Wednesday, May 18, 2005

It Must Be Said

Too long i have been hearing people bash Catcher in the Rye and other Salinger work. I love Salinger - i don't care if you think Holden is a whiny bitch or Franny and Zooey are way too self absorbed pseudo-intellectuals spouting Eastern platitudes or if there something wrong with a book that psychos choose to carry around while trying to assassinate people.
Have you read Salinger's writing? The man can write about dog poop and i would still defend him and re-read him. I read Catcher in the Rye in seventh grade - i was in love with Holden and his hate for the phonies for 3.5 years. But that's not why i am defending the book, look i don't want to marry Holden or discuss deep important things with Franny - i do however adore re-reading For Esme, With Love and Squalor or A Perfect Day for Bananafish. The man can in 1.5 sentences reveal so much about a character, situation, motivation - what it takes most writers 25 pages to do. I'm writing from work - so this post is lame and without examples. Maybe tonight there will be an update with examples of the gorgeous writing.

Post inspired by Sara's post (and other comments and conversations i have observed recently). With who i mostly agree and find a fantastic writer in her own right.

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