Rating: 
Summary: Speeding toward a satisfying destination
Review: I read this aloud with my husband and enjoyed the funny banter and the arguments and blistering speech. But the end was really the beauty of the book. Before that, I felt a little like I was just speeding along confused about the destination...I didn't think it was as compelling as "Catcher in the Rye," though there were many similarities that I liked and was drawn to: The relationship between the sister (Franny) and the brother (Zooey) was similar to that between Holden and Phoebe Caulfield, and, of course, the colloquial tone and the means of telling most of the story either through talking or the conceit of talking to the reader was so enjoyable, particularly read aloud. We took a while to get through it though, due to travel schedules, etc., and I think that letting it sit was a mistake; I think it lost some of its intensity because it wasn't read quickly. While reading it aloud was really fun, I think it would be equally enjoyable to hole-up with it for a day or weekend and get the whole effect of the conversations quickly following on one another in "real time," so to speak. That said, I thought it was really beautiful at the end, and I kind of got a little catch in my throat as I read the conclusion. Zooey (rhymes with Louie, so I've been told) really loves his sister dearly and her crisis of faith is a crisis for him, too. Its resolution is one of the precious moments when you have a small insight into being really loved. Experiencing that kind of familial closeness was really enriching, I thought. The way Salinger brings it together was quite poetic and moving. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Salinger's world rocks.
Review: As I read this book, I tried to savor Salinger's writing style as I did when I read Catcher in the Rye.(even if it was over 10 yrs ago I still recall its greatness.) The writing style of Salinger is what makes this book so great. It is short, but the Glass family is certainly very unique, and from the book I could envision every one of them. I loved Zooey in this book. He is basically a genius, and evenmore a genius who knows his faults,(which I believe is the best kind of person)even at the age of 25. The story can relate to many young persons' years of confusion. It does overexemplify this confusion by way of Franny leaning toward slightly fanatical religious views. It was just such a joy to read, but I do not think it is for everyone. You must have an open mind for this book, and if you liked Catcher in the Rye, I am sure you will like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly singular
Review: How is it possible to transform seemingly mundane conversations and goings-on into provocatively compelling dialogue and enticingly iridescent prose with masterful ability? Read Franny & Zooey and find out. Two brooding, yet illuminating short stories published in The New Yorker 2 years apart, Franny & Zooey exists as a book with two inseparably joined stories on one level; conversely they, almost without exception, also exist as two patently disparate short stories unique unto themselves. Although written in 3rd person, the amount of not so infrequent profound introspection that emanates from the acutely neurotic Franny & Zooey leaves one in awe of Salinger's unimpeachable acumen for fiction. For those in doubt, just read the first page and witness Salinger's penchant for jaw-dropping prose as he somehow magically transmogrifies a rather uneventful setting into an engrossingly captivating one. Franny is acutely plagued by an insufferable disillusionment in a name-dropping pedantic collegiate environment that has sapped her passion for college and the cookie cutter lifestyle that invariably will accompany it soon after. Zooey's unremitting, if not humorous, cynicism and his biting sardonic commentary on his overbearing mother, Franny's esoteric religious beliefs, and on society in general make a perfect yin for Franny's yang. "Sometimes I think that knowledge-when it's knowledge for knowledge's sake, anyway-is the worst of all."
- Franny
Rating:
Summary: Salinger's Best Work
Review: However unfortunate it is that this is Mr. Salinger's last published work is irrelevant. What follows after the title page is an onslaught of character dialogue that would be served an injustice if described as something other than "pure genius". It is astounding how Salinger took and formed these amazing beings out of pure literary thought. Where other authors falter at creating characters that are conceivably from the same mindset, the uniqueness of the Glass familys' personalities give evidence to the brilliance this man portrayed in novel form. The flow of the story is perfect, with the Franny section you receive and apply emotions to this character that pour out uncontrollably upon reading the Zooey section. The feeling this book leaves the reader with seems almost planned by Salinger, a possible hint at the fact that this was going to be the last book disclosed to the public. Despite all the negative press he has received for being somewhat of a hermit and ogre, J. D. Salinger's writing should be a staple in the lives of every adolescent youth. The Glass family a model for an idealistic belief system in American society and families today. However personal he has kept his feelings from the end of this book, there is no doubting that this man has mastered his craft.
Rating:
Summary: Salinger Shines On
Review: This book was given to me by a friend and I can't thank her enough for the gift it has been! I go back to Franny & Zooey time and again for a gentle reminder when I've lost track of the meaning of life...so I'm saddened to read things like "average", "no meaning", "waste of time", and "phony" in these reviews. It's nearly enough to make one contemplate poking a freshly sharpened #2 pencil RIGHT into her eyeball. And I just might do that...for the fat lady, of course. Granted, this book is full of seemingly unrelated vignettes, the major points can appear subtle at first glance, and Salinger invites the reader to come peek down some shadowy avenues with him along the way, so it's easy to get sidetracked or lose your focus. I'm convinced, though, that his writing style is intended to mirror the way Zooey's message to Franny is revealed..slowly and gently, so that she (and the readers) can grasp it for herself (ourselves). ! Try reading this book twice, even if you think you've "gotten" it the first time around. Salinger's genius virtually dances in every line of every page, if you only stick around long enough to see it. This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly - it illustrates (and in one line, no less) everything that lies at the core of all the world's religions. That's no small accomplishment.
