must read for any lover of the short story form. Again, wonderful!
2018: I still feel like there is nothing quite like Salinger's short stories, in all the literature I've ever read. It's not just his ability to capture a fleeting moment, or his wonderful construction of dialogue, but the way he completely throws you into a situation - not caring whether you get your footing in the setting, or with the characters's lives, or not - before it is over and you're left with your mouth hanging open, not ready to let go. It's this feeling of always being right smack-dab in a person's life, being given a window into their private moments and contrasting public behavior, as if you're not quite meant to be there but yet you are, eavesdropping. And then having to leave each group of characters, each story, before there is an end in sight - as if this story keeps on going, without you, rather than remaining static, as most book's endings seem to do. It's clear Salinger really enjoys writing young characters, as children frequent these stories and are often the driving force within them. He also seems to have a particular sweet spot in drawing the interaction between adults and children, without any sentimentality. "For Esme - With Love and Squalor" or "Nine Stories" is just as good as I remembered it, and in some respects - even better, upon this second reading of it. How can so many of Salinger's stories move me to tears in such a short span of time and space? And without really understanding why I am so moved?
2014: There's something about Salinger's writing that really speaks to me. As was my experience with The Catcher in the Rye, I'll read something and then after taking a step back I'll realize how much of the story really sticks with me, and how much I like his way of writing. This is a short story collection, and definitely my favorite so far (haven't read many at all). I liked every single one, some I liked more than others (especially liked A perfect day for Banana fish and For Esme - with love and squalor), but even the ones I found less enjoyable to read - I ended up liking because of the way they stuck with me. I feel like what makes Salinger's writing so good is how he captures the everyday and mundane, but makes it into such an interesting piece, one that really grabs that single moment. Like taking a photograph. If that makes any sense at all. Bottom line, I loved to read this and I'm very much looking forward to reading his other two books as well as collecting them all and eventually rereading them.
2018: I still feel like there is nothing quite like Salinger's short stories, in all the literature I've ever read. It's not just his ability to capture a fleeting moment, or his wonderful construction of dialogue, but the way he completely throws you into a situation - not caring whether you get your footing in the setting, or with the characters's lives, or not - before it is over and you're left with your mouth hanging open, not ready to let go. It's this feeling of always being right smack-dab in a person's life, being given a window into their private moments and contrasting public behavior, as if you're not quite meant to be there but yet you are, eavesdropping. And then having to leave each group of characters, each story, before there is an end in sight - as if this story keeps on going, without you, rather than remaining static, as most book's endings seem to do. It's clear Salinger really enjoys writing young characters, as children frequent these stories and are often the driving force within them. He also seems to have a particular sweet spot in drawing the interaction between adults and children, without any sentimentality. "For Esme - With Love and Squalor" or "Nine Stories" is just as good as I remembered it, and in some respects - even better, upon this second reading of it. How can so many of Salinger's stories move me to tears in such a short span of time and space? And without really understanding why I am so moved?
2014: There's something about Salinger's writing that really speaks to me. As was my experience with The Catcher in the Rye, I'll read something and then after taking a step back I'll realize how much of the story really sticks with me, and how much I like his way of writing. This is a short story collection, and definitely my favorite so far (haven't read many at all). I liked every single one, some I liked more than others (especially liked A perfect day for Banana fish and For Esme - with love and squalor), but even the ones I found less enjoyable to read - I ended up liking because of the way they stuck with me. I feel like what makes Salinger's writing so good is how he captures the everyday and mundane, but makes it into such an interesting piece, one that really grabs that single moment. Like taking a photograph. If that makes any sense at all. Bottom line, I loved to read this and I'm very much looking forward to reading his other two books as well as collecting them all and eventually rereading them.
November 6, 2021
The story gives a glimpse into how savagely "off the mark" much of psychology was in the first half of the twentieth century, not that it is a precise science now - the attempted delineation and categorization of a thing as subtle, varied and complex as the human psyche is doomed to fail at least a bit, in the end.
The reason for my remark about the potential damage that the knowledge of psychology that was available and prevalent at the time, could do, relates to the part of the story that deals with a man who
It took a long time for PTSD to be recognized as something that most people sustain from experiencing trauma - people who sustained it in the past tended to be ridiculed as being "sissies" or cowards, and of course, labeling these people as such just made matters worse for them, and made it harder for them to recover from the trauma.
The reason for my remark about the potential damage that the knowledge of psychology that was available and prevalent at the time, could do, relates to the part of the story that deals with a man who
It took a long time for PTSD to be recognized as something that most people sustain from experiencing trauma - people who sustained it in the past tended to be ridiculed as being "sissies" or cowards, and of course, labeling these people as such just made matters worse for them, and made it harder for them to recover from the trauma.
