J D Salinger dies...

[max_tranmere]

The man who wrote 'The Catcher In The Rye' has died. It was said to be one of the most influential books of its generation and it is said this book will be read for many years to come by future generations. The main character in the book, Holden Caulfield, is an outsider who arrives in the big city and has problems fitting in. The killer of John Lennon, Mark Chapman, was reading this book when he killed Lennon; the American serial killer Ted Bundy was reading it at the time he committed all the murders he did. I am almost afraid to read it! Anyway, Salinger is now gone. I wonder if the book will influence any future people to carry out savage acts. I hope not...

[Deano!]

Considering how many millions of copies it sold, I think the few nutters who happened to have read it and then did wrong doesn't make it a reliable way to incite yourself into criminal acts. Mark Chapman probably also read "Max Tranmere's Guide to Picking Up Chicks" - but you wouldn't blame that for the way he turned out!

[one eyed jack]

Says something about unhinged/ potential, practicing serial killers being intellectual...But then everyone knows most serial killers and unhinged folk are usually highly intelligent.

I've read Mein Kampf...Does that make me a Hitler sympathiser?

[Arginald Valleywater]

Read it a couple of years ago and was massively disappointed. For what is supposedly the the greatest American book ever it was a dry read and I thought the main character was a waster, not an anti hero. Supposedly Salinger had several more books waiting for publication but held them back after the success of Catcher. Odd that an author has a big seller and bottles it. Dan Brown please take note!

[max_tranmere]

I think Salinger was genuinely shocked by what some people (apparently) did as a result of reading his book. He lived as a recluse for the last few decades and it is said that is the main reason - he couldnt get over the fact some people did what they did after reading what he wrote. I think he wrote three more books but would have made so much money out of 'Catcher In The Rye' that he would have felt able to take his foot off the gas a bit. Rather like a lot of rock stars who suddenly get very rich, they lose interest in putting out quality work, or in some cases any work, as they are set for life.

Regarding 'Mein Kampf', I dont think it is a big deal for someone to have read it. Most will read it out of curiousity. The Labour politican Tony Benn has admitted having read it, and I dont see the big deal if it is just out of curious-ness. I have not read it. I wouldnt even know how to get a copy, it is obviously out of print. I heard that the one thing Hitler says in the book that most people quote is: "democracy inevitably leads to fascism". Interesting...

[RoddersUK]

Never heard of the twatt.
If it aint historical fact or fiction or naval/military fact/fiction I aint really interested.

Such readings as those that may or may not inflame someone to do someone or society harm are not for my bookshelf.

Because it had a Templar plot I read Browns Da Vinci Code, and what a fucking great load of arsewater it was, to quote Stephen Fry on QI.

I'm just a grumpy old fart now.

[RoddersUK]

Blast. Found out agin!