J.D. Salinger, 91, Is Dead

L

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/jd-salinger-91-is-dead/

Salinger’s writing had a huge impact on me, and this is sobering news for me, today.

“Franny and Zooey”, “Raise high The Roof Beam, Carpenter and Seymore: An Introduction” and, of course, “The Catcher in the Rye” were so fantastic to read – think I’ll revisit them this year.

After being mind-blown by Catcher, I went on to F&Z and then the 2 novells (“...Carpenter/Seymore:...”). You can feel Salinger getting more introspective, philosophical, and even cryptic as he writes each successive book -- more and more like a zen koan. Then the final silence he retired into...

I remember reading years ago that he still writes; it would be astounding if his will bequeaths those writings to the world.

But if it doesn’t release those supposed unpublished works -- I think I get that joke too (nice one, Salinger J)

I believe Salinger, even of his own death, would himself say something like “all things end”, (except maybe not worded so tritely).

So I’ll just say thanks to the undying spirit of his works: thanks for the light, the insight, your inward gaze, and the inspiration.

Thanks J.D.!

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny