Subject: RE: Paul Alexander's book
ZazieZazie@hetnet.nl
Date: Mon Aug 13 2001 - 08:33:25 GMT
-----Original Message-----
"Matthew Jones"
I was surprised two days ago to receive a present from my son in the US -
Paul Alexander's biography of Salinger. I read it that evening, although I
was a little wary of intruding into the man's life. I was unimpressed by the
book. Alexander's theory is essentially that Salinger is in hiding because
he wants to romance teenage girls. He constantly repeats that theory. Yet
apart from Joyce Maynard, who was over 18 anyway, there is no other evidence
that Salinger has done anything of the sort - only nasty rumours.
##There is, of course, the literary indication. Esmé, Sybil, on the one hand and Mattie and Phoebe on
##other hand. This indicates an interest in relationships between young girls and older men.
##BUT, I'll be the first to admit, that they are just indications. It is almost as if JDS wanted to
##prove that it is possible for two people to have such a relationship, without it being a
##'bad' one, let alone a sexual one. And maybe we have to think about the current obsession
##media and everybody with pedophilic relations. Maybe this society-of-today-factor is the
##most important one, when we judge JDS's writings. Whatever!!
##All I know is, I really wanted to be Esmé when i read the story. Older guys ... i don't know about
##that, some girls i know like em, some don't. Like it is with everything.
Zazie.
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