by IVANNA COELLO
Author J.D. Salinger as a child. PHOTO: Simon and Schuster (Public Domain)
J.D. Salinger was an American author best known for his novel, The Catcher in the Rye. He was born on January 1, 1919 in New York City and died January 27, 2010 at the age of 91 due to natural causes.
His novel The Catcher in the Rye is about a teenage boy, Holden Caulfield, who has run away from home after being expelled from his boarding school. As the book’s narrator, Holden Caulfield talks about the adventures he has in New York City and recalls his troubles.
The Catcher in the Rye remains J.D. Salinger’s best known literary work. It was highly praised by critics, specifically the New York Times, which wrote that it was “an unusually brilliant first novel.” Yet, it also sparked controversy in many high schools in the United States during the 1970s. The book has been banned by some school districts across the country, for reasons ranging from offensive language to promoting youth rebellion. It has, ironically, become a classic piece of educational literature for today’s generation. In other words, no student finishes high school without reading it.
While his work made him a notable writer, J.D.Salinger was also known for his isolated personality. He avoided the limelight and stepped back from his fame and success. His main goal was to concentrate on his work. For many years, he was able to protect his privacy and the importance of his work without being interrupted.
