Franny and Zooey

Original publication

The book is a reworking from "Ivanoff, the Terrible" (1956).[5]

"Franny" and Zooey were originally published separately in The New Yorker magazine. "Franny" appeared in the magazine in the January 29, 1955 issue, and Zooey in the May 4, 1957 issue. Salinger published "Franny" and Zooey together as a book in July 1961, through Little, Brown and Company, and dedicated the book to New Yorker editor William Shawn.

Since the misconception that Franny was pregnant was nearly universal at the time of original publication (the New Yorker’s editors themselves believed Franny was pregnant), Salinger first edited the text before reconsidering, torn between his annoyance at the notion readers might interpret the story through the lens of a pregnant Franny on one hand, and his reluctance of delivering clear-cut messages on the other. In the end, he made only a single change; having Lane Coutell say "Too goddam long between drinks. To put it crassly," in the hope this was seen as a reference to sex rather than menstruation. According to the Salinger scholar Warren French,[6] the change was insufficient.[7][8]


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