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For Esmé - with Love and Squalor

And Other Stories
4.18 goodreads logo

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( 153,367 ratings, 6,635 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
For Esmé - with Love and Squalor by J.D. Salinger is a poignant short story revolving around a young American soldier who encounters a precocious English girl named Esmé before heading into World War II. Set in both England and a wartime backdrop, the story explores themes of innocence, trauma, and the healing power of human connection. It deftly weaves together a touching narrative of kindness and understanding amidst the chaos of war.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection of stories if you're intrigued by deeply reflective narratives that explore the complexity of human emotions and experiences. Salinger's writing offers a blend of warmth and melancholy, making it compelling for readers who appreciate nuanced character studies and introspective prose.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In honour of the centennial of J. D. Salinger, Penguin reissues all four of his books in beautiful commemorative hardback.

An American soldier has a strange encounter with an orphaned English teenager the night before he leaves for war. A four-year-old boy runs away in a dinghy; a missionary's child is kidnapped by Chinese bandits. A honeymoon in Florida goes awry with tragic consequences. Including the first stories to feature Salinger's beloved Glass family characters, this brilliantly varied collection offers a vivid introduction to the work of one of the most admired and widely read American novelists of the twentieth century.

Witty, urbane and frequently affecting, For Esmé - with Love and Squalor sits alongside Salinger's very best work — a gem that will be passed down for many generations to come.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

For Esmé - with Love and Squalor by J. D. Salinger is highly praised for its timeless and resonant writing. Dave Eggers recalls how much Salinger's work impacted him in his youth, emphasising its enduring quality. Martin Amis describes Salinger's voice as uniquely pure. The Sunday Times highlights him as a precursor to representing youthful alienation, before it became widely recognised.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241985922

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 November 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 204.0mm

Weight: 264g

Pages: 192

About the Author

J. D. Salinger was born in 1919 and died in January 2010. 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 over 65 million copies worldwide. He went on to write three further, critically acclaimed, best-selling works of fiction- Franny and Zooey, For Esme - With Love And Squalor and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters, and Seymour - An Introduction. Salinger continued to write throughout his life and left behind a large body of unpublished work.

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