In the name of him

After reading "Fernie and Zuie" and getting to know the two young children of the Glass family, I went on to read the book "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction". The narrator of this book is Buddy, the second child of the Glass family, who portrays the personality of Seymour, the eldest brother of the family, who is kind of considered the mentor of the family. And the more we read, the better and more we get acquainted with this interesting personality.

After reading "Fernie and Zuie" and the short story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", don't miss reading this book.

The story was excellent. It was flawless. In terms of details, examples, conclusion, characterization, and dialogue, J.D. Salinger did an outstanding job. The story revolves around Seymour's wedding ceremony and the narrator provides flashbacks that both explain Seymour's character and introduce his family. Everyone. He does this so flawlessly that it seems like he is describing one of his own families. It is that natural for him. To that extent, the characters are alive, although they are not ordinary at all. But they have been given certain qualities that convince us. The relationships between the children are so interesting that you want to keep reading their stories all the time.

I deducted one star for that prologue. He talked so much that I didn't understand what he was saying! For example, from the whole prologue, maybe I understood what he was saying in four or five paragraphs! But that look was also interesting. That he had come to observe Seymour and even criticized him in a certain place. I thought it was very pretentious and plagiarized, but then I remembered that in vernacular and slang, being pretentious and plagiarized doesn't necessarily mean bad in terms of the overall performance. Especially in a place where it really works. :D And here we really have a performance full of quirks that you sometimes want to put your hand over your mouth and say, "Oh my God, this is so amazing." And then, just when you think it's going over the top, you realize that he is making an important point and you sit up straight.

Mr. Salinger is very tricky. :))

I always find myself struggling with remembering the details of what Salinger's Glass family stories are truly about. However, despite this, I have an immense enjoyment whenever I engage with them. In fact, I enjoy them to a much greater extent than "Catcher in the Rye". Here's a fun fact: when I initially read "Catcher in the Rye", I didn't have a favorable opinion of it. This was because I felt that I had surpassed the age where I could have sympathized with Holden's circumstances. At that time, I was 16 years old.

Anyway, Salinger's works are indeed strange, yet they are also great. I really need to take the time to reread all of his works. By doing so, I hope to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complex characters and unique storylines that he has created. Maybe on this second reading, I will be able to remember more clearly the essence of the Glass family stories and discover new aspects that I missed before.

This piece of writing is a profound exploration of the author's thoughts and feelings after rereading J.D. Salinger's works, especially those related to the Glass family. The author reflects on the significance of Room 307, the complex relationships within the Glass family, and the impact of Seymour's actions and poetry.

The author initially describes their experience of going to the public library after work to read, finding it a way to be around others while still maintaining a sense of solitude. They then discuss their encounter with Salinger's "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters & Seymour: An Introduction," which they hadn't read since their teenage years. The author is struck by the sense of sadness and displacement they feel from the Glass family, particularly in relation to Seymour's suicide.

The author also reflects on the themes of authenticity, positional thinking, and the fear of not being seen. They mention Seymour's haiku poems and the idea that he could meet people as himself as poetry, as well as the incident where he threw a rock at a girl, leaving her with nine stitches. The author wonders what would have happened if the Glass family didn't have the expectations and ceilings that they did, and hopes that Buddy meant it when he said he wanted to find new people to hear from.

Overall, the author's writing is a deeply personal and thought-provoking meditation on the power of literature, the complexity of human relationships, and the search for meaning and connection in life.

"This is too grand to be said (so I’m just the man to say it), but I can’t be my brother’s brother for nothing, and I know – not always, but I know – there is no single thing I do that is more important than going into that awful Room 307. There isn’t one girl in there, including the Terrible Miss Zabel, who is not as much my sister as Boo Boo or Franny. They may shine with the misinformation of the ages, but they shine. This thought manages to stun me: There’s no place I’d really rather got right now than into Room 307. Seymour once said that all we do our whole lives is go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next. Is he never wrong?
Just go to bed, now. Quickly. Quickly and slowly.”

