Nine Stories

A truly beautiful collection of stories from an author who seems to fully grasp the sadness of mankind, this book is utterly remarkable. In order to reflect on this work fully, I am going to break it down into reviews for each of the nine stories -- all unique, heartbreaking, and painfully human.

~ A Perfect Day for a Bananafish ~

Spoiler Alert #1: You never know how much someone is hurting.

A strikingly visceral short story, A Perfect Day for a Bananafish chronicles the vacation of Seymour Glass and his increasingly distant wife. As the two struggle to relate with one another and the divide between them grows larger, Seymour seeks solace on the beach, ultimately making a young friend. After the two share a beautiful day in paradise, basking in the sun and wading in the shallow waters, Seymour must ultimately come back to reality -- a place that hasn't always been kind to him. Shocking and tragic, but also interesting and charming, this was a beautiful tale about the pain one hides away and the world we each must make for ourselves. It is additionally interesting how this story ties into to Salinger's novel Franny and Zooey. I enjoyed making the connection concerning the Glass family.

~ Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut ~

Spoiler Alert #2: People hurt people.

A truly stunning short story, complete with striking dialogue, and complex characters, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut managed to say so much without really saying anything at all. With its true power lying in the subtext, the story was a beautiful and heartbreaking homage to unrequited love and the inability of humans to see each other for what we truly are. On a stormy night, Eloise is visited by her college roommate Mary Jane. As the two recount stories of their past, they ultimately are struck by the breadth of their own unhappiness, the quantity of their broken dreams. With perhaps an underlying critique of suburbia and a strong theme of alienation that lies in domesticity, this story is precise and intentional. I not only was struck by the female characters, but also reminded to never take any time in my life for granted -- to make sure I never look back and long for something I can never truly have. Perhaps, however, to some extent, this is ultimately inevitable.

~Just Before War with the Eskimos~

Spoiler Alert #3: You never know another's sacrifices.

If I'm being honest, this beautifully written story perplexed me greatly. While I deeply enjoyed it, I found it difficult to derive meaning from -- although perhaps, this is its very intention. After an argument over money, Ginnie visits her friend Selena in hopes of receiving a due payment. While at her house, Ginnie meets Selena's brother, an irreverent young man who seems to have a lot to say about everything. As she begins to get to know Franklin and the life of a friend it turns out she never really knew, she makes an important realization that ultimately dictates her actions in the final scene. Delightful and complex, I took many small messages away from this story, among them: people are interesting when you give them a chance, you never really know what's going on, there are so many things bigger than oneself, and never refuse a chicken sandwich. This story will likely stay in my mind for ages.

~The Laughing Man~

Spoiler Alert #4: Love kills.

The Laughing Man was a beautifully layered and complex story. As the narrator recounts his formative years spent in Boy Scouts, he introduces readers to his larger than life, deeply idolized group leader -- a grand story-teller that had a tremendous impact on the speaker's life. Throughout his memories, the young boys learn what it means to be men, and are inspired by their leader's tale of the heroic "Laughing Man." Ultimately however, they must learn a difficult lesson: everything must come to an end. As they realize that their scout leader is not untouchable, and in fact has troubles of his own, they must grapple with their own loss of innocence -- say goodbye to youth. A touching and bittersweet story about heartbreak and coming of age, The Laughing Man seems to have universal appeal.

~Down at the Dinghy~

Spoiler Alert #5: A mother's love can command oceans.

Perhaps the most optimistic story in this novel, Down at the Dinghy is a life-affirming and spiritual story about a mother's love for her son and the importance of reaching out to others. After facing some hardships, young Lionel, a mere four years old, runs away from home. As his house servants express worry as to his emotional state, his mother Boo-Boo goes looking for him, ultimately finding him and trying in earnest, to reason with him. Upon finding her son distraught and lonely, she attempts to teach him grand truths in the simplest of terms -- to remind him that no one can handle pain all on their own. A deeply comforting a heartfelt tale, the story also had some religious aspects, likely influenced by Salinger's own background of being half Jewish. Written after World War II (in which Salinger served), the story seems to relate a restored faith in the good of mankind, the perseverance of love in even the darkest of times.

~For Esme -- with Love and Squalor~

Spoiler Alert #6: People help people.

A profound and moving story, For Esme -- with Love and Squalor is set against the backdrop of World War II era Europe. When a wayward soldier stumbles into a church he is struck by a young singer; Later, the same young singer approaches him in a cafe. She is precocious and wise beyond her years -- an immediate friendship is struck. Years in the future, as the soldier, known now only as "Sergeant X" finds himself on the brink of insanity, it is one small act of kindness from a stranger that will bring him back to living. I was struck not only by the multifaceted characters but also by the full-circle nature in which the story was told. A truly well-written tale about the importance of connection and compassion, this story highlights how small the world truly is, and how important our actions can be.

~Pretty Mouth and Green my Eyes~

Spoiler Alert #7: No one belongs to anyone.

An interesting testament to the flaws of mankind, and the temptations of lust, this story was complex. On the evening after a dinner party, a distraught Arthur calls his friend Lee; Arthur is upset as his wife has gone missing. As Arthur goes on and on, relating how unhappy he is in his marriage, Lee listens without much to say -- unbeknownst to Arthur, a beautiful woman is sitting by his side. The story takes on many interesting topics that I can't say are typically found in most books I have read. The tale seems to have a complicated attitude towards issues such as marriage, fidelity, monogamy, and freedom. While plot is not necessarily applicable in this story, the author compensates for this through striking dialogue.

~De-Daumier Smith's Blue Period~

Spoiler Alert #8: Art is the world's most universal religion.

This short story is a beautiful love letter to art and the power it holds; through this story is seems that art is synonymous with connection and faith. John Smith, the alienated and mysterious narrator, decides to work at an art school in order to make his step-father proud. Despite being an art-lover, his employment turns out to be a bit different than imagined, and he finds himself more alone than ever. All of this changes when he meets a new student through letter correspondence. As he encourages his talented student to break the boundaries of what is expected of her and to realize her full potential, he begins to reflect heavily on life and religion. While he never meets a single student in person, they each, in someway, help the protagonist on his own spiritual journey -- ultimately finding his true purpose in his art. This story is a complex and ambitious tale, deeply insightful and touching.

~Teddy~

Spoiler Alert #9: We are merely a small piece of a universe that can never be fully understood.

Memorable and deeply thought-provoking, Teddy is perhaps the most riveting and ambiguous story I have ever read.

Haunting and memorable, the story tells the tale of young Teddy, an oddity in the academic world who is traveling with his family in order to be interviewed by many top scholars and professors. Teddy seems to see the world in a completely different light, at quite a young age he has a deep capacity for philosophical thinking and spiritual enlightenment. Constantly speaking about otherworldly, complicated themes, Teddy shares his insights with a passenger of the cruise he and his family are one. As he is interviewed he shares his thoughts with the audience -- relating basic concepts of Vedanta reincarnation and religious theory. Likely to make readers question everything they know, and inspire them to delve into famous works of philosophy, the story is as striking as it is controversial. Ending with a bang, Teddy is likely to never leave my mind.

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Favorite Quotes: "The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.”~~““If I were God, I certainly wouldn't want people to love me sentimentally. It's too unreliable.”~~"I mean they don't seem able to love us just the way we are. They don't seem able to love us unless they can keep changing us a little bit. They love their reasons for loving us almost as much as they love us, and most of the time more.” ~~"Fathers and teachers, I ponder, 'What is Hell?' I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.” ~~ “I've never seen such a bunch of apple-eaters.”