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NEWS > BUSINESS > CATCHER IN THE RYE SEQUEL IN QUESTION FOLLOWING DEATH OF J.D. SALINGER
CATCHER IN THE RYE SEQUEL IN QUESTION FOLLOWING DEATH OF J.D. SALINGER
January 28 2010
Cornish, NH – Every now and then and piece of art comes around that grabs the attention of the entire world. The Mona Lisa, Beethoven’s 5th symphony, Beowulf, and a handful of other works fit that description, works so impressive, so awe
inspiring that they not only represent the best of their respective mediums, but also the greatest comment on, and of, the human condition. While only time will tell what works of the 20th century will stand amongst those other luminaries, one book though has been on that shortlist for a long time now, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’.
Published in 1951, ‘Catcher’ become an instant best seller and critical hit. Over the years the book has gained more than a cult following, becoming in many ways a touchstone for all young people, many of whom indentify personally with the life and travails of Holden Caulfield, now more or less the archetype for real life teenagers. That power and influence wasn’t lost on the author of the book, J.D. Salinger, who has published only sparingly since the release. While his reasons for pulling out the limelight remain mysterious to this day his absence from the public realm has only increased his celebrity and that of his most famous work. Now though, with his death at the age of 91, it appears that the long awaited sequel will never make it to book shelves.
“Despite having broken his hip in May, his health had been excellent until a rather sudden decline after the new year. He was not in any pain before or at the time of his death,” said Salinger’s literary representatives Harold Ober Associates. “We all know his reputation and the enormous influence his works have had on popular culture and individuals and Mr. Salinger was well aware of that effect. Upon his death we honor not only his works, but the man himself. We do however ask that fans respect the Mr. Salinger in death the way they did in life and respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Salinger never wrote another novel after ‘Catcher’, though published a selection of short stories and novellas, something he apparently wished to change.
“From what I have heard a big part of the reason he remained so reclusive and the reason he eschewed the celebrity that accompanied Catcher was a result of this belief that he could never quite live up to that particular work, something that is thoroughly understandable,” said Scrape TV Literary analyst Samuel Lee. “Not that he didn’t try though. There were a lot of attempts to mount a sequel over the years but he could apparently just never get it right. There was more than a legacy he was protecting last year when he made the stink about the unauthorized sequel, it was future potential. Considering his age though one would think that he would have realized that there wasn’t much more time left to finish.”
The sequel was successfully challenged in court last year but is currently pending appeal, an outcome now up in the air following Salinger’s death.
“The issue for that book is whether or not Salinger was able to compile enough material to actually make a book. It’s just too bad that he didn’t live long enough to see it hit the book shelves,” continued Lee. “I’m sure the last thing he would have wanted was this sequel that is now almost sixty years in the making published without his assent or promotion. It would have been something to see him out there on the interview circuit.”
James Cameron is reportedly pursuing an option on the original novel as a follow-up to his 3-D hit ‘Avatar’.
William Ashford, Business Correspondent
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