August 16, 2022
Селинџер је један од оних аутора који су писали мало, а рекли много, задивили многе и ушли у круг оних бесмртних у који мали број уђе. Помињање Ловца у Ражи углавном, као ваљда и свако уметничко дело, изазива опречне коментаре. Некима је Ловац изванредан, омиљен, док неки нису опчињени, не налазе разлог за одушевљење, али не постоји нико ко није чуо за Селинџера, његовог Ловца у житу и једног од познатијих књижевних јунака Холдена Колфилда. Холден је један од оних јунака који су свеприсутни међу нама, онај јунак са којим смо се борили у себи, са којим смо одрастали, прерастали и са којим смо делили мисли, жеље и заблуде. Али Холден није сам, није Холден једини који је изашао из Селинџерове главе, већ су ту и деца породице Глас, они који представљају јунаке свих осталих Селинџерових дела. Читајући биографију писца и уживајући у његовим делима, делује као да је, у бројним описима своји јунака, њиховим психолошким профилима и описаним догађајима, описивао себе и оне ситне унутрашње трептаје који нас одређују као личност. Један сам од оних којима је Ловац у житу једна од омиљених књига, а Холден један од ликова који се не заборављају и дуго је времена прошло док се нисам одлучио да прочитам још нешто од Селинџера. Френи и Зуи, Симор, Високо подигните кровне греде тесари, а некако између свих њих и За Есме, књигу од девет прича. За Есме је књига која је са мном ишла на посао, на излете, у шетње, посете оцу, она која је чула моје мисли и разонодила ме у тенуцима доколице, свуда је ишла, али у кућу није улазила. Присуствовали смо заједно паузама између новонасталих школских група намењених за дезинфекцију, разговорима других људи, малим одморима деце о којима и сама пише, њиховим осмесима, љубавима, школским успесима и стрепњама, заједно смо слушали блуз док су испијане кафе у омиљеном ми месту за медитацију, испуњавале је део намењен за најважнији део човека, слободно време. Приче и приповетке не читам често, и мали је број који ме је одушевио и остао у памћењу: Лазаревић, Глишић, Ишигуро и од скора Селинџер и његова дивна Есме.
За Есме: девет прича се састоји, као што и сам наслов каже, од девет прича: Перфектан дан за банане-рибе, Ујка Вигли у Конектикату, Пре почетка рата са Ескимима, Човек који се смеје, Доле код чамца, За Есме – С љубављу и мучнином, Лепа уста и зелене ми очи, Плави период De Daumier-Smita, Теди. У тим причама главни јунаци, протагонисти или бар споредни ликови су деца. Деца која су услед одређених дешавања, сопстевног стања ума и трен��тка у коме су се налазила представљена као особе далеко зрелије од доба у коме се налазе. Ипак она нису изгубила своју искреност, невиност, маштовитост, али и фантастичну способност перцепције и она нас управо, тим својим главним квалитетима, уче животу и како да се чистог срца односимо према свету који нас окружује. Под велом хумора, разиграности, безбрижних дијалога и дечјих, невиних мисли скривене су животне филозофије, смрт, ратне трауме, друштвени сукоби и религиозна стремљења, запажања и искуства. Дијалозима Селинџер фантастично описује стање ума својих јунака, приближавајући нам на тај начин њихов карактер, њихове симпатије и тегобе са којима се у току живота суочавају. Поред текста који нам остаје у власништво да га ишчитавамо колико год пута пожелимо, Селинџер нам је у наслеђе оставио и мисли које долазе накнадно после читања књиге. Оставио је Есме и њено жељено писмо, замишљене другаре који скидају своје чизмице, радознале банана рибе, свеприсутног Симора и Тедија поврх свега. Оног Тедија који нам говори да остатке јабуке логике морамо испљунути како бисмо прогледали и видели стваран свет око нас, како бисмо одгајили децу која нису клонови нас и наших предрасуда, како бисмо свету дали своју имагинацију и како не бисмо живели у Морфеусовом Матриксу, привиду среће и радости наших малих и бедних животића, док их иза магле незнања чека лепота Бога.
„¬'Сећате се оне јабуке коју је Адам појео у Еденском врту, о којој се прича у библији?' упитао је. 'Знате ли шта је било у тој јабуци? Логика и сав тај интелектуални сос. То је све што је било у њој. И тако- а то је суштина свега- шта треба да се уради, човек треба само да те ствари избаци из желуца ако жели да види свет онакав какав заиста јесте.' (...) 'Невоља је у томе', рекао је Теди, 'што већина људи не жели да види предмете какви заиста јесту. Они чак и не желе да престану да се непрестано рађају и умиру. Они стално желе само нова тела, уместо да престану с тим и остану поред Бога, где је заиста лепо.' Неко време је размишљао. 'Никад нисам видео такав чопор јабукождера.' Рекао је и одмахнуо главом.“
За Есме: девет прича се састоји, као што и сам наслов каже, од девет прича: Перфектан дан за банане-рибе, Ујка Вигли у Конектикату, Пре почетка рата са Ескимима, Човек који се смеје, Доле код чамца, За Есме – С љубављу и мучнином, Лепа уста и зелене ми очи, Плави период De Daumier-Smita, Теди. У тим причама главни јунаци, протагонисти или бар споредни ликови су деца. Деца која су услед одређених дешавања, сопстевног стања ума и трен��тка у коме су се налазила представљена као особе далеко зрелије од доба у коме се налазе. Ипак она нису изгубила своју искреност, невиност, маштовитост, али и фантастичну способност перцепције и она нас управо, тим својим главним квалитетима, уче животу и како да се чистог срца односимо према свету који нас окружује. Под велом хумора, разиграности, безбрижних дијалога и дечјих, невиних мисли скривене су животне филозофије, смрт, ратне трауме, друштвени сукоби и религиозна стремљења, запажања и искуства. Дијалозима Селинџер фантастично описује стање ума својих јунака, приближавајући нам на тај начин њихов карактер, њихове симпатије и тегобе са којима се у току живота суочавају. Поред текста који нам остаје у власништво да га ишчитавамо колико год пута пожелимо, Селинџер нам је у наслеђе оставио и мисли које долазе накнадно после читања књиге. Оставио је Есме и њено жељено писмо, замишљене другаре који скидају своје чизмице, радознале банана рибе, свеприсутног Симора и Тедија поврх свега. Оног Тедија који нам говори да остатке јабуке логике морамо испљунути како бисмо прогледали и видели стваран свет око нас, како бисмо одгајили децу која нису клонови нас и наших предрасуда, како бисмо свету дали своју имагинацију и како не бисмо живели у Морфеусовом Матриксу, привиду среће и радости наших малих и бедних животића, док их иза магле незнања чека лепота Бога.
