Pondering

Lomanno (lomanno@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 17 Sep 1998 09:46:27 -0400

Wow! I just read the New York Times articles on JD, and I must say they
hit me kind of hard. I don't think I've ever read anything that directly
quotes Salinger, and in his few well-chosen comments he comes across as
a kind, eloquent, and intelligent man. Not that I thought differently
before, but I guess what surprised me was his peaceful tone. I
always assumed he was kind of abrasive, since the only contact anyone
has ever had with him was unwanted. But when he CHOOSES to speak, he
really seems nice (well, now I just sound like a total sap). 

For a brief moment while reading the articles, I wondered whether I
should quit the list and leave him alone. In fact, I've often wondered
what he would think if he read our list: would he hate it like he hated
the Holden Web Site? Or would he not mind so much, since we only 
speculate on his stories and don't quote from them or intrude on his 
personal life. Then I wondered how he would feel about a Salinger course
in college? I would hate to devote my career to a writer who would
rather be boiled in oil than to be talked about in a public forum. I
should think he'd be alright with it as long as his personal life never
got involved, but who knows?

Well, now I'm just rambling. I guess my dilemma (and reading those 
articles just brought these feelings to light) is that I'm becoming
too sentimental about the MAN Salinger, and it's causing me to wonder
whether I should just shut up and let his stories be. If I knew what 
Salinger himself would want, I would do it. But since I will probably
never know, I'll assume everything's OK until he tries to sue me!

--Kari