JD Salinger

The reclusive author JD Salinger has died aged 91. His novel, The Catcher in the Rye, lent a voice to the angst and despair felt by generations of rebellious teenagers.

Even though he was one of the most admired and influential US writers following the success of Catcher and its anti-hero, Holden Caulfield, Salinger published nothing after 1965 and had not been interviewed since 1980.

Salinger still wrote, but there has been no sign of any new book and in a rare 1980 interview with the Boston Sunday Globe, he said: “I love to write, and I assure you I write regularly. But I write for myself and I want to be left absolutely alone to do it.”

Salinger.Org

If you are revising The Catcher in the Rye you might enjoy Salinger.Org.

Salinger sues

JD Salinger, author of the acclaimed American novel Catcher In The Rye, has gone to court to try to block the publication of an unauthorised sequel written by a fan calling himself John David California.

The reclusive 90-year-old writer claims that 60 Years Later: Coming Through The Rye infringes his copyright, and is suing for damages from its author and publishers.

The new book is dedicated to Salinger and features Mr C, a character apparently based on Holden Caulfield, the rebellious teenage hero of Salinger’s classic 1951 novel. He is portrayed as a 76-year-old escapee from an old people’s home.

Read more on Times Online.

Holden’s New York

“The first thing I did when I got off at Penn Station, I went into this phone booth. I felt like giving somebody a buzz. I left my bags right outside the booth so I could watch them, but as soon as I was inside, I couldn’t think of anybody to call up.”

So begins the New York adventure of Holden Caulfield in “The Catcher in the Rye,” the J. D. Salinger novel that was published over 50 years ago.

Read Thomas Beller’s article ‘Holden’s New York’ to understand what an integral role Manhattan itself plays in the narrative.

Igby Goes Down and The Catcher in the Rye

This video has been made by an American English student as an explanation of The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger using clips from the film Igby Goes Down. He seems to be suggesting that the film is channeling the novel.

The Catcher in the Rye – External Aspects

If you are looking for information about the novel The Catcher in the Rye here is an interesting site. Hit the link and you will be taken to a site that comprises material from outside the novel itself – what might be called external or extrinsic approach/criticism. It may include anything from the biographical background of the author to other works of fiction or non-fiction that somehow relate to the novel.

Comin’ Thro’ the Rye

Comin’ Thro’ the Rye, is the song/poem which is referenced in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. In the novel Holden Caulfield heard a child singing “If a body catch a body coming through the Rye.” The child had a pretty little voice and it made Holden feel better and not so depressed. In fact the song translates as ‘If a body meet a body’ but Holden did not know that at the time. Later when Phoebe, his little sister asked him what he would like to be, he answered that he wanted to be the Catcher in the Rye.

Holden has a vision of thousands of small children playing in a field of rye. A cliff borders the field. In their abandon, the innocent children symbolically run too close to the edge and may fall. Holden would be there to catch them. He would be the catcher in the rye.

Listen to Jason Alexander read the extract.

Comin Thro’ The Rye

O, Jenny’s a’ weet, poor body,
Jenny’s seldom dry:
She draigl’t a’ her petticoatie,
Comin thro’ the rye!

Comin thro’ the rye, poor body,
Comin thro’ the rye,
She draigl’t a’ her petticoatie,
Comin thro’ the rye!

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro’ the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro’ the glen,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need the warl’ ken?

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro’ the grain;
Gin a body kiss a body,
The thing’s a body’s ain.

Robert Burns

See a translation into Standard English here.

The Catcher in the Rye in a Minute

Here is the super abridged version of The Catcher in the Rye from Book in a Minute. This is for all of you who claim that they don’t have time to re-read the book .

This version has been Ultra-Condensed by David J. Parker.

Holden Caulfield

Angst angst angst swear curse swear crazy crazy angst swear curse, society sucks, and I’m a stupid jerk.

The End