Re: Number 64
Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Fri, 24 Jul 1998 10:49:39 +1000
> I am a big Salinger backer like most on the list, but I *DO* agree with
> the sentiment here: Salinger is still considered, like it or not, a
minor
> figure in the 20th Century Literary landscape.
By whom? I think the fact that in the reader's Top 100 TCIR jumped from
Number 64 on the critic's list to Number 2 on the Reader's list says a lot
to me. I heard a wonderful quote about this phenomena the other day but
foolishly neglected to write it down - something like `It's the critics
that tell you how to paint but we're the ones who have to look at it' -
i.e. I think ultimately I'd rather have 1 enraptured reader than 5
enraptured critics.
But I do agree with you, the literati find it difficult to include in the
pantheon a man who has only produced one published novel. It irritates me a
little though - I mean, something like 10% of Sappho's poetry has actually
reached us and there's no doubting she's a genius. The same goes for Emily
Bronte.
> While Catcher has stood the
> test of time, it probably doesn't deserve in 20th Century
English-written
> novel scheme of the things, at best, much higher than a top 20 spot,
Perhaps - but I still think the popular impact of a book should be taken
into account just as much as, say, its critical reception. Few books have
had such a profound impact on so many people as `Catcher' My mother looked
at that Top 100 list and said `I haven't *heard* of half these people!' And
that should count for some small part.
Coming in to bat for the amateur reader ...
Camille
verona_beach@geocities.com
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