Re: Sunday Times article
Byrd, Steven T (BYRDS@papa.uncp.edu)
Tue, 23 Mar 1999 14:31:18 +0000
the idea of manuscript burning is one that I've not seen any real evidence
of, or heard any credible back up for. it's just a classic (bordering on
cliched) image of the fed-up or certifiably insane writer frantically
tossing typewritten (or even handwritten if he's REALLY eccentric) manuscripts
onto a raging fire by the arm loads, his life's work gone up in flames,
under the moon light. hopefully with wolves howling in the distance, or
something I think it's more of an urban legend (or urbane legend) than
anything, and it makes the "Salinger myth" that much more pseudo-romantic and
frantic and overly tragic. but frantic-ness is idiocy, save over-the-top
tragedy for the Smiths and the Cure, and Salinger the man is about as
"romantic" as a leaky dam. it's just too made up sounding for me. the only
other time I've heard anything like this was with Golgol's work, but it's not
like I was there or anything...