Franny and Zooey

J. D. Salinger · 1919–2010 · United States

Why it matters

A college girl's spiritual crisis over a pilgrim's prayer book is met, over one long day, by her brother's exasperated, tender counterargument. Two linked stories tracing the Glass family's peculiar brilliance and breakdown.

At a glance

Talky, digressive dialogue carries most of the weight, in otherwise plain prose.