A Review: Nine Stories

Title of Work: Nine Stories
Author: J.D. Salinger
Format:
Published: 1948
Started:
Finished: 2023-12-29\

Posted: Goodreads
Rating: 5/5

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I’m really mixed up about this one and… awestruck maybe? So concentrated, pure reduction, essence of short story. You almost think oh it’s formulaic, I figured out the gag then sort of lose your way half way through the next one and don’t quite find it again before the last few lines put you right back on your ass.

Quick, handy characterization. The dialogue is so good and just plain funny. Not overly concerned with setting but careful enough to make you see each scene and the characters interacting within it without effort. Seductive, odd, and each with a sort of weird twist ending (maybe this is conventional by modern standards but, come on… late ’40s, early ’50s?) that sort of leaves you speechless with the book open, face down. You gotta let these stories marinate for a bit before you move on, maybe take a lap around the room or bounce something off the wall while you ruminate.