J.D. Salinger: 1919 - 2010

Noted writer and frequent New England hermit, J.D. Salinger, died yesterday at the age of 91. Popularly known for his novel The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger later became equally famous for his ability to avoid the public eye for the last thirty years of his life.

I don't know what kind of royalties he was pulling in for Catcher in the Rye, but it had to be pretty good, since he didn't publish another piece of writing from 1965 onward. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of The Catcher in the Rye. I'll even say I think it's the most overrated popular book in modern American history. Still, you've got to credit a guy who somehow creates a cult following off scant artistic material.

Why, just look at the over-hype going on since his death. Here is a sample of over-the-top praise for Salinger because he wrote...umm...well...one published novel. It's to be expected. We live in a world of extreme, of the "greatest" and the "best" and the "worst." No one is middle of the pack anymore. As a writer this much can be said: Salinger could write well. Whether it was the greatest or best, well, that can be debated.

So, here's to you, J.D. Salinger! You were the greatest and best and most amazing 20th century writer who would later become a recluse! Thanks for memories. You will be missed.