„¬'Сећате се оне јабуке коју је Адам појео у Еденском врту, о којој се прича у библији?' упитао је. 'Знате ли шта је било у тој јабуци? Логика и сав тај интелектуални сос. То је све што је било у њој. И тако- а то је суштина свега- шта треба да се уради, човек треба само да те ствари избаци из желуца ако жели да види свет онакав какав заиста јесте.' (...) 'Невоља је у томе', рекао је Теди, 'што већина људи не жели да види предмете какви заиста јесту. Они чак и не желе да престану да се непрестано рађају и умиру. Они стално желе само нова тела, уместо да престану с тим и остану поред Бога, где је заиста лепо.' Неко време је размишљао. 'Никад нисам видео такав чопор јабукождера.' Рекао је и одмахнуо главом.“
October 18, 2021
Couldn't find my copy of Nine Stories so found this online. Must have read it 10 times already. One of the greatest short stories of the 20th century in my opinion.
February 1, 2015
Salinger occupies a similar place to Fitzgerald in the canon of American literature; a writer who is more famous for his mediocre works (‘The Catcher in the Rye’ to Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’) than for his true masterpieces, his short stories. As a short story writer, Salinger is masterful, although the same ‘themes’ tend to pervade both his short and long stories (spiritualism, phoneyness of the adult world, suicide, loneliness and the angst of war veterans) they are not dragged out to the point of being tendentious as they are in ‘Catcher’ but instead act as a charming backdrop to the flawed adults and precocious children who populate his work. Salinger instead relies on subtle descriptions to describe emotions and characters, even his most innocuous observations are imbued with a deeper meaning and importance, for example; “He needed a haircut-especially at the nape of the neck-the worst way, as only a boy with a an almost full-grown head and reed like neck can need one.” The image immediately conjures up the weirdness and awkwardness of the character, Teddy and the sense of discomfort his almost unworldly precocity has on adults. Or, another example, “The girl heard him as if from a distance, and turned her face towards him, one eye-on the side of the light-closed tight, her open eye very, however disingenuously, large and so blue as to appear almost violet…” in a story based around the ambiguity of this female character. Although all of the stories are delightful in their own way, the two true masterpieces are ‘A Perfect Day for Banafish’ a melancholic exploration of a damaged war veteran (Nabokov considered it a masterpiece) and ‘De Daumier Smith’s Blue Period’ the story of a long distance art teacher and his relationships with his pupils-the whole short story is imbued with a surreal atmosphere, like the Picasso paintings which it references, yet perhaps for Salinger it was not surrealism, but his pointing to the limitless bounds of human experience and perception.
August 22, 2021
read this for a tutoring session and rediscovered the maxim we’d all do well to remember: the short story is a helluva medium. a strangely touching story about a traumatized war vet’s happenstance encounter with the precocious though earnest progenitor of one surly holden caulfield. a story equal parts love and squalor, “for esme” erects the prisonhouse of wartime trauma, then offers its single-lettered protagonist the hammer to destroy it—the way out of squalor and into love is, of course, language; “hell is the suffering of being unable to love,” as good as saying “the suffering of being unable to read and write.” takes the clipped repressive masculinity of hemingway and trades the nihilism for catharsis.
a star off for the casual anonymizing of adult women, naggy psychoanlyzing loretta and the faceless mrs. x… and then there’s esme herself, bright & empty as a marionette. i suspect as much as salinger ~gets~ adolescence, he also narrativizes it too cleanly, limning in a few short pages a charming portrait of a disaffected young teenager who can effect an adult man’s resurrection but not, ultimately, her own. a dimensional enough likeness up close, revealed from a distance to be nothing more than a flat surface
a star off for the casual anonymizing of adult women, naggy psychoanlyzing loretta and the faceless mrs. x… and then there’s esme herself, bright & empty as a marionette. i suspect as much as salinger ~gets~ adolescence, he also narrativizes it too cleanly, limning in a few short pages a charming portrait of a disaffected young teenager who can effect an adult man’s resurrection but not, ultimately, her own. a dimensional enough likeness up close, revealed from a distance to be nothing more than a flat surface
January 16, 2017
Καταπληκτικές ιστορίες... Μακάρι ο Σάλιντζερ να ήταν γνωστός ευρύτερα για αυτό το βιβλίο και όχι μόνο για τον αρκετά καλό "Catcher in the Rye". Ιστορίες με πολλά "στρώματα" και εκπληκτική χρήση της γλώσσας που δεν σε αφήνει να σταματήσεις το διάβασμα. Παρ' όλα αυτά, πρέπει κανείς να αφιερώσει τουλάχιστον 4 ημέρες για την ανάγνωσή τους έτσι ώστε να τις νιώσει και να τις "ενστερνιστεί" πλήρως. Τόσο καλές είναι. Ξεχώρισα το For Esmé-with Love and Squalor, το συγκινητικό Down at the Dinghy, το απίστευτα ατμοσφαιρικό και κρυπτικό Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes και όλες τις άλλες για να είμαι ειλικρινής! ;)
August 21, 2024
I never completely understood why people read the same book multiple times.
