The death of anyone is sad. However, I really hated Catcher in the Rye,placing it very high on the list of books that waste paper and library shelf space. And yes, I am of the generation in whose youth it was written. It's the one book that my mother, my husband, my son and I all agree on.

I remember not exactly "getting" that book when I read it. I think I was still a bit young for it and maybe not (yet)jaded about life.

I did hear an interview on NPR this morning about a man who went looking for Salinger (a notorious loner)and ended up meeting him.

Here's a comment from the interview:

"Did you think it would be such a popular book?" he asked.
"It's been a nightmare" Krawczyk recalls Salinger answering. The writer did not elaborate.

Of course, he did go on to write Franny and Zooey, so who knows. I want to go back and read Catcher again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Meeting Salinger

I absolutely loved "Catcher in the Rye" when it first came out, as did my (at the time) boyfriend, when we were at University. It seemed to uniquely capture a feeling of that generation and the mores of a particular culture.

I was surprised to learn later what an "oddball" Salinger was in real life--- an extreme recluse.

I just saw a rather revolting news bit on the local channel. Apparently Salinger's neighbors in the small New Hampshire town he lived in are refusing to talk to the press. The anchor said something like, "Oh, how fun to dig around for all the juicy little details!" No wonder he chose seclusion. I guess respect for the dead is sadly outdated.

I loved Catcher in the Rye all those years ago - being from a small working-class town, I was fascinated by the details of the protagonist's life. So different from my world. I've devoted a great deal of my life to entering different worlds through books, and this was an early memorable journey for me.

I remember reading in awe and in one sitting "Catcher in the Rye", but couldnÂt get into Franny and Zooey

The anchor said something like, "Oh, how fun to dig around for all the juicy little details!" No wonder he chose seclusion. I guess respect for the dead is sadly outdated
Once a tragedy happened to an Italian family (canÂt remember what) and they refused to talk to the press, so one anchor in order to be able to enter the house, said through the buzzer "hello thereÂs mail for you" she managed to put a foot between the door and the wall but the family succeded in not let her in, but how sad and irksome was to see all this on tv

grelobe

Couldn't really relate to Catcher in the Rye when I read it, so wasn't that impressed but I know loads of other people loved it.

As for the TV reporters, what irks me is when the reporters ask the recently bereaved: "So how did it FEEL when you heard the news?"

I have done a lot of work with media and in this city, we are a stepping stone to other bigger markets so we have a lot of rookie reporters. I know they're just trying to get some good footage to take them to the next market, but please - a little empathy would go a long way.

I did not read Catcher in the Rye until about a year ago, and I really did not like it.....maybe I'm just too darned old, but I wanted to just slap that kid along side his head. I could not see what made it such a laudable book. I happened to see it a couple of hours ago on a bookshelf, and thought, "I still don't like you".

I didn't at all like Catcher in the Rye when I read it in my teens, and I still didn't like it as an adult. Apparently he wasn't speaking to me, and I have never been a fan.

Many people did love his work though, so obviously he was saying something that resonated with the right people.

Rosefolly

I think this is a book that you have to read at a certain age. I read it when I was 15 or 16 and absolutely loved it, tho I was shocked by the language and some other things. I doubt it would hold much appeal for me now.

It had been out ten years when I read it and was still considered pretty daring stuff to be read away from parents' eyes. How amazed I was when I saw it on my kids' HS reading list. They didn't like it and they are both avid readers.

I went on to read his other books and bought the hardcover of Frannie and Zooey when it first came out. Not sure I completely got it but I really enjoyed it.

Catcher in the Rye is a classic, tho not for every taste and every age, I suppose.

I read Catcher in the Rye shortly after it came out, and I was probably a few years younger than Holden Caulfield at the time. I really loved the book and still love it.

I couldn't get very involved with the Glass family, but I'm very fond of the short stories in Nine Stories.

I think the reason Salinger became a recluse is because he could not write another book the equal of Catcher in the Rye, and I think he knew it. Also, the book developed a cult following and he didn't want to deal with that.
In the book, Holden Caulfield berated several genre of people and if you didn't like or understand the book it's probally because you're one of them. Don't be concerned.