Thank you Mr. Salinger
Posted on January 28, 2010
“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.” J.D. Salinger
I have loved books for a very long time, long before I discovered J. D. Salinger. My earliest memories are my parents reading to us before bed, and going to the library and getting as many books as I wanted. When I discovered Mr. Salinger’s writing it became the material that I learned to laugh out loud, and to really enjoy the characters and their thought process and most importantly to love the irony of everything in everyday life.
I learned today that Mr. Salinger has passed away. Yesterday, I knew he was alive, I knew he was living as a recluse in the northeast somewhere. It comforted me to know that the author of the stories that I love so much could possibly still write more stories for me to enjoy. I know that sounds selfish, but I do not care. I’m sure like many people read Catcher In The Rye when they were 15. I read the book and loved Holden Caulfield I understood his angst, rebellion, and hatred for outsiders, but the love of his sister.
Mr. Salinger’s books introduced me to other American authors, “On The Road”, “Naked Lunch”, “The Stranger”, and so many others. Once I had read “Catcher In The Rye” I had to read all his stories. I loved them all.
My favorite character he ever wrote about was Franny - member of the Glass family who went crazy because she judged everyone without actually taking any blame on herself. She hated her college professors for being fake. Her boyfriend was just as rotten for wanting to participate in the social activities as his friends. She was a hipster, trying to be original in a see of sheep. It took her brother to point out that she was the problem and it wasn’t anyone else’s. I have read and reread this book at least four times, each time I get chills when I realize that I relate to her so much. You do things to please God, you don’t need to worry about anyone else in this life, it doesn’t matter, and you don’t need to worry about other people. Because all it is going to do is drive you crazy. Granted you should read the book (Franny and Zooey) and this synopsis is only my opinion.
““I’m just sick of ego, ego, ego. My own and everybody else’s. I’m sick of everybody that wants to get somewhere, do something distinguished and all, be somebody interesting. It’s disgusting.” Franny in Franny and Zooey
I’m not original; I’m sure all lovers of Mr. Salinger’s works are a bit sad today. I told a few interns this morning that I’m sad that there won’t be any more works published. Even if the last one had been published in the 60’s the thought that someday he might release something else kept hope alive. It’s been told there are manuscripts upon manuscripts in his home –specifically about the glass family who I love. What I wouldn’t give to read them.
As I read Mr. Salinger’s obituary in the New York times today. I was left thinking if his family goes by his wishes we might never read the books he wrote while he was in his cabin. .
I guess it is time for confession time; I am also a book snob. I will not read, Harry Potter I was probably 17 or 18 when it started to gain popularity, I do not read Twilight, those books are not written for me, a female in my 20’s and I feel unless you work directly with kids, there should be really no reason to be caring about “Team Edward or Team Jacob”. I hate books that are best sellers. I’m ok if they become best sellers after I read them, “Dear, John” “Tuesdays with Morrie” Stupid I know, but I spent a summer reading classics because I wanted to immerse myself in something more meaningful. I’m sure a character in Salinger’s book would call me a phony or a fake because as I try to be different I’m just like everyone else.
This is a lot longer than I had expected it to be. How many times had I wished that my friend was the author of these stories, and how my friends remind me of the characters in these books, and how life lessons were all over and written by the glass family. Maybe that is how it was supposed to be.
So Mr. Salinger thank you for the wonderful stories. Rest In Peace. 1919 - 2010