Now I do.
Now I do.
October 2, 2024
Pour le moment c'est mon ouvrage préféré de Salinger. Excellent recueil de nouvelles. On y trouve quelques connections avec Franny et Zooey et la famille Glass.
June 17, 2018
Selindžer je bio i ostaće jedan od ubjedljivo najtalentovanijih i najuticajnijih svjetskih pisaca kratkih priča. Njegov stil je sažet, prvoklasan i prelijep! Njegova najveća strast su djeca, njihova nevinost, snaga njihove imaginacije i njihova izvanredna sposobnost percepcije. Genijalna u svojoj neiskvarenosti ne prestaju da ga opčinjavaju i vjerovatno se nikad neće roditi književnik koji će o njima pisati sa toliko topline, gracioznosti i zahvalnosti što postoje i što nas neprestano uče kako da živimo u sadašnjem trenutku, čistog srca i uma nezamagljenog predrasudama. Svih devet priča zbirke „Za Esme“ su napisane sa očaravajućom jednostavnošću, naizgled labave strukture, ali s takvom razigranošću i svježinom koja razoružava i najtvrdokornijeg čitaoca nudeći mu nezaboravno iskustvo.
Detaljnije na blogu: https://sputnjik1.wordpress.com/2018/...
Detaljnije na blogu: https://sputnjik1.wordpress.com/2018/...
April 22, 2022
''Čitav svoj život čuvao sam razne stvari kao neka izuzetno neurotična svraka...''
U Selindžerovim pričama stanuju ideje.
U različitim mjestima kotrljaju se dani brojnih glavnih likova, tih starmalih bića postavljenih u svijet odraslih, dok pokušavaju dokučiti fenomen postojanja u (sve više) materijalistički nastrojenom društvu.
Selindžerovo pripovjedanje, uglavnom iz prvog lica, tako lepršavo, a do srži slojevito, čitaocu ostavlja na interpretaciju motive i završetke.
Postavljajući mlade ljude i djecu u svijet njihovih roditelja, autor se bavi tom djetinjom percepcijom, koja okruženju u kojem se nalaze daju nesvakidašnja svojstva, a sve kako bi se održali na površini svog postojanja, zbog čega ova zbirka zalazi u dubinu maštanja koje traži svoj put, nesputan u stvarnosti.
''Hoću da kažem, oni izgleda nisu sposobni da nas vole onakvi kakvi jesmo. Oni izgleda nisu sposobni da nas vole ukoliko nisu u stanju da nas neprestano menjaju. Oni vole svoje razloge zbog kojih nas vole gotovo isto toliko koliko vole nas, a u većini slučajeva čak i više. To nije baš tako dobro.''
U Selindžerovim pričama stanuju ideje.
U različitim mjestima kotrljaju se dani brojnih glavnih likova, tih starmalih bića postavljenih u svijet odraslih, dok pokušavaju dokučiti fenomen postojanja u (sve više) materijalistički nastrojenom društvu.
Selindžerovo pripovjedanje, uglavnom iz prvog lica, tako lepršavo, a do srži slojevito, čitaocu ostavlja na interpretaciju motive i završetke.
Postavljajući mlade ljude i djecu u svijet njihovih roditelja, autor se bavi tom djetinjom percepcijom, koja okruženju u kojem se nalaze daju nesvakidašnja svojstva, a sve kako bi se održali na površini svog postojanja, zbog čega ova zbirka zalazi u dubinu maštanja koje traži svoj put, nesputan u stvarnosti.
''Hoću da kažem, oni izgleda nisu sposobni da nas vole onakvi kakvi jesmo. Oni izgleda nisu sposobni da nas vole ukoliko nisu u stanju da nas neprestano menjaju. Oni vole svoje razloge zbog kojih nas vole gotovo isto toliko koliko vole nas, a u većini slučajeva čak i više. To nije baš tako dobro.''
June 8, 2025
One of Salinger's best-known short stories, a favourite of many, and also one that (I believe) reflects the author's own World War II experiences and war trauma.
When his collection Nine Stories was reissued, it was often re-titled For Esmé — with Love and Squalor and Other Stories.
Won't say much about the story itself— it must be read. I've read it twice recently, and would do so again, just to see what I might find the next time through.
When his collection Nine Stories was reissued, it was often re-titled For Esmé — with Love and Squalor and Other Stories.
Won't say much about the story itself— it must be read. I've read it twice recently, and would do so again, just to see what I might find the next time through.
