Summary
J.D. Salinger, who died in January 2010, was not only one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, he was also one of the most mysterious. His novel The Catcher in the Rye has influenced generations of Americans, and his stories and novellas are widely read and taught in schools.
Critical Companion to J.D. Salinger is a comprehensive new book that examines the life and work of this prolific author as well as some of the themes that can be found in his writing.
Coverage includes:
- A concise but thorough biography of Salinger
- Entries on all of Salinger's works, including The Catcher in the Rye, the classic stories in the collection Nine Stories (including "A Perfect Day for Bananafish"), Franny and Zooey, "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters," and more. Each entry contains subentries on the work's main characters (including Holden Caulfield, Seymour Glass, and more)
- Entries on related people, places, and topics, such as Franz Kafka, Central Park, The New Yorker, and Zen Buddhism
- Appendixes, including a chronology, a bibliography of Salinger's works, and a secondary source bibliography.
Specifications
Black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Index. Appendixes. Bibliographies. Cross-references. Chronology.
About the Author(s)
Bruce F. Mueller holds an M.A. in English literature and creative writing from San Francisco State University. He is an independent Salinger scholar living in San Francisco.
Will Hochman is professor of English at Southern Connecticut State University and received his Ph.D. from New York University. He is the coeditor of Letters to J.D. Salinger.