The author's description of their visit to the library and their encounter with Salinger's work sets the stage for their exploration of the Glass family. They describe the sense of social anxiety that leads them to the library, as well as the comfort they find in reading. This creates a relatable and engaging opening that draws the reader in and makes them want to learn more about the author's thoughts and feelings.

The author's reflections on the Glass family are both poignant and insightful. They discuss the various characters and their relationships, highlighting the themes of love, loss, and displacement. The mention of Seymour's suicide adds a layer of tragedy to the story, and the author's speculation about what might have happened if the family didn't have the expectations and ceilings that they did is thought-provoking.

The author's exploration of the themes of authenticity and positional thinking is also interesting. They discuss how Seymour's poetry and actions are a reflection of his authenticity, and how the Glass family's position within society and their own family dynamic shapes their experiences. The author's own feelings of inadequacy and the fear of not being seen are also explored, adding a personal touch to the piece.

Overall, this piece of writing is a well-written and engaging exploration of the author's thoughts and feelings after rereading Salinger's works. The author's use of vivid language and personal anecdotes makes the piece relatable and engaging, while their exploration of complex themes such as love, loss, authenticity, and positional thinking adds depth and meaning. It is a thought-provoking and moving piece that will resonate with readers who have also been touched by Salinger's work.

I firmly believe that one can embark on a literary journey that leads backwards from the works of P. Roth to the early days of Beckett by traversing through this remarkable little masterpiece from the middle of the last century.

This story holds a special place in my heart. It has a certain charm and allure that draws me in and keeps me engaged.

The way the author weaves the narrative, the vivid descriptions, and the complex characters make it a truly captivating read.

It's as if this story serves as a bridge, connecting different eras and styles of literature.

By delving into it, we can gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of literary techniques and themes.

I find myself constantly returning to this story, uncovering new details and interpretations each time.

It's a testament to the power of great literature to withstand the test of time and continue to resonate with readers.

I highly recommend this little masterpiece to anyone with a love for literature and a desire to explore the rich tapestry of literary history.

A fine reading comes to you spontaneously...

To not betray an old habit of the Glass brothers, if a comment escapes you, where do you go to write it?

On the bathroom mirror, like Boo Boo, with a damp piece of soap.

:) What is written on the mirror?

Well, it's not easy to write with a piece of soap. Anyway, this is how it seems to me.

This is one of those books with exceptional qualities of pleasantness, melancholy, and memorability (even if the handwriting in certain points is almost indecipherable and there is a certain margin of interpretation).

4/5 stars!

Overall, this short piece presents an interesting scenario. The idea of writing on the bathroom mirror with a damp piece of soap adds a touch of quirkiness. The description of the book as having qualities like pleasantness, melancholy, and memorability makes it sound quite appealing. However, the mention of the almost indecipherable handwriting and the margin of interpretation gives a hint that the reading experience might not be entirely straightforward. The 4/5 star rating indicates that despite some challenges, the book still manages to make a positive impression. It leaves the reader curious to know more about this unique book and the thoughts that led to its description on the bathroom mirror.

I can never truly determine what makes a book or an author an immortal classic. For a while, I thought I knew, but it's clear that I don't. However, luckily enough, I do know if I like a book, and almost always, why.

I read Salinger's Franny and Zooey when I was 16 and was extremely compelled. I only understood an estimated 35% of the reason why I loved it so much. I thought I loved it because it dealt with the struggles of the terrible ego associated with making art, and that was a significant reason, but really it was only a small part of it.

Human beings are so complex - and consequently, have a very high survival rate as a species - because there are so many incredible, both apparent and very unapparent, reasons as to why they are who they are and why they behave as such. Nature and nurture, coincidence, luck, eating habits, everything really. And when two very powerful influences overlap, such as a reclusive disposition and a simultaneous huge desire to love one's fellow man, they can greatly shape a person's outlook on life. And if that person were to honestly and passionately write about his or her huge overlapping influences, he or she could perhaps create an immortal classic, or, more certainly, a book I would like.

The specific, very strong bonds that the Glass family seems to have with each other, combined with what generally seemed to me as an underlying hatred towards most of the well-adjusted, job and wife-having, average joes, was very relatable, as I'm sure it is to most people, maybe even especially to the well-adjusted, job and wife-having, average joes.