August 15, 2023
Oni [pesnici] uvek trpaju svoje emocije u stvari koje uopšte nemaju emocija.
A ja, dok čitam Selindžerovu zbirku kratkih priča, osećam se baš kao pesnik, trpajući emocije u svaku stranu, svaki pasus, rečenicu, pa čak i slog na koji naiđem. Ovo su priče od kojih mi jeza prođe niz kičmu, pa progutam knedlu i jedva sklopim kapak da trepnem, jer sam obuzeta čitanjem i ne postoji ništa van ove knjige, ništa van sveta koji je stvoren tu i tada.
Namerno sam pokušavala da odužim čitanje. Namerno. Bukvalno sam pričala sebi da treba ovo uživanje, ovo prvo čitanje, produžiti da traje što duže, a kada sam završila, došla je sledeća misao: "Jedva čekam da ponovo pročitam ovu knjigu!"
Svaka priča me je oduševila na drugačiji način, u svakoj sam našla neki smisao i neku logiku, čak i u onim gde je logika neželjeni efekat bivstvovanja, ili onim koje bih okarakterisla kao pomalo dosadne, pojavila bi se jedna reč, jedna i ta jedna bila bi dovoljna da mi pažnja ostane prikovana za tekst predamnom. Ja sam oduševljena ovim piscem, smatram da je majstor svog zanata i radujem se ponovnim čitanjima. Biće ih, u to ne sumnjam.
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2. čitanje
• Perfektan dan za banana-ribe - 5*
Kako čitam prevod, prvo se pitam zašto ovaj dan nije savršen nego je perfektan. Nešto mi u ovoj priči ne štima. Nešto nije kako treba. Ispada da ipak ovakav naslov pristaje samoj priča jer se dešava upravo nešto što ne štima. Nije mi jasno. Evo ni posle toliko čitanja i dalje ne znam šta se to vrtelo po Simorovoj glavi da učini to što je učinio. Ovim čitanjem doduše, više sam se fokusirala na Mjuriel i njeno shvatanje svega. Jer ako je Simor toliko lud koliko ga opisuje njena majka, zašto bi pobogu Mjuriel i dalje bila sa njim? Kako se uopšte zaljubila u njega? Zašto je želela da provede svoj život sa njim?
• Ujka Vigli u Konektikatu - 5*
Mislim da mi je ovo najomiljenija od svih priča. Sećam se kada sam je prvi put čitala kako sam se mučila pokušavajući da izgovorim svako "k" u "Konektikat" i kako mi je baš tada prolazilo kroz glavu kako ovo i nije neki naziv za priču. Sve dok je nisam pročitala. Ujka Vigli će mi na neki čudan način postati jedna od romantičnijih priča koje sam pročitala. Ovo je jedina Selindžerova priča u kojoj se kao jedan od glavnih likova pojavljuje Volt. Ne znam da li mi je tada psotao omiljeni brat porodice Glas. Možda tek kad sam ih pročitala sve. Ne znam, a opet kao da sam iz tri rečenice njegove voljene izvukla više o njemu nego iz dve knjige o Simoru.
•Pre početka rata sa Eskimima - 5*
Poslednja rečenica ove priče. Poslednja rečenica je ključ. Jesam li je shvatila? Ne znam. Možda. Nije nemoguće. Ali, malo je čudno, zar ne?
•Čovek koji se smeje - 4.95*
Ovo priču pamtim po glavnom junaku i koliko me je zapravo uplašio kraj priče Čovek koji se smeje (da, u pitanju je priča u priči). Sada sam mogla da je povežem sa događajima koji je okružuju i shvatiti značaj Meri Hadson i partija bejzbola koje se igraju vikendom. I one koja se vodi kao poslednja.
•Dole kod čamca - 5*
Priča u kojoj se BU Bu glas pojavljuje kao glavna junakinja (prvi put). Priča koja remeti onu tezu da deca ne osećaju empatiju. Ovde se oseća previše.
•Za Esme, s ljubavlju i mučninom - 4.95*
Može se reći da je ova priča podeljena u dva dela, jedan ljubavan, jedan mučan. Pitam se ko je X, možda jedan od nama već poznatih likova (da nije Simor?) jer ono što znamo o njemu je da je oženjen, govori dosta jezika (bar francuski i nemački, pored engleskog), piše (ali ne baš puno pisma) i da je doživeo nervni slom. Međutim, tu mi se ne uklapa onaj brat sa komentarom... Uglavnom, jedna naizgled bezazlena priča koja da bi udovoljila svojoj junakinji, postaje mučna. I čitalac osećav sav strah i nepravdu koji su se svalili na generacije koje su doživele Drugi svetski rat.
•Lepa usta i zeleni mi oči- 5*
Jedna od onih gde ne znaš tačno šta se dešava, a u stvari znaš. A u stvari znaš. Cela priča je zapravo telefonski razgovor dva muškarca o jednoj devojci. Da li je to ista devojka koja se pojavljuje kroz opis okruženja jednog od muškaraca nije potvrđeno. Ali, ima smisla da je tako. Ipak, ovo je jedna od onih priča koja se sa takvom lakoćom čita, koja pušta da ti mašta sama razvija priču.
