I have been toying with the idea of writing a review for one of my favorite books, one that taught me so many things about the literary world. So, here it is. I am sharing my thoughts on the amazing memoir written by Joanna Rakoff, “My Salinger Year”. The author talks about her job as assistant to the literary agent of J.D. Salinger, but her book shines from many different points of view, including the desire to write, the longing for a partner that matches her in every way, and the universe of literary New York.
My opinion:
Joanna Rakoff describes her experience in the literary world down to the smallest detail. She is trying to adjust to a literary company that is unlike others, especially since it is the 90s and they are still using old technology. I loved how the agency was compared to something written by Dickens, and I felt so comfortable with both the tone and writing style of the book. I have read many memoirs, but few of them manage to achieve the perfect balance between humor and irony. And don’t think you have to be a fan of Salinger to read this book, just give it a chance and I am sure you will love it.
From the Communist boyfriend to finding the courage to overcome outdated conceptions, Joanna Rakoff manages to show that life does not always go as planned, but there are plenty of reasons to fight for your dreams. Of course, I enjoyed reading about Salinger and how eccentric he was, not to mention the many rules the Agency had with regard to him. While reading this book, you might feel tempted to re-read his books. I last read him in high school, so re-reading “The Catcher in the Rye” as an adult was such a different experience.
Returning to this unbelievable memoir, I just point out that Joanna is warm in writing, and it feels like you are talking to an old friend. The language used is rich and elegant, and it seems like you are there, next to her, experiencing the same ups and downs. I would not want to forget the love Joanna has for books, I often regret of not reading enough, even though this is rarely the case. Her love for books is not connected only to her job, but to various other aspects in her life, and I loved that I was able to relate to her.
Verdict:
Writing reviews is hard, because we cannot express all the emotions a book has left inside our hearts. I absolutely loved “My Salinger Year” and it is difficult to describe the feeling I was left with, but I am sure that I want to read everything else Joanna Rakoff has written. She is an amazing writer, and I am glad for my first book written by her to be connected to J.D. Salinger, one of the first American writers I discovered in high school. “The Catcher in the Rye” is one of the books that helped me read in English and I am happy to have reached a point where I can read books like this one, enjoying every word to perfection!
Author Website: http://www.joannarakoff.com
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