Franny and ZooeyFranny and Zooey
Score Classic
What it's about
Two linked stories about the Glass family of New York. In the first, Franny, a college student, has lunch with her boyfriend and falls apart, consumed by a little religious book and a prayer she can't stop repeating. In the second, she lies on the family couch while her brilliant, sarcastic older brother Zooey, a television actor, tries to talk her back to life.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 26 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It's Salinger's warmest and funniest book after The Catcher in the Rye, full of quick, sparkling dialogue.
You'll love it if you liked
The Catcher in the Rye
Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters
To Kill a MockingbirdGood to know
It's short and mostly talk. Its ideas about religion and ego are central.
By the numbers
- Readers35 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller75 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking, Moving, Adventurous
More by J. D. Salinger
The Catcher in the RyeRaise High the Roof Beam, CarpentersIf you like this, read next
Gravity's Rainbow
Breakfast of Champions
Cat's Cradle
Gormenghast
Infinite Jest
Cat's EyeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Franny and Zooey worth reading?
Yes. It spent 26 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,421 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Franny and Zooey about?
Two linked stories about the Glass family of New York. In the first, Franny, a college student, has lunch with her boyfriend and falls apart, consumed by a little religious book and a prayer she can't stop repeating. In the second, she lies on the family couch while her brilliant, sarcastic older brother Zooey, a television actor, tries to talk her back to life.
How long does it take to read Franny and Zooey?
About 5 hours (201 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Franny and Zooey?
If you liked it, try The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters by J. D. Salinger or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.