Comments on: My earliest (and most enduring) source of inspiration. http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:15:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: featherbed http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-38808 featherbed Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:48:21 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-38808 Really funny quote :) Really funny quote :)

]]> By: colleen http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-37607 colleen Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:18:57 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-37607 thanks for reminding me to give my little nephew my Catcher copy to read when he is around that age, too. He is 5. Thanks, you're great. thanks for reminding me to give my little nephew my Catcher copy to read when he is around that age, too. He is 5. Thanks, you’re great.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-37341 Kathryn Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:40:11 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-37341 My favorite author as well. He will be very missed in our home. I named my daughter Zoe as a tribute to Franny and Zooey. I wanted to name her Zoe Frances but was voted out, unfortunately. I realized I had something great on my hands when I was caught reading "Catcher" in school when I was 12. My teacher confiscated the book from me for the entire year (this was the deep south). From then on, I devoured every one of his books with glee. They are all so lovely. My favorite author as well. He will be very missed in our home. I named my daughter Zoe as a tribute to Franny and Zooey. I wanted to name her Zoe Frances but was voted out, unfortunately. I realized I had something great on my hands when I was caught reading “Catcher” in school when I was 12. My teacher confiscated the book from me for the entire year (this was the deep south). From then on, I devoured every one of his books with glee. They are all so lovely.

]]> By: Denise http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36792 Denise Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:12:00 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36792 A few wondered why CITR isn't read in high school today. It is, in AP English 11, which is a standardized national course. My daughter just finished it a few weeks ago, and from what I can observe, had little reaction to it. I have to be honest, I didn't have a strong, lifelong reaction either, though many I know did. "My" book was (and still is) Wuthering Heights. A few wondered why CITR isn’t read in high school today. It is, in AP English 11, which is a standardized national course.
My daughter just finished it a few weeks ago, and from what I can observe, had little reaction to it. I have to be honest, I didn’t have a strong, lifelong reaction either, though many I know did. “My” book was (and still is) Wuthering Heights.

]]> By: vintage simple http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36712 vintage simple Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:31:44 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36712 What a wonderful tribute, Anna. Beautifully written. -maria What a wonderful tribute, Anna. Beautifully written.

-maria

]]> By: tolmsted http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36710 tolmsted Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:25:03 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36710 I found out about Salinger's death yesterday on the ride home listening to NPR. Franny & Zooey is my favorite book, and is the book I most often recommend and give to friends. In college I made a pilgrimage to the NY Public Library in order to print out "Hapworth 16, 1924" from microfilm. And while I can't say I'm saddened by his death - 91 is a good run - I am hoping now that critics will finally be able to step back and give his work the credit it has always deserved. While I have always respected his right and desire for privacy, sometimes I feel that his work has been obscured by his personality and reputation as a recluse. For so many he has been defined by Catcher in the Rye - when it is my belief that he was/is one of America's best short story writers. If anyone reading this has only Catcher as a reference point - then I sincerely recommend picking up one of his other books (short story collections). Thank you for the post Anna. I found out about Salinger’s death yesterday on the ride home listening to NPR. Franny & Zooey is my favorite book, and is the book I most often recommend and give to friends. In college I made a pilgrimage to the NY Public Library in order to print out “Hapworth 16, 1924″ from microfilm. And while I can’t say I’m saddened by his death – 91 is a good run – I am hoping now that critics will finally be able to step back and give his work the credit it has always deserved. While I have always respected his right and desire for privacy, sometimes I feel that his work has been obscured by his personality and reputation as a recluse.

For so many he has been defined by Catcher in the Rye – when it is my belief that he was/is one of America’s best short story writers. If anyone reading this has only Catcher as a reference point – then I sincerely recommend picking up one of his other books (short story collections).

Thank you for the post Anna.

]]> By: Rachel Kay http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36705 Rachel Kay Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:11:35 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36705 I was so saddened by this. I found out yesterday through my boyfriend. He was at a work table quiz to raise money for Haiti, and the question came up about what author had died that day. He texted me straight away as he knows what a fan I am of Salinger's work. When I was a kid my dad gave me his copies of all the books from when he was young , and I still have them. My first Christmas present to my boyfriend was a lovely hardback edition of Nine Stories. I think I'll be reading these books forever, there's nothing like them. All I can say is that at least he lived a long life, and that I hope it was one he was happy in. I was so saddened by this. I found out yesterday through my boyfriend. He was at a work table quiz to raise money for Haiti, and the question came up about what author had died that day. He texted me straight away as he knows what a fan I am of Salinger’s work.
When I was a kid my dad gave me his copies of all the books from when he was young , and I still have them. My first Christmas present to my boyfriend was a lovely hardback edition of Nine Stories. I think I’ll be reading these books forever, there’s nothing like them.
All I can say is that at least he lived a long life, and that I hope it was one he was happy in.

