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Nine Stories by: J. D. Salinger

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Rating: - fabulous

This is one of the few books I have ever not been able to tear away from. The endings are abrupt and thought provoking. The characters seemed complex and interesting however I could tell by certain situations and dialogue that there were a lot of Holden Caulfield's in it. I was, however, very touched and thought a lot about the book some time after reading it. The writing, as always it superb and the characters are three dimensional. Personally I like it but it is important to remember the time and settings of the book and Salinger's writing style. I thought that all of the stories were neither better nor worse than the next; they were just different. They showed different perspectives on life and how one views it. Even though Salinger may not have expereinced everything he worte about, it made me feel as if he had, or even as if I were there. If a writer can captivate a situation or feeling as well as that, you know he must be good. This book is just that, except maybe I could go so far as to say it's fabulous.

Rating: - A wonderful story

When they ask for a review, I never know what to write. 'Nine Stories' is the second Salinger book I've ever read, and, as always, I'm captivated by his writing style and ability to create characters I've seen when looking in the mirror, or glancing around a crowded area. The greatest tradgedy of Salinger is not found in his stories of depression, mental illness, or quiet desperation. The great tradgedy is that he only wrote four books. I like 'Nine Stories' due to it's crazy, 3-dimensional characters, and the insanity of the plots like 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' and 'The Laughing Man'. 'DePalmer Smith's Blue Period' is the best character study I've seen in any book in the English language. The only complaint I have is that Salinger settles into a repetitive procedure of bringing all his characters to life in the same way. I might have liked to read one story in this book that starred a character completely unlike the others. Someone said in an earlier review that 'there is a Holden inside each of these people.' This is why I did not give the book a perfect 10. While it is not boring, I think Salinger could have done more given his tremendous writing powers. Overall, however, this is a not-to-be-missed book.

Rating: - Just some damn good reading

Nine Stories is simply excellent, entertaining, thought-provoking reading. Although there were a couple that I considered to be below average (Blue Period, Down at the Dinghy), Salinger's brilliance in his others made up for them. (Particularly in Teddy, Bananafish, and Esme).

Rating: - Powerfu and moving, makes you glad to be the reader

This book takes a very eccentric look into the lives of many different people. The surrealistic "The Laughing Man" looks at the toll human growth takes from your life. The bus driver, through telling the story, realizes he is no longer a child, and reluctently must realize this. "A Perfect Day ffor Bananafish" is one that must be read and read again to catch the answers to why. Characters' mannerisms clue the reader into these answers. Salinger, in these stories, really has captured the human heart and mankind in a natural and personal way. A real book!!

Rating: - EXCELLENT

i thought this book was one of the best i've ever read. However, the first several stories are the best in the book. towards the end, the stories aren't that good. however the whole book has a good sense of realism, and gives the feeling of someone telling you everything. its not like jane austen or something, where you have to constantly concentrate and re-read. you have to re-read this book several times too, but not because you dont understand- but to catch the deeper meanings.

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