Vishakha’s review of Franny and Zooey > Likes and Comments

Who knows how many hidden works Salinger left. His son and executor, Matt, knows, but he's playing coy.

Thanks for giving me a peep at the Glass family again, Vishaka. Your points about details and the way the writing creates pictures for us is what I remember most. I can still see those images of people smoking, the mother especially for some reason? But the dialogue too, though I can't remember it so clearly, was so good—though like you, I wasn't keen on the sermonizing. I had meant to read more of the Glass books and you've reminded me of that intention.

काफी अच्छी तरह से लिखते हो. बहुत शुक्रिया. Bob

Ken wrote: "Who knows how many hidden works Salinger left. His son and executor, Matt, knows, but he's playing coy."

I would love to read his later works if Matt ever releases them. It seems he felt too deeply about spiritual anguish and authenticity, and I wonder if he continued writing about those themes. Even if not, I would love to read for the dialogues and descriptions.

Fionnuala wrote: "Thanks for giving me a peep at the Glass family again, Vishaka. Your points about details and the way the writing creates pictures for us is what I remember most. I can still see those images of pe..."
It is always nice to hear from you, Fionnuala. You are right, the mother seemed like a serial smoker with cigarettes stuffed into her kimono pockets with all the other paraphernalia she was lugging around. Everyone in that house seemed to be smoking - to think, to express, to pace their cleverly-written dialogues. Hope both of us get to reading those remaining Glass Family books soon!

Bob wrote: "काफी अच्छी तरह से लिखते हो. बहुत शुक्रिया. Bob"

Bob, आपका बहुत धन्यवाद इतनी अच्छी बात कहने के लिए! शुक्रिया आपने मेरा  लिखा हुआ पढ़ा।

Your review brings back pleasant memories, Vishakha.

The way you depicted how a regular scene from the book would play out made me laugh, Vishakha - it's a pity that smoking is so unhealthy, as wouldn't we all dream of being able to launch some clever and profound witticisms following those little white puffs of smoke? I loved your feisty and engaging write-up, this sounded an intense and vivid reading experience.

Also, Vishalha….when I was first encountering CATCHER as a callow youth, everyone was obsessed with finding out where the ducks in Central Park went in the winter!

Spellcheck disrupted your name, Vishakha

Such an insightful review, Vishakha!

A stellar review, Vishakha, that showcases the author's storytelling skills.

Daniel wrote: "Your review brings back pleasant memories, Vishakha."

Daniel, I'm glad I could remind you of some cherished times. And you reminded me of the question about the ducks that did not get answered, even though Holden asked around and contemplated it. It's been a long time since I met Holden.

Intriguing review, Vishakha. Your attention to Salinger's movement in dialogue reminds me of Hemingway who sometimes focused on character movement in dialogue to add to the tension.

Ilse wrote: "The way you depicted how a regular scene from the book would play out made me laugh, Vishakha - it's a pity that smoking is so unhealthy, as wouldn't we all dream of being able to launch some cleve..."
Ilse, whenever I look at people smoking, I feel that they are gazing into the space and thinking about something profound (not their health, of course), maybe because they feel calmer after the smoke. Even the TV series "Mad Men" made smoking feel so glamourous and conducive to uttering witticism. A series of puffs and you could churn out an ad campaign. Glad I could make you laugh, Ilse, and thank you for your ever-kind comments.

Kevin wrote: "Such an insightful review, Vishakha!"

Thank you for stopping by, Kevin! The characters in this book utter way too many insights on every other page.

Read this last year. I wasn't too impressed with it. Thanks for the insightful review and analysis :)

Laysee wrote: "A stellar review, Vishakha, that showcases the author's storytelling skills."

Thank you for the lovely comment, Laysee. I enjoyed my time with the book and look forward to seeing more of the "Glass Family".

Cheryl wrote: "Intriguing review, Vishakha. Your attention to Salinger's movement in dialogue reminds me of Hemingway who sometimes focused on character movement in dialogue to add to the tension."

Thank you for reading my thoughts on the book, Cheryl. And thank you for the insight on Hemingway's writing. I have read only a bit of him during my teens. This is a nice reminder to pick him up again.

Franky wrote: "Read this last year. I wasn't too impressed with it. Thanks for the insightful review and analysis :)"

Thank you for stopping by, Franky. :) I'm sorry it did not work for you because of the unlikable characters and Zooey's tirades. From your wonderful review, I understand that "Nine Stories" is a superior read where Salinger is at the top of his game. I'll pick that one up soon.

Vishakha wrote: "Franky wrote: "Read this last year. I wasn't too impressed with it. Thanks for the insightful review and analysis :)"

Thank you for stopping by, Franky. :) I'm sorry it did not work for you becaus..."

Thanks :) I think that Salinger is on his game when he is writing short, compact stories with a certain theme or element where he zeroes on them. I really enjoyed Nine Stories a lot.

Vishakha, this is an excellent write-up of this book but also of Salinger's writing in general. I've only read Catcher in the Rye fairly recently for the first time, but I can see some similarities to what you've said here about F&Z. I loved Catcher but think I'll read Nine Stories the next time I feel inclined to read Salinger.

Outstanding review. I read Salinger in high school and reading your review make me realize that I should revisit him as an adult.

I so enjoyed reading your review, Vishakha. I read Franny and Zooey soooo many years ago, I just have this vague memory of it (unlike Catcher, which I loved and seems permanently imprinted in my mind), so you have inspired me to pick it up again! Who knows what I would make of it now. More recently I read his Nine Stories which I enjoyed immensely, and also noticed its being littered with adverbs.

Great review Vishakha, I loved Holden Caulfield as a character - you've made this one sound very enticing indeed! Nice one 🤗🦘🎈

An impressive analysis Vishakha.

Franky wrote: "Vishakha wrote: "Franky wrote: "Read this last year. I wasn't too impressed with it. Thanks for the insightful review and analysis :)"

Thank you for stopping by, Franky. :) I'm sorry it did not wo..."

Thank you for the referral, Franky. I'll get to it as soon as I can. I really enjoy Salinger's writing.

Candi wrote: "Vishakha, this is an excellent write-up of this book but also of Salinger's writing in general. I've only read Catcher in the Rye fairly recently for the first time, but I can see some similarities..."

Candi, thank you for reading my thoughts on this book. Yes, you are right; there are many similarities between the two books—grief, disillusionment, inauthenticity, to name a few. I'm also really looking forward to reading Nine Stories.

Linda wrote: "Outstanding review. I read Salinger in high school and reading your review make me realize that I should revisit him as an adult."

Thank you, Linda. I'll be really excited to read your thoughts on his work. :)

Robin wrote: "I so enjoyed reading your review, Vishakha. I read Franny and Zooey soooo many years ago, I just have this vague memory of it (unlike Catcher, which I loved and seems permanently imprinted in my mi..."

Thanks a bunch, Robin :). I love whatever nonsense Holden utters - and I always remember this one - "I'd never yell 'Good luck!' at anybody. It sounds terrible, when you think about it."
I have started with Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut, and I'm really enjoying the writing. So exciting !!

Mark wrote: "Great review Vishakha, I loved Holden Caulfield as a character - you've made this one sound very enticing indeed! Nice one 🤗🦘🎈"

Thanks, Mark. For a change, I will not get jealous whenever you read and post a review about this one, as I've already read it :).

Ian wrote: "An impressive analysis Vishakha."

Ian, thanks for stopping by and reading this.