Thursday, January 28, 2010

Yet another death: JD Salinger

When I was in 6th grade, I first read The Catcher in the Rye. I thought there could be no book written before or ever after that would completely capture my human experience like this one did. In following years, I devoured those few, great published Salinger stories; I even almost made it through Seymour: An Introduction.

There was no human I wanted to meet more in this world. I remember that I would get anxious just thinking that I would never be able to meet or see this brilliant recluse in person. Over the years, my obsession waned. I grew up and Holden Caulfield wasn't as strong a defining presence in my life anymore. No matter how many times I've reread a Salinger book, I still can feel those initial sensations I had as a kid. I daresay that there has never been a more enduring literary character than Holden, with his hunting cap, taking a step off the curb and not knowing if he'll reach the other side.

I guess I'll never see Salinger in this life. May he rest in peace.

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