Novel By: J.D. Salinger
I need to start off this review by sharing that I am writing this on January 3rd, 2022. I finished Franny and Zooey a little earlier today, and it may very well be the best book I will read this year. Not kidding. As a high school student interested in literature, I understand the importance of reading ‘The Classics’. However, that does not mean that this category of books is easy (or fun) to read. The profound ideas and intricate messages these novels produce can be pretty indigestible for a seventeen year old. Franny and Zooey is not remotely like this. Going into this book and knowing Salinger as a Classics Writer, I believed I would be forcing myself to keep reading; in actuality, I had to force myself to stop reading.From the first few pages, I was captivated. The book is composed of two short stories that follow the lives of the Glass family’s youngest members: Franny and Zooey. Franny’s portion delves into a conversation-turned-argument between the girl and her English major boyfriend, Lane. Zooey’s portion comes sequentially after, and gives more insight into the family background before working to resolve the story’s problem. Huge segments of this book focus on the power of knowledge, love, and acceptance. It can definitely be viewed from a religious point of view (as prayer and Jesus are some very key players), but it can also relate to an individual’s mentality on navigating the Adult World.
Salinger’s writing is so very natural. Every setting, description, and chunk of dialogue was, in my opinion, perfect. The tones of the respective characters were smoothly conveyed through word choice and italicization, leading me to even read some of the monologue portions out loud. Franny and Zooey had similar personalities with starkly contrasting mindsets, gifted to them by their eldest brothers and growing up in the limelight. The author provided just the right amount of Glass history for the reader to comprehend the speaking styles Franny and Zooey had adopted. Such well developed details kept me intrigued as the timeline progressed. Most importantly, I believe Salinger’s chosen themes of spiritualism, conformity, and egocentrism spoke to the social problems of his era, but also can find truth in modern times. His ability to encapsulate the message at hand through both emotional and factual dialogue displays just how timeless his writing is, as well as why his stories are incredibly enjoyable. I now have the strong urge to find and engorge on Salinger’s other work surrounding the Glass family members, because their unique connection between mysticism and intelligence has most definitely piqued my interest.
If you are not one for Classics, this is definitely the book for you. It can be pretty lengthy due to lack of breaks, but the text itself is straightforward and chock full of relevance. Franny and Zooey held my attention like that of a Young Adult Fantasy novel, effectively fashioning it into a five star, unforgettable read.
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