You might have heard that famed author J.D. Salinger has died at 91 years old. Salinger wrote the wildly popular novel, The Catcher in the Rye.
Now that Salinger has died, there is a great deal of speculation about what is in his safe. “Stories about a possible Salinger trove have been around for a long time. In 1999, New Hampshire neighbor Jerry Burt said the author had told him years earlier that he had written at least 15 unpublished books kept locked in a safe at his home. A year earlier, author and former Salinger girlfriend Joyce Maynard had written that Salinger used to write daily and had at least two novels stored away.
Salinger, who died Wednesday at age 91, began publishing short stories in the 1940s and became a sensation in the 1950s after the release of “Catcher,” a novel that helped drive the already wary author into near-total seclusion. His last book, “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour,” came out in 1963 and his last published work of any kind, the short story “Hapworth 16, 1924,” appeared in The New Yorker in 1965.” (Information provided by Yahoo News).
Could he have written several other novels? Will we ever know?
I, as most of us did, read The Catcher in the Rye in high school. I hated it, could not identify with it, and still don’t hold much love for it today. Did you read it? What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the novel (the fact that most serial or political killers seemed to carry a copy of the novel on them). I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Interesting post.
Catcher in the Rye is a book that didn’t appeal to me either. I wonder if there are other books in his safe?? That will be cool to find out.
Interesting post.
Catcher in the Rye is a book that didn’t appeal to me either. I wonder if there are other books in his safe?? That will be cool to find out.
I also read it in high school and don’t remember much except it was one of those that made you think. I think it was a downer though. Carol
I read Catcher In The Rye a looong time ago, and I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t remember a thing about it!
I’ve got an award to give you Kori! I enjoy your blog every time I visit!
xo,
Carol
Hello Darling, I have not read it! I’m not sure if I will like it, but probably should give it a try. I hope you had a great weekend!
xoxo
Rachel
Hey there! 🙂 I have nominated you for an award on my blog 🙂 when you have the time go check it out :)) and hope you like it
Vendella
OOOHHHH Pretty new look!! I likey!
I was never a huge fan of Catcher, however I LOVED LOVED LOVED nine stories … and several of his other works. I do hope he has some publish-worthy items hidden about, as he really is a fabulous writer!
blessings!
gee…i thought i was the only one who didnt like the classic “Catcher in the rye”. i’m glad to know that there are many more like me out there.
i recently read Franny and Zooey and while i did find it better than the catcher, i think i may have missed out on the real essence of this story as well.
I did read it but I was never a cynical, disillusioned kind of girl – always more Julie Andrews than Bette Davis! So I couldn’t really relate to it!
But I am sorry for his family, friends and fans that lost a mentor/idol.
iamemmamusic.blogspot.com
I have never read this book! Even though i’ve been meaning to for ages! Quite a lot of my friends like it, so maybe i should give it a go.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could discover what was in his safe? xx
I hated the book when I was young too. I should re read it and see if it’s any different now that I’m all growed up!
I started it years ago, but it did nothing for me, and I never finished it. Like most people, I know the story and find it quite eerie that psychotics identify with it.
I’ve always wondered, in fact assumed, I guess, that the character of Terrence Mann, in Field of Dreams, was based on Salinger. Can you, as the queen of trivia, confirm or deny this?
One of my favorite books! Another great writer leaves us…but what a nice long life!
I never ever read it…it was not part of my high school curriculum. In my AP English course I was subjected to Olde English – Beowoulf, Austen’s, Poetry, etc.
Maybe it should be on my list.
I never read the book, but it’s exciting to think of unpublished novels hidden away!
I read Catcher in the Rye in high school, and it really spoke to me then. This year, I tried to read it again, and I couldn’t get into it. I didn’t like Frannie and Zooey.
The NY Times obit was really interesting.
That is intriguing, I read the book a long time ago but I will have to read it again.
I saw that yesterday he died.Im must say Ive heard about that book but never read it myself.Lots of contraversy over it in schools here I believe.
I here there maybe more things he hadnt released.Interesting!
I heard about this yesterday! I have to say, I’ve never read the Catcher in the Rye. I don’t know how I got through high school and then being an English major in college without reading it. But somehow… I’ve heard it’s quite interesting though. I never heard of the safe theories either! I wonder if we’ll ever know what else he may have written.
The Catcher in the Rye is a great book for the disenchanted. I would be greatly interested in reading something modern from Salinger if it exists.
I have never read this book!
I have ownded this book for many years and have attempted to read it several times but never get very far. One day I hope I’ll actually get around to finishing the book.
I think it’s likely that there are novels/short stories in his home somewhere.
This is sad, but I thought he died a long time ago. See how current I am?!?
I never read Catcher. I honestly don’t know what it’s about. I’ve been meaning to look it up but it’s not a priority. I think I will now though. Interesting.
Have a great weekend!
Jen
i shud read it. its fun not to know what ur post is gonna be about everyday. love how its always so interesting.
-cris
I read Catcher about 25 years ago….darned if I know the attraction to it. Frankly, I thought it was drivel. But then again I think Shakespear is highly over rated clap-trap.
If there are some manuscripts I am sure someone will profit & the way the media is nowdays they will be launched into the NYTimes #1 no matter if they are good or not!!
Have a Great Day!
Marilyn
xxoo
the catcher in the rye is one of my favorite books, i first read it in high school and have since read it over and over again.
very sad that he has passed on, perhaps they will find some unpublished work lying around.
glad I could make you smile….