Nine Stories

Some of the stories are a bit impenetrable, but others are truly gems. My favorite for years has been "The Laughing Man," which is perhaps the most traditionally structured story in the bunch but novel and engaging and layered and moving. It's probably time for me to go back and read the entire collection again, and see how the years may have altered my tastes.

What can I say about Salinger other than I have a postmortem writer's crush on him.

The great Salinger is not for everyone. I found these stories to be odd and outdated and most of the characters unlikeable - and cigarettes, swearing, and alcohol seem to be main characters, too. That said, these are arresting tales of angst and alienation that ought to be read at least twice, the second time after studying the deadcaulfields.com site for more background and understanding....more

The great Salinger is not for everyone. I found these stories to be odd and outdated and most of the characters unlikeable - and cigarettes, swearing, and alcohol seem to be main characters, too. That said, these are arresting tales of angst and alienation that ought to be read at least twice, the second time after studying the deadcaulfields.com site for more background and understanding. I'm off for a second go-round.   hide

An uneven collection that sometimes reveals Salinger's genius, sometimes reveals how insular and self-serving a writer he can be -- and there's nothing inherently wrong with that, but it sorta diminishes the point of publishing.