“J. D. Salinger: A Life” by Kenneth Slawenski is a good book. I had read “Catcher in the Rye” when in high school and re-read it as an adult. I had also read several books of his short stories. And then I followed his reclusive life in an occasional article. So I had an interest but fairly large gaps in my knowledge of Jerome David Salinger.
I had asked for this book as a Christmas present but I had asked for several books and it took me a few months before I tackled this one. The book was both more and less than I expected.
The less is no fault of the author. Since Salinger was a recluse for much of his life, there is much less biographical material than you would expect for someone of his stature. The more is discussed below.
Slawenski has devoted himself to the study of Salinger as both a man and an author. This biography is not just a biography of what was an interesting and unusual life but a study of the relationship between Salinger’s literary works and life.
As someone with knowledge of just some of Salinger’s works and the bare outline of his life I must admit the biographical aspects of this work interested me more. I found the coverage of his wartime experiences especially fascinating. I enjoyed some of the discussion of the relationship between life events and his literature but I must confess I read through these parts faster.
This book seems to me to be a very good biography, well written by an expert. I was less interested in the literary critique but I do agree with the author’s position that the life is not separate from the literature. I think the book does a wonderful job for those like me with a limited knowledge of Salinger’s life and works. I would think an expert would also find the literary analysis and biography fascinating.
So to put in in a sentence, the book is very good for someone like me but detailed enough to also satisfy the expert.
Here are a few blogs with additional reviews. These links open in new browser window (or a new tab in some browsers):
Just wanted to say thanks for linking to thelongestchapter regarding "J.D. Salinger: A Life." And also to say I agree the literary critiques in the book may be of less interest to those who either don't know Salinger's work or simply don't get into that kind of analysis.
I also like your review. A few weeks ago another blog (carpediemblogger) that reviewed a book I had reviewed added a link to my review and several others and I thought that was a good idea. Allows readers to see other reviews of the same book and maybe learn about a new blog. Everybody benefits.