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 Central Park, The New Yorker, and Zen Buddhism
- Appendixes, including a chronology, a bibliography of Salinger's works, and a secondary source bibliography.
