R.I P. J.D. Salinger
Tags: Catcher In The Rye, J.D. Salinger, portrait of the day, sketch of the day
Ball point pen on the morning newsprint
Written by Guest blogger Alyssa Roibal
Holden Caulfield is a character most high school teens were relieved to meet. He was different from previous characters we read about like Elizabeth Bennet, who girls looked up to. Or Atticus Finch, the definition of a good father, and a man every boy hopes to become. Caulfield is a high school student (or expelled prep school student) we could relate to. We wanted to be that kids friend, or at least have a conversation with him, even if our parents might not have wanted us to. The Catcher in the Rye is rebellious, witty and filled cover to cover with teen angst. Most either love or despise it, and the same goes for its narrator and main character Holden Caulfield. He doesn’t tip toe around anything. He speaks his mind freely, starting with the opening line of the novel:
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”
J.D. Salinger, made a point to stay out of the public eye. His novels - by contrast, were in your face and charming. Students who previously wouldn’t be caught dead admitting to liking a book were participating in class discussions and commenting on funny things they had read the night before. Turning a non-reader into a book lover, even if it’s only of one book, may be J.D. Salinger’s greatest legacy. He was 91.
About todays guest blogger: Alyssa Roibal is a student at Rutgers University and writes for the on-line indie music magazine Praise For Wallflower
Doodles by dad
Larry said:
Jan 29, 10 at 10:36 amI learned of Salinger’s passing late yesterday afternoon. It’s been a long time since I suffered from teen angst or read Catcher in The Rye, but I recall having conversations with my daughter when she was reading it. I texted her last night on my way to the gym to ask her to write a few words for todays post.
I know she had a late class yesterday so thank you Alyssa for doing that for me.
sue said:
Jan 29, 10 at 11:33 amGreat post, Alyssa! I remember reading Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey when I was in high school and college, and they were definitely part of my formative years. Thanks for the nostalgic return to those days. I was sad to learn he’d died. I wonder if they will wind up publishing any more of his writings now that he’s gone. I read that he continued writing but never published anything these last years…wonderful portrait, as always, Larry! Very nice father/daughter effort here! Kudos!
Donna said:
Jan 29, 10 at 12:14 pmI agree…great father/daughter collaboration. Maybe someday Alyssa will ask her Dad to illustrate the cover of one of her novels. You never know.
Alyssa said:
Jan 29, 10 at 12:48 pmYou’re welcome Dad, no problem. And Mom, that’ll never happen haha
Alice, said:
Jan 29, 10 at 1:13 pmAlyssa, Im with your Mom on that one . You write so WONDERFULLY Im looking forward to reading more of your work
Pat D said:
Jan 29, 10 at 4:19 pmI agree with Alyssa….his novel Catcher in the Rye has turned so many non-readers into readers. I am one of them!
Stephen Gardner said:
Jan 29, 10 at 6:44 pmHey Alyssa, I’m 47 and have never read this book but I’m going to pick up a copy over the weekend. Your post is what finally made up my mind, I want to know what all the fuss is about.
Thanks.