Been on my shelf for years, just re-read Catcher, so dug in. Also was planning to go the Salinger exhibit at the NYPL, so somewhat Salinger obsessed these days.

I do not agree with the author's premise that Salinger manipulated his success by becoming a recluse -- now that is crazy! but a common point of view -- I did like reading/learning about the history of when he published what. I do agree with one of the GoodRead reviews that the author's premise probably stems from an underlying jealous. What writer wouldn't be jealous of J.D.? Either way, informative and made seeing the exhibit more interesting as well.

Highly recommend the exhibit -- in a small room, have to check everything including your cell. Serious fans should expect to spend at least 2 hours there. If you live in or near NYC, go before it closes in mid-January 2020.

"The New York Public Library presents a rare glimpse into the life and work of author J.D. Salinger with an exhibition of manuscripts, letters, photographs, books, and personal effects drawn exclusively from Salinger's archive. This will be the first time these items—on loan from the J.D. Salinger Literary Trust—have ever been shared with the public.

The exhibition is organized by Salinger's son Matt Salinger and widow Colleen Salinger with Declan Kiely, Director of Special Collections and Exhibitions at The New York Public Library. The free exhibition coincides with the centennial of J.D. Salinger's birth and will be on display October 18, 2019 through January 19, 2020 in the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III Gallery at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

The exhibition will feature more than 200 items spanning Salinger's life."

From the NYPL website https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitio...

Granted, it must be very difficult to write a biograpy about one of the most famous recluses in all of literature. However, it almost seemed as if Alexander were trying to complete a requisite number of pages, seeing as how he repeats his theories and ideas a million times. (Just like Holden!) This book didn't really tell me much that I couldn't find on wikipedia, but I still read the whole thing.

If I could give this book zero stars, I would. This is the worst biography I've ever "read" (I couldn't finish it, it was that bad). Alexander should be ashamed of himself.

While I found the information very compelling...I thought this was poorly written.

I really enjoyed reading about Salinger's life. He kept out of the public eye as much as he could which is unusual for a man as famous as him. The Catcher in the Rye is my favorite book of all time so I was thrilled with this biography. There were so many things that I did not know about J.D. Salinger. I am saddened that he stopped publishing his work because I am sure that whatever else he wrote is excellent. Franny and Zooey is also one of my favorite books. I am now glad to know more about Salinger's very interesting life. :)

Alexander gathered up the basic facts, interviewed a bunch of people and drew from Ian Hamilton's unpublished but archived research. But the writing is clunky and some of his conclusions are bizarre: Salinger, whose writing is often a laugh riot, doesn't have a keen sense of humor? Teddy kills his sister instead of the reverse? Salinger courted stalkers to fuel book sales? His preference for young adult women goes back to...when he was a young adult man? Do tell. Also, the cover is hideous.