J.D. Salinger, the famous literary figure who never wanted to be famous, died yesterday in his home in Cornish, N.J., where he lived in near seclusion for the last fifty years. His health had been excellent, despite a broken hip in May of last year, until the New Year when he went into rapid decline.
Salinger didn’t write very much, but even with only one novel, one collection and two compilations to his name (not to mention a multitude of short stories), his body of work made him one of the more influential American writers of the 20th century. That influence hasn’t faded much, despite the fact that Salinger hasn’t been published, or often seen in public, in nearly half a century. The river of sad Facebook status updates and tweets that flowed across cyberspace yesterday speaks loudly of what a strong place “The Catcher in the Rye” still hold in the hearts of generations of Americans.
Perhaps this is because of the carelessly strong and rebellious voice of Catcher’s teenage hero, Holden Caulfield. Published in 1951, “Catcher” and Holden struck a cord in the hearts of young people across Cold War America. In 1974 Phillip Roth wrote, “The response of college students to the work of J. D. Salinger indicates that he, more than anyone else, has not turned his back on the times but, instead, has managed to put his finger on whatever struggle of significance is going on today between self and culture.” Twenty-six years later, it’s clear that Salinger’s work is still hitting its mark. ”Catcher” still sells some 250,000 odd copies a year.
Honor Salinger’s memory and take this great opportunity to introduce your teenager or tween to this famous teen rebel. Reading “The Catcher in the Rye” as a family offers opportunities not only to prove to your kids that famous literature doesn’t have to be boring, but also to discuss all the things you want to and need to talk to your teenager about but don’t know how. Identity, sexuality, social alienation, family belonging – just about every tough topic involved in the process of growing up is somewhere in its pages.