•Plavi period De Daumier Smitha - 4.5*
Totalno drugačiji osećaj sa ovom pričom. Melanholija glavnog lika oseća se u svakom pasusu, pomalo podsećajući na Lovca u žitu, pogotovo kada čujemo, moram tako reći, izmišljotine našeg junaka i njegove avanture, kojima dodaje specijalnu notu koliko god one delovale obične (a opet su neverovatno neobične). Ipak mi je od svih, najmanje pažnje zaokupirala.
•Tedi - 5*
Možda najduhovnija i filozofski nastrojena od svih 9 priča, Tedi ipak sa sobom nosi dozu detinjastog, u početku, da bi nas kako se približavamo kraju naterao da odrastemo i napregnemo naše moždane vijuge, a onda dotukao svojim vrhuncem u poslednjem pasusu. Ne, u poslednjoj rečenici. Ipak, da se Bil nije uputio ka palubi "E", kako bi onda Tedi postojao u našim mislima?
A ja, dok čitam Selindžerovu zbirku kratkih priča, osećam se baš kao pesnik, trpajući emocije u svaku stranu, svaki pasus, rečenicu, pa čak i slog na koji naiđem. Ovo su priče od kojih mi jeza prođe niz kičmu, pa progutam knedlu i jedva sklopim kapak da trepnem, jer sam obuzeta čitanjem i ne postoji ništa van ove knjige, ništa van sveta koji je stvoren tu i tada.
Namerno sam pokušavala da odužim čitanje. Namerno. Bukvalno sam pričala sebi da treba ovo uživanje, ovo prvo čitanje, produžiti da traje što duže, a kada sam završila, došla je sledeća misao: "Jedva čekam da ponovo pročitam ovu knjigu!"
Svaka priča me je oduševila na drugačiji način, u svakoj sam našla neki smisao i neku logiku, čak i u onim gde je logika neželjeni efekat bivstvovanja, ili onim koje bih okarakterisla kao pomalo dosadne, pojavila bi se jedna reč, jedna i ta jedna bila bi dovoljna da mi pažnja ostane prikovana za tekst predamnom. Ja sam oduševljena ovim piscem, smatram da je majstor svog zanata i radujem se ponovnim čitanjima. Biće ih, u to ne sumnjam.
*******************************************
2. čitanje
• Perfektan dan za banana-ribe - 5*
Kako čitam prevod, prvo se pitam zašto ovaj dan nije savršen nego je perfektan. Nešto mi u ovoj priči ne štima. Nešto nije kako treba. Ispada da ipak ovakav naslov pristaje samoj priča jer se dešava upravo nešto što ne štima. Nije mi jasno. Evo ni posle toliko čitanja i dalje ne znam šta se to vrtelo po Simorovoj glavi da učini to što je učinio. Ovim čitanjem doduše, više sam se fokusirala na Mjuriel i njeno shvatanje svega. Jer ako je Simor toliko lud koliko ga opisuje njena majka, zašto bi pobogu Mjuriel i dalje bila sa njim? Kako se uopšte zaljubila u njega? Zašto je želela da provede svoj život sa njim?
• Ujka Vigli u Konektikatu - 5*
Mislim da mi je ovo najomiljenija od svih priča. Sećam se kada sam je prvi put čitala kako sam se mučila pokušavajući da izgovorim svako "k" u "Konektikat" i kako mi je baš tada prolazilo kroz glavu kako ovo i nije neki naziv za priču. Sve dok je nisam pročitala. Ujka Vigli će mi na neki čudan način postati jedna od romantičnijih priča koje sam pročitala. Ovo je jedina Selindžerova priča u kojoj se kao jedan od glavnih likova pojavljuje Volt. Ne znam da li mi je tada psotao omiljeni brat porodice Glas. Možda tek kad sam ih pročitala sve. Ne znam, a opet kao da sam iz tri rečenice njegove voljene izvukla više o njemu nego iz dve knjige o Simoru.
•Pre početka rata sa Eskimima - 5*
Poslednja rečenica ove priče. Poslednja rečenica je ključ. Jesam li je shvatila? Ne znam. Možda. Nije nemoguće. Ali, malo je čudno, zar ne?
•Čovek koji se smeje - 4.95*
Ovo priču pamtim po glavnom junaku i koliko me je zapravo uplašio kraj priče Čovek koji se smeje (da, u pitanju je priča u priči). Sada sam mogla da je povežem sa događajima koji je okružuju i shvatiti značaj Meri Hadson i partija bejzbola koje se igraju vikendom. I one koja se vodi kao poslednja.
•Dole kod čamca - 5*
Priča u kojoj se BU Bu glas pojavljuje kao glavna junakinja (prvi put). Priča koja remeti onu tezu da deca ne osećaju empatiju. Ovde se oseća previše.
•Za Esme, s ljubavlju i mučninom - 4.95*
Može se reći da je ova priča podeljena u dva dela, jedan ljubavan, jedan mučan. Pitam se ko je X, možda jedan od nama već poznatih likova (da nije Simor?) jer ono što znamo o njemu je da je oženjen, govori dosta jezika (bar francuski i nemački, pored engleskog), piše (ali ne baš puno pisma) i da je doživeo nervni slom. Međutim, tu mi se ne uklapa onaj brat sa komentarom... Uglavnom, jedna naizgled bezazlena priča koja da bi udovoljila svojoj junakinji, postaje mučna. I čitalac osećav sav strah i nepravdu koji su se svalili na generacije koje su doživele Drugi svetski rat.