]]> By: Anna at D16 http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36693 Anna at D16 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:02:30 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36693 <b>Dan:</b> No controversy--actually, I think you nailed it. I've compared the Tenenbaums to the Glass family myself, in fact (I actually think the first words out of my mouth after leaving the theater were, "Richie sure is a lot like Seymour, isn't he?"), and I do believe that it's impossible to <i>not</i> be influenced by Salinger's voice (or at least the voices of his characters) in one's own writing, filmmaking, or other creative endeavor. There is no way to walk away from Holden Caulfield or Franny Glass and not feel just a little bit validated by them. Also, just a general note to everyone who read Salinger's books when they were young: Go back and read them again now. It's shocking how different they are when read with an adult's perspective. (Why don't schools require that kids read Salinger, anyway? I've never understood that. He is one of the greatest American authors of all time. Are we really still <i>that</i> afraid of angst, ennui, and depression? A: Yes.) Dan: No controversy–actually, I think you nailed it. I’ve compared the Tenenbaums to the Glass family myself, in fact (I actually think the first words out of my mouth after leaving the theater were, “Richie sure is a lot like Seymour, isn’t he?”), and I do believe that it’s impossible to not be influenced by Salinger’s voice (or at least the voices of his characters) in one’s own writing, filmmaking, or other creative endeavor. There is no way to walk away from Holden Caulfield or Franny Glass and not feel just a little bit validated by them.

Also, just a general note to everyone who read Salinger’s books when they were young: Go back and read them again now. It’s shocking how different they are when read with an adult’s perspective.

(Why don’t schools require that kids read Salinger, anyway? I’ve never understood that. He is one of the greatest American authors of all time. Are we really still that afraid of angst, ennui, and depression? A: Yes.)

]]> By: Richard http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36686 Richard Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:38:02 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36686 That man sure had integrity. I'm glad he stuck to his guns That man sure had integrity. I’m glad he stuck to his guns

]]> By: Jillian http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36685 Jillian Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:37:42 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36685 I read Catcher in the Rye in high school (when I realized, shocked, that no one was going to make us read it), and Franny & Zooey and Nine Stories in college. F&Z was one of those books from which, out of nowhere I will recall a random quote or scene. It has simply stuck with me in my sub-conscious all these years. I read Catcher in the Rye in high school (when I realized, shocked, that no one was going to make us read it), and Franny & Zooey and Nine Stories in college. F&Z was one of those books from which, out of nowhere I will recall a random quote or scene. It has simply stuck with me in my sub-conscious all these years.

]]> By: dkzody http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36683 dkzody Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:18:11 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36683 I've been discussing this with my students all day. Most didn't know who Salinger was nor had read his books. Sad. I’ve been discussing this with my students all day. Most didn’t know who Salinger was nor had read his books. Sad.

]]> By: mommy http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36681 mommy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:52:25 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36681 I thought about you when I saw the news this morning. Having just read that interesting essay by Michael Bierut, I wonder how to consciously design a book cover that will remain so special? I wonder how much the content affects the way we see the cover? I've noticed that I seem to remember the exact color of certain books forever. I thought about you when I saw the news this morning.

Having just read that interesting essay by Michael Bierut, I wonder how to consciously design a book cover that will remain so special? I wonder how much the content affects the way we see the cover? I’ve noticed that I seem to remember the exact color of certain books forever.

