Nine Stories

In case it wasn’t obvious from The Catcher in the Rye that J.D. Salinger’s work is primarily concerned with the impact of trauma and the search for meaning and connection, this collection of nine short stories makes it clear. Loosely connected, the stories deal with a succession of related themes, including despair, redemption, spirituality, hope and love. They don’t quite build to the power of The Catcher in the Rye (and their resolutions are often too abrupt), but a few of them are exceptional — especially “For Esme – with Love and Squalor,” about the PTSD experiences of World War II veterans.