J.D. Salinger, The Life and Work of a Reclusive, True Artist

"I love to write and I assure you I write regularly," Salinger said in a brief interview with the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate in 1980. "But I write for myself, for my own pleasure. And I want to be left alone to do it."

Today we mourn the loss of a reclusive, brilliant, and interesting legend, J.D. Salinger. I have, for years, been inspired by the work of J.D. Salinger, in particular The Cather in the Rye.

It is by far the most inspiring book I have ever read. Inspiring in the way that no other auther could have a character narrate a book with such realism. As you are reading, it as if you are getting to know Holden Caulfield, and can understand why he does the things he does. You begin to get to know him and think of him as an actual person narrating his own story; as if it is non-fiction and he is telling you about his adolescence, trials, tribulations, and everyday struggles:

"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield in Chapter 1, opening words of book

His demeanor and delivery is in such a funny way, that you will laugh out loud reading. Seriously.

J.D. Salinger created such a real character that he has continued to inspire people of all ages, and even horrify others. However, if the character of Holden Caulfield horrifies you, I encourage you to take a step back and loosen up. Teenagers rebel, get over it.

If you know nothing about J.D. Salinger, it's not too late. He, like many others, chose to stay out of the limelight and live in solitary. How nice, right? Learn about him, read his work, it won't be a waste of time.

"I was half in love with her by the time we sat down. That's the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty, even if they're not much to look at, or even if they're sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are. Girls. Jesus Christ. They can drive you crazy. They really can." ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 10

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