•Lepa usta i zeleni mi oči- 5*
Jedna od onih gde ne znaš tačno šta se dešava, a u stvari znaš. A u stvari znaš. Cela priča je zapravo telefonski razgovor dva muškarca o jednoj devojci. Da li je to ista devojka koja se pojavljuje kroz opis okruženja jednog od muškaraca nije potvrđeno. Ali, ima smisla da je tako. Ipak, ovo je jedna od onih priča koja se sa takvom lakoćom čita, koja pušta da ti mašta sama razvija priču.
•Plavi period De Daumier Smitha - 4.5*
Totalno drugačiji osećaj sa ovom pričom. Melanholija glavnog lika oseća se u svakom pasusu, pomalo podsećajući na Lovca u žitu, pogotovo kada čujemo, moram tako reći, izmišljotine našeg junaka i njegove avanture, kojima dodaje specijalnu notu koliko god one delovale obične (a opet su neverovatno neobične). Ipak mi je od svih, najmanje pažnje zaokupirala.
•Tedi - 5*
Možda najduhovnija i filozofski nastrojena od svih 9 priča, Tedi ipak sa sobom nosi dozu detinjastog, u početku, da bi nas kako se približavamo kraju naterao da odrastemo i napregnemo naše moždane vijuge, a onda dotukao svojim vrhuncem u poslednjem pasusu. Ne, u poslednjoj rečenici. Ipak, da se Bil nije uputio ka palubi "E", kako bi onda Tedi postojao u našim mislima?
December 21, 2016
Pretty uncool that our dear JDS (let me live in my intellectual wannabe bubble and say JDS please) left us with such a tiny compilation of work, because I could just bathe in his writing, no joke.
Lucky me, I still have Raise High to look forward to.
This particular collection of short stories has somewhat achieved sentimental value for me; starting the moment I chose it in a picturesque bookshop in seaside town Aldeburgh, UK, scavenger hunting the shelves for something my father would buy for me, all the while having a loud bumblebee buzzing around the shop and my younger siblings making a racket in the children's section.
Imagine summertime seabreezes and sunshine and good smells - that was basically the moment I acquired this book, how could you not love that?
Then I started reading the first page waiting for a friend to pick me up before heading to a cool place, a couple of weeks after, and I remember being so engrossed and amused by the first paragraph I read and reread it till finally my friend made me jump by creeping up on me.
After that initial start I put it down for some reason and only ever got around to reading it in this christmas season - complete change of scenario for me, living in a different place and taking it along to family visits and uni-bound train rides.
So yes, sentimentality has a (gorgeous blue and gold) face.
Cue me squealing.
But hey - it doesn't stop there with my happy feelings towards this book, because the contents itself was beautiful.
I wish people wouldn't stop their JDS experience after Holden Caulfield, as his other work deserves that attention as well.
The way he describes children and their mannerisms is beyond me!
Personal favs in this include:
A Perfect Day for Bananafish. (Oh woahheee)
Just Before the War with the Eskimos.
For Esmé - with Love and Squalor.
But to be honest, I can't really choose here, such a wonderful, wonderful work as a whole.
Lucky me, I still have Raise High to look forward to.
This particular collection of short stories has somewhat achieved sentimental value for me; starting the moment I chose it in a picturesque bookshop in seaside town Aldeburgh, UK, scavenger hunting the shelves for something my father would buy for me, all the while having a loud bumblebee buzzing around the shop and my younger siblings making a racket in the children's section.
Imagine summertime seabreezes and sunshine and good smells - that was basically the moment I acquired this book, how could you not love that?
Then I started reading the first page waiting for a friend to pick me up before heading to a cool place, a couple of weeks after, and I remember being so engrossed and amused by the first paragraph I read and reread it till finally my friend made me jump by creeping up on me.
After that initial start I put it down for some reason and only ever got around to reading it in this christmas season - complete change of scenario for me, living in a different place and taking it along to family visits and uni-bound train rides.
So yes, sentimentality has a (gorgeous blue and gold) face.
Cue me squealing.
But hey - it doesn't stop there with my happy feelings towards this book, because the contents itself was beautiful.
I wish people wouldn't stop their JDS experience after Holden Caulfield, as his other work deserves that attention as well.
The way he describes children and their mannerisms is beyond me!
Personal favs in this include:
A Perfect Day for Bananafish. (Oh woahheee)
Just Before the War with the Eskimos.
For Esmé - with Love and Squalor.
But to be honest, I can't really choose here, such a wonderful, wonderful work as a whole.
May 5, 2019
bilo je baš lepo vratiti se ponovi selindžeru, omiljena priča mi je za esme i lepa usta i zelene mi oči
December 14, 2016
If there's one story you read today, make it Teddy by Salinger. Truly beautiful. There are so many quotes I want to write from this collection of stories, but unfortunately don't have the book on me right now. :(
This was my last Salinger (except Hapworth and some of his scattered short stories) and just about the most perfect way to end the year.
This was my last Salinger (except Hapworth and some of his scattered short stories) and just about the most perfect way to end the year.
