Whenever most people think of J.D. Salinger, a sea of red flags come to mind. The Catcher in the Rye’s Holden Caulfield has certainly cemented that image into most of our heads, with his cynical self-pitying personality. Whether it is on Goodreads reviews, or on BookTok, Salinger has become synonymous with the ‘edgy’, ‘male manipulator’ subculture that has made waves online over the last few years.
Now don’t get me wrong, Holden Caulfield can be absolutely insufferable; at times, he is the very definition of a stuck-up teenager with a severely overinflated ego. However, Salinger’s writer’s reputation as a whole does not deserve to be tainted, due to one unlikeable character. This is where Franny and Zooey comes in; a representation of the author in a more mature and reflective manner. And a novel which is, without question, absolutely worth reading.
What is the book about?
Franny and Zooey are both siblings in the Glass family, and were child stars on a US radio show. The book revolves around the suicide of their eldest brother and follows the siblings’ continuing journey dealing with his death and the other problems around them. Franny tries to find purpose by seeking some sort of solace in religion. Zooey puts on a headstrong bravado, in order to keep his vulnerable but kind nature from being exposed to the masses.
The novel begins with Franny having a nervous breakdown at a lunch with her boyfriend, after she’s just realised the world of acting and stardom isn’t nearly as kindhearted as she thought it would be. To put things lightly, this absolutely ruins her for the vast majority of the book. Cut to Zooey, and you’re introduced to an arrogant young man, possessing some similar qualities to Holden that I mentioned earlier. However, as the book progresses, we see more and more of Zooey’s caring and kind nature emerge from its shell, in order for him to help his sister recover from her breakdown and make her feel better again.
What does this actually mean though?
This change in dynamic seems to reflect Salinger’s change as a writer over the years; his distinct change to a recluse after the success of The Catcher in the Rye supports this. From The Catcher in the Rye to Franny and Zooey, it’s almost as if both books are written by two different authors–- the development of the character of Zooey is the personification of this. I like to imagine this book as message between both of these versions of the author; the arrogant and uncaring manner in which Zooey started is how Salinger writes the The Catcher in the Rye, whereas the more reflective and pensive version that Zooey becomes is how Salinger himself is during the writing of this novel.
This creates more depth to Salinger as an author, and why I think it’s worth shining a light on this text. J.D. Salinger is not solely an author for egotistical young men; his writings open doors to so many other themes, that to write his books off as falling into the ‘male-manipulator-core’ category is grossly unfair.
So, go on, give Salinger another chance. You may love this book, you may hate it. But I can almost guarantee that you will come away from it with a whole new perspective of the author in mind. I hope that Franny and Zooey can leave such a lasting impression with you, as it truly has with myself.