Rating:
Summary: A good afternoon read
Review: Salinger is the master of irreverent prose, and he uses that mastery perfect use in this book, a study on the nature of ego, knowledge, "establishment" (imagine that in a Salinger book?!), and religious piety, to name a few of the ideas and themes that get tossed around. The setting and plot are simple: Salinger's Glass family returns, and we're given the dialog of three conversations and the entire contents of two letters -- that's it. But in that short space (and my edition of the book is only about 130 pages), Salinger manages to pack more than many writers can get into a book three times the size. He shows instead of telling. This is a must of those who like Salinger's earlier work, and is more compelling for me than "Catcher."
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly singular
Review: How is it possible to transform seemingly mundane conversations and goings-on into provocatively compelling dialogue and enticingly iridescent prose with masterful ability? Read Franny & Zooey and find out. Two brooding, yet illuminating short stories published in The New Yorker 2 years apart, Franny & Zooey exists as a book with two inseparably joined stories on one level; conversely they, almost without exception, also exist as two patently disparate short stories unique unto themselves. Although written in 3rd person, the amount of not so infrequent profound introspection that emanates from the acutely neurotic Franny & Zooey leaves one in awe of Salinger's unimpeachable acumen for fiction. For those in doubt, just read the first page and witness Salinger's penchant for jaw-dropping prose as he somehow magically transmogrifies a rather uneventful setting into an engrossingly captivating one. Franny is acutely plagued by an insufferable disillusionment in a name-dropping pedantic collegiate environment that has sapped her passion for college and the cookie cutter lifestyle that invariably will accompany it soon after. Zooey's unremitting, if not humorous, cynicism and his biting sardonic commentary on his overbearing mother, Franny's esoteric religious beliefs, and on society in general make a perfect yin for Franny's yang. "Sometimes I think that knowledge-when it's knowledge for knowledge's sake, anyway-is the worst of all."
- Franny
Rating:
Summary: Transcendent message at the end
Review: J. D. Salinger has a knack about puzzling his readers to the very end of the book and redeems himself with transcendent concluding remarks. "Franny and Zooey" does not possess much surface appeal as the more known "The Catcher in the Rye". The book does not really follow a conventional plot and is thus deprived of any suspense and climax. It is rather a crafted delineation of human emotions, nuances and layers of the relationships between adult siblings. Salinger, putting his arguments in the mouth of Franny and her brother Zooey, addresses the disparities between Christianity and Buddhism and the convergence of Eastern and Western thoughts. Franny, 20, the youngest of the Glass children, is about to drop out from college as she feels sick of pedants and conceited egos. She desires to be spiritual and to pray incessantly to Jesus whom she later on out of frustration deserts for Buddhism. Franny experiences a spiritual crisis that leads to her nervous breakdown. She feels just as shallow and hypocritical as the rest of humanity. Zooey, 25, a handsome aspiring actor, is an underachiever in the standard of the Glass family. His eldest brother Seymour had a doctoral degree but committed suicide during his vacation in Florida. His next elder brother Buddy cajoles him to obtain a doctoral degree just so he has something to fall back to if the show business doesn't work out. In helping Franny to snap out of her crisis, Zooey's bitterness toward his elder brothers inevitably surfaces that out of jaundice he expressions his feeling like being haunted by a house-full of ghost and half-dead ghost (since Buddy follows Seymour's model but he doesn't commit suicide). At various points of the book am I stuck with doubts and unanswered questions regarding Franny's sufferings. To say the least even though the book touches upon some religious overtones but the core of which revolves around the idea of human ego, detachment, harmony and temperance. The novel affords a snapshot of how elder adult siblings can significantly influence their younger siblings at an early stage and formulate their mind. Readers shall catch a glimpse of the clash between old-schooled values and novel insights of the younger generation within a family. 2004 (7)
Rating:
Summary: Franny and Zooey Rocks (Anthony R )
Review: The book Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger is made up of two fictional stories about a brother and a sister, from the Glass Family, who are struggling with their perspectives on life and religion. The two stories connect with each other, and Salinger has a couple of books that deal with characters from this family. Franny is a young lady who is having a hard time relating to any of her teachers or peers at her college and took up reading a book about the journey of a prophet to find understanding or enlightenment. And her brother Zooey, who is a good looking actor in his early twenties; he is trying to help her get over herself but is pretty stubborn and is doing this the wrong way. I would say that if you are looking for a book with suspense and lots of action this wouldn't be the best book for you to read. It is not a simple story but there is no climax. Most of the book is giving the reader an in depth description of the characters and their emotions; which is something Salinger does in his stories a lot and he does it very well. I found the book to be very enlightening, not because it is a religious story, but because it gives you a perspective on life and human behavior. Anyone who has read some of J.D. Salinger's work and enjoys his writing should consider reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Fat Lady Is Jesus
Review: There's a remarkable thing about everything Salinger wrote: his works can be analyzed, broken down, de-symbolized, but they will still resonate with us on some level that makes no sense. Take this book, Franny and Zooey as an example. One of the most transcendent passages of all time is in the last couple of pages in this book, and at the very end, it is revealed to us that not only must we do everything for the Fat Lady, who most likely has cancer and blasts the radio all day, every single person is the Fat Lady. Anybody we hate, love, despise, admire- they are the Fat Lady. And the Fat Lady is Jesus.
I don't know; how can you explain Salinger? All I can tell you is that this book will change, in a tiny, inscrutable way, how you see the world. It will open your eyes to things you didn't know existed. You have to read this book. It is, at its most fundamental, a story of what it is to be human.
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