Nine Stories

by J.D. Salinger
Nine Stories cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Technical
  • ID: 5643
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
hackwriters.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
thought-provoking 4.50

Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human nature and relationships. The stories are thought-provoking and often leave a lasting impression.

Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger is a collection that showcases the author's unique ability to capture the intricacies of human emotions and relationships. Each story is a standalone piece, yet they collectively offer a profound exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the search for meaning. The characters are often flawed and introspective, making them relatable and compelling. The prose is sharp and insightful, with a touch of wit that adds depth to the narratives. The stories are not just entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving the reader with a sense of reflection and introspection. They liked the book, but think some of the plot is thin.

Quick quotes

    The stories are a testament to Salinger's genius

    Each story is a masterclass in storytelling

    The characters are flawed and introspective, making them relatable and compelling

theamericanscholar.org · Unknown · 2015-03-23
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found Hemingway's short stories more masterful than his novels, appreciating his straightforward and honest writing style. They highlighted several standout stories and expressed a newfound appreciation for Hemingway's work.

The reviewer struggled to decide between giving this collection three or four stars, ultimately settling on three because their dominant feeling was that they were just trying to plow through it to finish it. They didn't particularly dislike any of the stories, but most were just 'fine' and not very interesting. However, several stories stood out, including 'Cat in the Rain' and 'A Natural History of the Dead,' which they would give five stars. Others they particularly liked included 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro,' 'Old Man at the Bridge,' and 'Hills Like White Elephants.' The reviewer also appreciated Hemingway's writing style, disagreeing with the notion that he glorified war or masculine activities. They found his depictions honest and melancholy, showing the flaws and sadness in these activities. Despite the tediousness of reading through the collection, the reviewer is glad they finished it and looks forward to reading more of Hemingway's novels in the future.

Quick quotes

    Hemingway's short stories are far more masterful than his novels. I wish I knew where my copy of this book was right now!

    Perhaps most importantly, this collection gave me a greater appreciation of Hemingway. Previously I had only read The Old Man and the Sea, which I did not like at all.

    I struggled to decide between giving this collection three or four stars, but eventually I gave it three because my dominant feeling as I was reading it was that I was just trying to plow through it to finish it.

newyorker.com · Unknown · 2012-05-21
engaging 4.00

The reviewer undertook the task of reading all 650 pages of 'The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway', finding most of the stories engaging and worth their time, though some were not to their taste. They particularly liked the Nick Adams stories and recommended Hemingway's novels 'A Farewell to Arms' and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' for a great reading experience.

The reviewer recently read 'The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway', a collection spanning 650 pages. They found the task monumental but rewarding, enjoying most of the stories despite some not aligning with their personal tastes. The collection is divided into three sections, with the first containing Hemingway's most famous works published in 1938. The second section includes stories published after 1938, and the third features previously unpublished fragments and stories. The reviewer particularly appreciated the Nick Adams stories, which they found the most engaging. They also noted the breadth of subject matter in Hemingway's work, from African hunting to bullfighting and the Spanish Civil War. While they enjoyed the short stories, they recommended Hemingway's novels 'A Farewell to Arms' and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' for an even better reading experience, praising these as superb love stories set in war.

Quick quotes

    The stories are apparently just in random order, rather than in the order in which Hemingway wrote them.

    Some of the stories in 'The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway' I had read, but most of them I was reading for the first time.

    For a great reading experience, though, read either of the novels 'A Farewell to Arms' or 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.' Both of them are love stories in a war setting and are superb.

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