Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The author writes: The two long pieces in this book originally came out in The New Yorker ? RAISE HIGH THE ROOF BEAM, CARPENTERS in 1955, SEYMOUR ? An Introduction in 1959. Whatever their differences in mood or effect, they are both very much concerned with Seymour Glass, who is the main character in my still-uncompleted series about the Glass family. It struck me that they had better be collected together, if not deliberately paired off, in something of a hurry, if I mean them to avoid unduly or undesirably close contact with new material in the series. There is only my word for it, granted, but I have several new Glass stories coming along ? waxing, dilating ? each in its own way, but I suspect the less said about them, in mixed company, the better. Oddly, the joys and satisfactions of working on the Glass family peculiarly increase and deepen for me with the years. I can't say why, though. Not, at least, outside the casino proper of my fiction.

About the Author

J D Salinger was born in 1919. He grew up in New York City, and wrote short stories from an early age, but his breakthrough came in 1948 with the publication in The New Yorker of 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish'. The Catcher in the Rye was his first and only novel, published in 1951. It remains one of the most translated, taught and reprinted texts, and has sold some 65 million copies. It was followed by three other books of short stories and novellas, the most recent of which was published in 1963. He lives in Cornish, New Hampshire. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (January 30, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316769576
• ISBN-13: 978-0316769570
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #236,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salinger's best work., October 17, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Raise High the Roof beam, Carpenters And Seymour: An Introduction (Turtleback)

Commonly mislabeled the worst of the Glass family saga, and of J.D. Salinger's work in general, Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters, and Seymour, an Introduction, deserves much praise. Salinger takes a lot of care and thought in writing these two short stories. Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters features Buddy Glass attending his brother, Seymour's wedding. Seymour never physically appears in this story, but Buddy narrates so much about him that he is very much a main character. Seymour, an Introduction is a more difficult read. What at first appears incessant ramblings of a grief stricken sibling, at second glance becomes a well crafted work of genuis. Every word is carefully placed, to describle Seymour, Buddy's relationship with Seymour, and Seymour's impact on everyone he met. While getting through the second story, may be difficult it is a worthwhile challenge. You will learn everything about Seymour, from the way he wrote poetry, to the way he shot his marbles, and from Seymour you will learn an entirely new way to view the world, and everyone in it.

-PRBecki

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime and beautiful, December 1, 1999

By	Jordan (mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (Mass Market Paperback)

Both stories are incredible, in different ways. "Raise High..." is a beautiful glimpse into both Buddy and Seymour (the diary entry about his scars was incredible). And "Seymour"...wow. It is so original, funny, but poignant at the same time ("John Keats, please put you scarf on"). I don't dare compare these to any of his other works because I wouldn't discourage anyone form reading other Salinger works. They are all wonderful. He is by far the best writer of our time.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, March 15, 2000

By	Sam Wise (Winchester, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (Mass Market Paperback)

Just what it is about Salinger I don't know, but I was captivated from the first time I read Franny and Zooey. Maybe it's the down to earthness of the dialogue, the kookiness of the characters. Maybe it's the way he says things worth saying without being too lofty or literary, or maybe it's the way that you feel part of his world, get into the heads of the characters. Whatever it is it's good, and too complicated to define easily, which makes it better. Buy this book and all the books. The Glass family can be your friends too.