Waiting for Salinger

On the first of January, J. D. Salinger, the author of the seminal work The Catcher in the Rye, turned 90. It would not surprise me that some of you had no idea he was still alive. We have heard nothing from him in decades. In fact, his last published work was in 1965 with a novella in The New Yorker. His last interview was in the early '80s. So what happened to J. D. Salinger?

The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951 when Salinger was 32. It was published to controversy that followed it even up to the late '80s. But, though it was first infamous it became one of the most famous novels of the 20th Century. It certainly seems to be one of the most important works of American literature. Regardless, though originally intended as an adult novel, it has become the text for disenfranchised youth and kept that mantle over generations. Holden Caulfield, the pro-antagonist of the novel, has become a beacon for teen rebellion.

Over 75 million copies of Catcher in the Rye have been printed and it is a best seller every year without fail. Naturally, that would draw a lot of attention towards Salinger himself, something he did not welcome. He disliked it so much that he withdrew from the public world. What's more, his experiences with the business side of writing discouraged him from the whole publishing scene.

But it did not discourage him from writing. Although many speculations, bordering on myth, have surrounded Salinger as a mystery man, it is known that he has kept writing profusely for half a century. Writing, not for anyone else but himself. And all this writing is only to be published after his death. Apparently, he has files and files of work and it includes at least two novels.

How much there is in its entirety, few know. But you can be sure that when the day comes for all this material to be released (over years, I'm sure) it will be one of the most significant events in literature and publishing for decades to come. Think of all the PhDs that will result from it. How many works of critical analysis? How many discussion groups will form to discuss it?

And whether J. D. Salinger's new works are greeted with love or disdain, there is little doubt it will shake up the literary scene for a mighty long time.

I very much hope it does.