Harper Lee was similarly silent after writing To Kill a Mockingbird. It's not surprising that some authors only have a single, truly great novel in them (we should all be so lucky). After that, everything they write they consider pedestrian, so why publish it?
Like Salinger's later efforts, Harper Lee published Go See a Watchman in 2015 to mediocre reviews, at best.
I was recently talking with someone about John Updike as a talented writer who ended up seeming like a big disappointment to many people. (Why in the world is he writing a book about adultery? And his libido in general? Again???) If you imagine Updike limiting himself to a Salinger-like 800 lifetime pages, assuming they were some of his better 800 pages, his reputation would be far better than it now is.
I say all of this to agree that "why publish it?" is a great question to ask. Some writers would answer that they need to pay bills, and to them I say, "Publish. Pay those bills." If that's not a consideration, though, as it wasn't for some of these writers, some manuscripts would be better kept in a Word doc or a desk drawer than sent to an agent.
Yeah....it is certainly a puzzle for someone who was so very careful -- or so it seemed -- with whatever he published to go overboard as he seemed to here. Unless, as that writer suggested, he was after something else, something he hadn't done before. I'm curious to see -- if we ever will -- the posthumous stuff that his son is supposedly wading through. Great comment, thanks
I've read "Hapworth" twice, decades apart. The time between didn't make it any less of a slog to get through. But your essay was very insightful, thank you. There was a little book published in 1977 titled "Zen in the Art of J.D. Salinger" which traces the development and progression of Zen concepts in Salinger's writing. There are traces of it even in "Catcher" and the early short stories, according to the book. By "Hapworth" it was full-blown. So who knows how readable or publishable the post-"Hapworth" material is?
That’s such a wonderful, thoughtful comment. Having read and taught Salinger, I am really curious if he really took fiction somewhere else. Truly appreciate your kind words and response
I showed that interview with Matt Salinger to my students as sophomores (who graduated last year) the last time I was able to easily teach Catcher in Florida. I have hopes to teach it again, with approval. Kids love it and can relate. I have higher hopes that the work will be published. I will read Hapworth this summer. Thanks. Great article!
Harper Lee was similarly silent after writing To Kill a Mockingbird. It's not surprising that some authors only have a single, truly great novel in them (we should all be so lucky). After that, everything they write they consider pedestrian, so why publish it?
Like Salinger's later efforts, Harper Lee published Go See a Watchman in 2015 to mediocre reviews, at best.
I was recently talking with someone about John Updike as a talented writer who ended up seeming like a big disappointment to many people. (Why in the world is he writing a book about adultery? And his libido in general? Again???) If you imagine Updike limiting himself to a Salinger-like 800 lifetime pages, assuming they were some of his better 800 pages, his reputation would be far better than it now is.
I say all of this to agree that "why publish it?" is a great question to ask. Some writers would answer that they need to pay bills, and to them I say, "Publish. Pay those bills." If that's not a consideration, though, as it wasn't for some of these writers, some manuscripts would be better kept in a Word doc or a desk drawer than sent to an agent.
Yeah....it is certainly a puzzle for someone who was so very careful -- or so it seemed -- with whatever he published to go overboard as he seemed to here. Unless, as that writer suggested, he was after something else, something he hadn't done before. I'm curious to see -- if we ever will -- the posthumous stuff that his son is supposedly wading through. Great comment, thanks
I've read "Hapworth" twice, decades apart. The time between didn't make it any less of a slog to get through. But your essay was very insightful, thank you. There was a little book published in 1977 titled "Zen in the Art of J.D. Salinger" which traces the development and progression of Zen concepts in Salinger's writing. There are traces of it even in "Catcher" and the early short stories, according to the book. By "Hapworth" it was full-blown. So who knows how readable or publishable the post-"Hapworth" material is?
That’s such a wonderful, thoughtful comment. Having read and taught Salinger, I am really curious if he really took fiction somewhere else. Truly appreciate your kind words and response
I'm also extremely curious! I do hope his son hasn't abandoned the plan to release posthumous works.
Hey! Post something. I saw Bob Dylan in Hamilton years ago. Happy Holidays.
Wow. A quality of writing seldom seen in places where you don't have to get past an editor.
I showed that interview with Matt Salinger to my students as sophomores (who graduated last year) the last time I was able to easily teach Catcher in Florida. I have hopes to teach it again, with approval. Kids love it and can relate. I have higher hopes that the work will be published. I will read Hapworth this summer. Thanks. Great article!
Great essay!!!! Need to read it a couple more times, and I am going to look for Hapworth. Thanks for the link!