January 7, 2023
This might be my favorite line in any book.
“Charles, whom I am teaching to read and write and whom I am finding an extremely intelligent novice, wishes to add a few words.
Please write me as soon as you have the time and inclination.
HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO
LOVE AND KISSES CHARLES”
“Charles, whom I am teaching to read and write and whom I am finding an extremely intelligent novice, wishes to add a few words.
Please write me as soon as you have the time and inclination.
HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO
LOVE AND KISSES CHARLES”
January 25, 2016
Salinger is a genius. I like that there is so much dialogue in his short stories.
Out of the nine stories in this collection, my favourites were: A Perfect Day for Bananafish, For Esme - With Live and Squalor, De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period and Teddy. Oh my, Teddy was beautiful.
Out of the nine stories in this collection, my favourites were: A Perfect Day for Bananafish, For Esme - With Live and Squalor, De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period and Teddy. Oh my, Teddy was beautiful.
March 18, 2021
just wanted to share one of my favorite lines:
"You know what she said? She says nobody gets a nervous breakdown just from the war and all. She says you probably were unstable like, your whole goddarn life."
"You know what she said? She says nobody gets a nervous breakdown just from the war and all. She says you probably were unstable like, your whole goddarn life."
March 27, 2015
Exquisite in its entirety.
February 28, 2015
ALWAYS WORTH REREADING!
February 15, 2022
Para Esmé, con amor y sordidez
«Santo Dios, la vida es un infierno».
«Santo Dios, la vida es un infierno».
May 24, 2023
hello hello hello hello hello hello hello hello love and kisses charlie
August 24, 2022
Lijepo, čudno, neugodno.
Read
October 5, 2022had to read this for school and now i'm d-e-p-r-e-s-s-e-d.
August 31, 2025
So exquisitely written and yet often carrying no impact. A collection of varying degrees for certain.
January 15, 2020
Knjigu priča „Za Esme“ Džeroma Dejvida Selindžera ove godine sam prvi put pročitala, iako je objavljena kod nas još 2009. (Izdavačka kuća LOM; prevod Nikola Kršić). Pre toga, bilo mi je poznato nekoliko priča, pročitanih na sastancima Književnog kluba „Prejaka reč“. Naravno, i Selindžerov roman „Lovac u žitu“. Knjiga „Za Esme“ kojom završavam 2019. godinu, za mene je književni događaj prvog reda, i daleko intenzivniji čitalački doživljaj nego što je bilo čitanje „Lovca“. Ne krijem da sam veliki poklonik kratkih priča. Selindžer se ovom knjigom pridružuje dugačkoj listi mojih književnih heroja na kojoj su Kortasar, Borhes, Kafka, Bucati, Kalvino… Priče su pisane veoma pažljivo, sa osećajem za detalj, sa izuzetno uspelim dijalozima iz kojih uglavnom saznajemo dešavanja koja čine fabulu. Junaci priča su neretko deca ili veoma mladi ljudi, prikazani tako da do izražaja dolazi njihova prava priroda, odraslima često nedostupna (zbog bavljenja sobom, ozbiljnim pitanjima ozbiljnog sveta odraslih ljudi). Izgleda kao da su suviše zreli za svoje godine – no, to je predrasuda; deca intenzivno promišljaju i doživljavaju svet, ali se neretko književnom obradom vrši neka vrsta infantilizacije. Zbirka tematizuje i posleratno vreme, junaci nekih priča su povratnici iz rata. Stilski veoma uspela, nenapadno duhovita, nepatetična – ova zbirka nema nijednu suvišnu rečenicu. Sa ovom knjigom završavam godinu, ali podozrevam da se neću tako lako rastati od nje i da ću je u 2020. godini čitati još jednom od početka – kao prvu.
September 25, 2019
The stories are good. They just are (except for, I would argue, the last two, in which spirituality meets sentimentality in an unhappy way). They have a deftness and poise that feels rare, they are readable, they are humorous alongside their seriousness. They don't rely on descriptive language or lyricism or even on plot, really, but instead build their atmosphere through the things that people say and how they say it. There might be a surfeit of precocious young people but on the whole the characters are well realised - who else but Salinger can capture such natural dialogue so precisely?
When I was about half way through the book, just after "For Esme..." in fact, an itch that began with the first story (A Perfect Day for Bananafish) bloomed into a fully formed thought: did Salinger have a thing for young girls? And the answer is, yes. He sure did.
And suddenly I am so tired. These men and their genius and their power and what we are willing to forgive them for. I was so looking forward to making my way through the Glass stories (and I probably still will) but now all that's in my head are those precocious young girls, those much older men, those author avatars who wield their sensitivity and intellectualism, their observational power, their attention like a weapon.
When I was about half way through the book, just after "For Esme..." in fact, an itch that began with the first story (A Perfect Day for Bananafish) bloomed into a fully formed thought: did Salinger have a thing for young girls? And the answer is, yes. He sure did.
And suddenly I am so tired. These men and their genius and their power and what we are willing to forgive them for. I was so looking forward to making my way through the Glass stories (and I probably still will) but now all that's in my head are those precocious young girls, those much older men, those author avatars who wield their sensitivity and intellectualism, their observational power, their attention like a weapon.
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