Fall of J.D. Salinger

By Forward Staff August 20, 2013

Is J.D. Salinger over-exposure possible? Based on the late author’s reclusive life and limited output you would think not, but this fall might convince you otherwise.

On September 6 Shane Salerno’s much anticipated and highly secretive bio-pic, “Salinger,” will hit theaters. It will be accompanied by a book, also by Salerno along with David Shields, and also titled “Salinger,” that will hit shelves September 3.

And to top it off, the Morgan Library and Museum will be exhibiting nine letters written by Salinger to Canadian writer Marjorie Sheard, from between 1941 and 1943. That show opens September 10.

Will this onslaught of Salengeriana answer any questions about why the author stopped writing and made such a complete retreat from public life? And if it does, will that ruin the mystique of the man beloved for books like “Franny and Zooey” and “The Catcher in the Rye”? Is it possible to have it both ways? Well, in a couple of weeks we’ll know.

Watch the trailer for ‘Salinger’:

The Forward’s staff contributors are listed in our masthead.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO