J.D. Salinger’s published works were fairly limited.   He only published four books total (two books, one pair of novellas, and a collection of short stories), but when one of your books is The Catcher in the Rye, one book is all you need.  After all, that perennially popular novel has sold upwards of 65 million copies and, to this day, remains one of the most controversial and most discussed books ever published.  It’s no wonder that Salinger decided to fade into obscurity a few years after the book was published.  However, Salinger was supposed to have written religiously ever day, and may have left behind a treasure trove of unpublished works in a safe.

The idea of Salinger’s life fascinates me.  Did he make enough money off of his big hit to live without having to work forever, or did he quietly reenter the workforce after his fade from the public spotlight.  Why did he never publish again?  Did he just enjoy being famous for being reclusive moreso than the fame of being an author, or was he afraid he’d be unable to match his masterwork and thus decided not to try?

If it was me, and I somehow penned one of the great American novels, I don’t think I’d try to follow it up.  You can only let people (and yourself) down by comparison.  One big hit and then I’d be done.  No need to leave behind a big trail of mediocrity in my wake.

Tags: eulogies, literary greats, J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, obituaries, reclusive authors, the great American novel

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