If this is not his "novel" (novel) the best known or most recognized is in any case a more original, and as such it deserves to be read. I have not hooked to this own particular style Salinger (nothing to do with that of "Catcher in the Rye") from the start, but once we made it, we greatly appreciated this prose descrpitive and incisive. I'll add also that the philosophical dimension of the story told is particularly interesting, and the perceived moral "Eastern" Buddhist, which the author was a follower, is also very original. In short, read it, and you will know a fascinating new facet of the writing of this great author. Only flat, the relative brevity and shallowness of the story and characters - but do not forget that his studied in detail (the Glass family) throughout (almost) the work of JDSalinger.