But this specific book was different from Franny and Zooey and A Perfect Day for Bananafish, especially Seymour: An Introduction.

For one thing, Buddy Glass seems to admire his brother in a rather unhealthy way. You start to think that maybe his brother really was fantastically brilliant, until you realize that most of his high praise is not praise at all but a personal admiration for only above-average qualities, not very brilliant ones.

And so you start to realize, and this becomes especially easy if you know what it's like firsthand, that his admiration is a byproduct of having an older brother (already in a very high rank) who happens to also be your best friend and a thing of beauty. Certain words get so tired. This book was very 'human,' very 'personal.' God, even 'tired' is way too weak a word.

Buddy - Salinger - whoever wrote this, wrote what he very badly wanted to write, which naturally was not what most people want to read. He kept commenting on his own work, like through the process of reading, you could see him in the process of writing. I thought that made him very likable (and he is not very likable, which made me like him?).

The whole Glass family is influenced by the teachings of Buddhism and Asian philosophy, and they strangely incorporate it into the lifestyle of 1920 - 50s New York.

Buddy and Seymour especially seem to be so very taken by Christ and Buddha. And I really think that on some level, Buddy believes that Seymour is their successor. But on a very, much less apparent level, a much more quiet nature.

Someone once told me that whenever I talk about a book, it really seems like I haven't read it. And maybe they're just assholes, or maybe I misinterpret everything. But most likely it is the nature of books to bend.

And Salinger is always so beautifully honest. I can't help but feel blessed that he let his ego take over a few times.

My favorite part of the whole book was when Buddy talked about Seymour's poetry that he wanted to publish. He described a few poems but did not want to actually write them down. He talked about a specific poem that I thought was very beautiful about a religious man who is on his deathbed and is surrounded by chanting priests, and you get the feeling that he wished that they could be quiet so he could hear what the washing lady outside is saying about his neighbor's laundry.

This book is composed of two novellas penned by Salinger during the 1950s.

"Raise High the Roof Beam" is a truly well-written narrative, boasting a captivating plot and outstanding character development.

The second novella, titled "Seymour: An Introduction," is, however, completely incomprehensible to me. It reads like a continuous stream of consciousness that extends for more than 100 pages without any apparent purpose.

When I perused reviews from the 1950s, I discovered that many of them had similar remarks.

All of this serves to illustrate to me, once again, that even world-class writers have their off moments.

It is a reminder that no one is infallible, not even those who are widely regarded as literary greats.

Despite the flaws in "Seymour: An Introduction," the overall quality of the book is still somewhat salvaged by the excellence of "Raise High the Roof Beam."

Nonetheless, it is an interesting example of how even the most talented writers can produce works that divide opinions.

If we were to reflect on who our favorite writer is, probably we would just be limited to an awkward silence. So many names, so many books, so many characters piled up in our heads as readers. And yet. And yet. And yet, my dear friends. If, like me now, you found yourselves intact - not only intact but also, so to speak, aflame - after reading the most unbearable, verbose and extraordinarily prolix mess that has ever been written (for the less awake: Seymour, An Introduction), then, you would have no doubt at all about who is the writer of your confused (and yet convinced) heart. And it is that nutcase J.D. Salinger. Unfortunately. Who has died. And you will never, ever be able to go and shake his hand. Fortunately. Because a) most likely he would have given you a beating on the teeth b) from the just-read pages he would seem like exactly the kind of person to stay away from.

Salinger's works are often filled with complex and idiosyncratic characters, which can be both captivating and off-putting. His writing style is unique, with long and convoluted sentences that require careful attention. Despite the challenges, his books have had a profound impact on many readers, who find in them a reflection of their own inner turmoil and search for meaning.

Although Salinger is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his works. They continue to be studied, analyzed, and debated, and will no doubt continue to inspire future generations of readers and writers. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying the importance of J.D. Salinger in the history of literature.

