Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour - an introduction

First published in the New Yorker in the 1950s, 'Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour - an Introduction' are two novellas narrated by Buddy Glass. In the first, Buddy has taken leave from the army during World War II to attend the wedding of the eldest Glass brother, Seymour, and an atmosphere of portentous suspense sets the scene for the tragedy that will follow. In the second, Buddy reminisces about Seymour and the novella unfolds into an exploration of a complex and sad character which displays tenderness.