]]> By: Dan http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36680 Dan Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:43:22 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36680 Anna, thanks for bringing this to my attention. Somehow with Haiti-State of the Union- Republicans abusing the filibuster- Heidi's friggin plastic surgery-- I managed to miss this piece of news. I'll admit, I've only read two of those four books. And only once. But they do make an enormous and lasting impression. And Salinger's right-- Catcher in the Rye could not be a good movie. Not to mention that the literary presence of the book just couldn't be given its proper attention in a film, too many people have far too many ideas about who Holden is, and that internal notion of him is way too important and way too personal to distill into a single character onscreen. The best way, maybe, to pay tribute to his work is to use his mammoth literary shadow as inspiration without attempting to copy it. I like Wes Anderson's incarnation of the Glass family in The Royal Tenenbaums, for example. Maybe that's too controversial to say here. But to make a movie of a Salinger story would be sort of sinful, even with the best of intentions. A death is always sad, but at least comfort can be taken in the quality of his incredible and indelible legacy. Anna, thanks for bringing this to my attention. Somehow with Haiti-State of the Union- Republicans abusing the filibuster- Heidi’s friggin plastic surgery– I managed to miss this piece of news.

I’ll admit, I’ve only read two of those four books. And only once. But they do make an enormous and lasting impression. And Salinger’s right– Catcher in the Rye could not be a good movie. Not to mention that the literary presence of the book just couldn’t be given its proper attention in a film, too many people have far too many ideas about who Holden is, and that internal notion of him is way too important and way too personal to distill into a single character onscreen. The best way, maybe, to pay tribute to his work is to use his mammoth literary shadow as inspiration without attempting to copy it. I like Wes Anderson’s incarnation of the Glass family in The Royal Tenenbaums, for example. Maybe that’s too controversial to say here. But to make a movie of a Salinger story would be sort of sinful, even with the best of intentions.

A death is always sad, but at least comfort can be taken in the quality of his incredible and indelible legacy.

]]> By: Justine http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36679 Justine Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:56:30 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36679 "The apartment below mine had the only balcony of the house. I saw a girl standing on it, completely submerged in the pool of autumn twilight. She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together." “The apartment below mine had the only balcony of the house. I saw a girl standing on it, completely submerged in the pool of autumn twilight. She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.”

]]> By: Mary-Ellen http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36677 Mary-Ellen Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:43:30 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36677 This really ruined my day. At least his legacy of characters will live on forever. Every time I pass the pond in Central Park, I wonder, as Holden did, what happens to the ducks in winter? This really ruined my day.

At least his legacy of characters will live on forever. Every time I pass the pond in Central Park, I wonder, as Holden did, what happens to the ducks in winter?

]]> By: Kim http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36675 Kim Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:01:50 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36675 I devoured all of those books, too. I named my two cats Franny and Zooey. They are brother and sister. I devoured all of those books, too. I named my two cats Franny and Zooey. They are brother and sister.

]]> By: Anna at D16 http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36673 Anna at D16 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:43:47 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36673 <b>Chris & Tasha:</b> Both of those covers predate the contract stipulation. The latter of the two (the one on Amazon) is a reissue of the original cover design. Michael Bierut wrote <a href="http://observatory.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=2017" rel="nofollow">an excellent essay</a> on the history of the cover of TCITR that you might find interesting!! Chris & Tasha: Both of those covers predate the contract stipulation. The latter of the two (the one on Amazon) is a reissue of the original cover design.

Michael Bierut wrote an excellent essay on the history of the cover of TCITR that you might find interesting!!

]]> By: jenna/sweet fine day http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36672 jenna/sweet fine day Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:42:23 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36672 Beautiful post Anna. Thanks. Beautiful post Anna. Thanks.

]]> By: Tasha http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36670 Tasha Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:33:11 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36670 I like the simple covers, but I'd never heard that they were the result of a contract stipulation. Thanks for that info! I have, however, seen this cover of "Catcher in the Rye" everywhere: http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=deabulmai-20&qid=1233249609&sr=1-1 I wonder what's the deal there? I like the simple covers, but I’d never heard that they were the result of a contract stipulation. Thanks for that info! I have, however, seen this cover of “Catcher in the Rye” everywhere: http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=deabulmai-20&qid=1233249609&sr=1-1

I wonder what’s the deal there?

]]> By: Brismod http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/28/my-earliest-and-most-enduring-source-of-inspiration/#comment-36669 Brismod Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:26:52 +0000 http://www.doorsixteen.com/?p=999#comment-36669 Anna, you wrote a nice tribute on an important 20th century writer. I think that letter he wrote to Mr Herbert summed him up perfectly. Anna, you wrote a nice tribute on an important 20th century writer. I think that letter he wrote to Mr Herbert summed him up perfectly.

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