Human beings are geniuses. They deserve that long-planned text which I will, hopefully, write soon. The potential within each person is truly remarkable. We have the ability to create, innovate, and imagine. Our minds are like vast universes, filled with endless possibilities. We can dream big and then work hard to turn those dreams into reality. Whether it's in the fields of science, art, literature, or any other area, humans have shown time and again that they are capable of achieving great things. And this long-planned text that I am looking forward to writing is just one small example of the amazing things that we can do.

People, Selindžer remains a mystery to me :)

There is something in his works that intrigues me and, I don't know why, makes them seem appealing to me, without the possibility of me justifying this appeal.

Certain sentences (especially in the second part) have literally confused me (that when you don't remember the beginning and can't get to the end no matter what), but I can't say that the writer himself or his opus annoys me :)

I think this is definitely a very personal writing, an opening of the soul, a confession... and no matter how much literary criticism and scholars in that field tried to evaluate it, who can surely say what the writer wanted to say? Who can uncover the flow of his thoughts..? I can't :)... Let's say that in some way he reminds me of Josa - his works are also sometimes incomprehensible to me, but I wholeheartedly embrace them. What is certain and what characterizes both of them is the fact that they were far ahead of their time... this younger one has touched on Zen Buddhism, spirituality, Hinduism... which makes him an even cooler type for me :)

Well, while drinking a cold beer with Joan Baez, before the evening yoga hour, the only superfluous thing I can say (with a theatrical raising of the glass) is "Long live, Jerome!"

Sia Franny e Zooey sia Alzate l'architrave carpentieri e Seymour. Introduzione sono libri ricchi di una straordinaria umanità. Nella famiglia Glass, “il sostenersi a vicenda” è fondamentale, grazie all'intenso legame che unisce i fratelli. Questa magnifica umanità emerge grazie alla bravura di Salinger nel caratterizzare personaggi che sembrano davvero esistenti.

In In alzate l'architrave carpentieri, Buddy partecipa al matrimonio di Seymour, ma quest'ultimo non compare all'altare, lasciando la sposa in lacrime. Da questa situazione derivano eventi davvero notevoli. È proprio nella caratterizzazione delle persone presenti alla cerimonia che si nota la grande capacità dell'autore di creare figure realistiche.

In Seymour. Introduzione, Buddy, il secondogenito dei Glass e alter ego di Salinger, diventa uno scrittore famoso, ma nonostante la fama, decide di isolarsi in un bosco. Nella seconda parte del libro, Buddy decide di dedicare un libro a Seymour, il primogenito, un personaggio enigmatico che dopo sei anni dal matrimonio si è suicidato.

In queste pagine, finalmente si scopre qualcosa di più sul primogenito, una delle figure più influenti dei Glass, descritto dal fratello come difficile da definire. È un uomo estremamente intelligente, che bilanciava la sua precoce voglia di conoscenza con una personalità semplice e sempre alla ricerca di divertimento. Tuttavia, è molto difficile descrivere questo personaggio. Ad esempio, Buddy lo chiama un uomo che “saprebbe farti commuovere anche soltanto muovendo le orecchie se lo volesse”. Personalmente, credo che la definizione più appropriata per Seymour sia quella nella seconda parte del libro: “il suo personaggio non è tale da essere inquadrato in nessuna forma narrativa istituzionalizzata che io conosca, ed è inconcepibile che scrivendo, qualcuno riesca ad esaurire i complessi aspetti della sua personalità in un'istantanea e nemmeno in una serie di pose, mensili o annuali”.

Sono due racconti molto diversi, ma entrambi non mi hanno deluso. Sono l'opera inconfondibile di un genio. Secondo me, in entrambi i romanzi sulla famiglia Glass, Salinger ha raggiunto uno dei tanti apici che la scrittura può offrire. Non voglio dilungarmi troppo perché nell'epigrafe l'autore ha inserito una dedica speciale al lettore: “Se in tutto il mondo è rimasto ancora un lettore che legga per il gusto di leggere - o comunque che dopo aver letto se ne vada per i fatti suoi - gli chiedo o le chiedo, con indicibile affetto e gratitudine, di dividere la dedica di questo libro in quattro parti con mia moglie e i miei bambini”. Forse è davvero meglio che io me ne vada per i fatti miei.