Franny and Zooey

Spoiler Alert: Do not lose sight of the good in humanity

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A thought-provoking and deeply insightful read, I am not exaggerating when I say that Franny and Zooey is likely to affect me for the rest of my life. Recommended to me by a family friend (upon hearing I was a big Salinger fan), I was truly blown away by this complex yet relatable story. The novel follows the lives of Franny and Zooey Glass, brother and sister who are a part of a famously prodigious family. Having been a part of a radio show for exceptionally bright children, in their late-adolescence they eventually find themselves to be burnt out -- no longer able to find joy in learning. When Franny comes home from a semester at university, which she describes as particularly grueling, she falls into a slow madness -- refusing to eat, drink, or even to speak much. As Zooey must help his sister and restore her tarnished faith in mankind, the two share many interesting, deeply philosophical conversations about love, loss, and the true meaning of life. Although the novel follows two deeply scarred and disillusioned characters, it manages to deliver an overall optimistic message, perhaps the most important message there is. The Glass siblings were very compelling protagonists, complementing one another perfectly. Franny is a precocious, observant young woman, who has recently found herself wary of all people -- perhaps facing the downside of her superior intelligence. Zooey, a bit older, is an aspiring actor who keeps to himself and lives with his well-meaning but ignorant mother. The two of them are the only ones with any hope of helping one another.

I was especially drawn in to this story by its beginning scene, in which Franny goes on a date with a fellow Ivy-League student. As he turns out to be an utter fake and deeply arrogant, I found myself almost as repulsed as Franny -- who eventually even gets physically sick. While this scene is meant to reflect her revulsion for all people, I found it quite amusing and even reason enough to empathize with Franny. The ultimate takeaway she learns with the help of Zooey is as meaningful as it is applicable to real life; I believe everyone should hear it. While I can't say that this book was necessarily easy to get through, complete with a lot of ornate language and complicated philosophical ideas, it was most certainly worth it. With interesting things to say about education, religion, and the way we see one another, this is one of the best stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. In spite of every hardship and every shortcoming of man, life is worth living -- one simply needs to be reminded from time to time.

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Favorite Quotes: “I'm sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet somebody I could respect.” ~~ “I'm sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody.” ~~ “And I can't be running back and fourth forever between grief and high delight.” ~~ “I don't know what good it is to know so much and be smart as whips and all if it doesn't make you happy.” ~~ “You're lucky if you get time to sneeze in this goddam phenomenal world.” ~~ “Give me an honest con man any day.” ~~ “[...] don't you know who that Fat Lady really is? ... Ah, buddy. Ah, buddy. It's Christ Himself. Christ Himself, buddy.”