Wonderful J.D. Salinger site

[Norm]

from this site http://www.salinger.org and its FAQ page

Is he still alive?

Salinger is still alive and living what some have called a "reclusive" life. He has been seen and surreptitiously photographed for Time and People magazines, among others. He lives in the same house he bought back in 1953 in Cornish, New Hampshire.

We are loathe to include that bit of information here, lest people go to bother him there, but the town has become so associated with him, and his residence there so publicized, that not including it would be a disservice.

There was a piece in The New Yorker about 6 or 7 years ago (2003?), all about the author's (of the article) quest to catch a glimpse of Salinger. The article was written very skilfully, as most New Yorker contributions are, weaving the tale of his quest (how he tried to track down Salinger) in with stories about Salinger's legendary "reclusiveness" from history, bobbing back and forth. Though its been several years since I read it, if I recall correctly he made it as far as Salinger's mailbox at the end of his driveway and then just said, 'screw it' and left. I think he figured, he Salinger's that focused on remaining removed from society, then just let him be, but it was a fascinating article nevertheless.

[ghost of miles]

The person who runs the Dead Caulfields site has written a biography of Salinger that will be out next spring. Based on what little I know about it, I think it's going to be a respectful and highly significant contribution to JDS studies. Here's a note from the publisher's website:

JD Salinger: a Life Raised High– Kenneth Slawinski.

JD Salinger: a Life Raised High reveals the surprising reality behind the enigmatic author of The Catcher in the Rye. Readers travel with the author through both his stories and the events of his life. It is a biographical journey, a story of ambition and ego that collides with integrity, an account of Salinger’s struggle to deal with the consequences of his own fame while attempting to understand the nature of God and humanity after experiencing the darkest days of human history.

With unique insights into Salinger’s complex personality, the text (stretching to more than 150,000 words) covers his youth, war years, career and relationships, as well as his emergence as an American icon and final withdrawal. With over 400 citations and first-hand accounts, the details of Salinger’s life have been thoroughly researched and the book uncovers many surprising facts never before exposed. By peeling away myth from truth, a far more compelling life-story is actually revealed.

Random House is publishing a slightly revised American edition of this biography in January. I've read the British edition and can vouch for it as a well-researched, illuminating take on JDS's life, and one that certainly brings World War II to the forefront in understanding its impact on his writing.

[ghost of miles]

An excerpt from Kenneth's book in the new Vanity Fair:

Holden Caulfield's Goddam War