Hi! Just found out about this beautiful mailing list when I was having a hellish time with Spenser's 'Epithalamion' and looking for some info on the net. Wasn't even looking for JD stuff and when 'Bananafish' came up it was really what I needed. Serendipity. An especially good moment because for years I have been turning to Salinger's stuff when I needed a little spiritual regeneration and I needed something to remind me of that. I have loved Salinger ever since I was 8 or 9 and my Dad read me 'The Laughing Man' as a bedtime story. So, for all you people discussing whether the Chief was right to destroy their hero like that, all I can say is he was my hero too, and I wasn't angry when the story was sudenly ended... only sad. Beautiful and it set me on a path I will probably follow for the rest of my life. The thing about people's favourite covers... I think the first one you find always holds a special place in your heart. I have some English Penguin editions which are plain matt colours and the title on them in "handwriting". I love them to bits and only wish I had the matching edition of "For Esme". Although my copy of "Esme" is pretty special too, as it has the last two pages missing and so for years I didn't know what happened at the end of the story about the little boy on the boat - it was so amazing when I finally read the complete version. Aargh, I have been away from JD too long - I can't believe I can't remember that title. Anyway, that's just my introduction. Thanks for soothing my spirits when I most needed it. Love and jelly beans, Lucy-Ruth ---------------------- LR Pearson, Arts 99 lp9616@bristol.ac.uk