Nine Stories (Salinger)
A Perfect Day for Bananafish
At a luxury seaside hotel, a woman ignored warnings about her emotionally disturbed husband's odd behavior. After spending time with a young child on the beach, her troubled husband killed himself.
Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut
Two former college roommates drank and reminisced. One recalled her dead lover with sadness, was unkind to her child, realized her lost happiness and cried, wishing she was the girl from her past.
Just Before the War with the Eskimos
Frustrated at paying cab fare alone, a teen confronted her tennis mate. Meeting friend's eccentric brother with a heart problem softened her attitude; later she thoughtfully kept his sandwich gift.
The Laughing Man
Upset by losing his girlfriend, a gentle law student ended his beloved tale about a heroic masked criminal in tragedy, deeply upsetting the young boys who idolized both storyteller and character.
Down at the Dinghy
Upset by overhearing a prejudiced insult against his father, a quiet, sensitive boy runs away. His kind, understanding mother consoles him, explains gently, and returns happily home with him.
For Esmé—with Love and Squalor
A traumatized American soldier, struggling after World War II, received a compassionate letter and a symbolic watch from an orphaned English girl, reminding him of hope and encouraging recovery.
Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes
A distressed lawyer feared his wife cheated when she vanished after a party. He called his calm friend, unaware his missing wife was secretly there, betraying him. Later, she returned home safely.
De Daumier‑Smith's Blue Period
A lonely, gifted young painter lied to teach art by mail and became passionately attached to his one talented pupil, a nun. When she left, he had a powerful revelation, accepting he must let her go.
Teddy
A philosophical young boy aboard a ship predicted his fatal fall into a drained swimming pool after being pushed by his hostile sister, a tragedy at last confirmed by the sister's haunting scream.