Salinger (book)
| Company type | Biography book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 2013 |
| Founder | David Shields, Shane Salerno |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Biography book about J. D. Salinger |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
Salinger is a best-selling biography published by Simon & Schuster in September 2013, authored by David Shields and Shane Salerno. This oral biography delves into the life of the elusive American writer J. D. Salinger, emphasizing his experiences during World War II, struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, literary career, withdrawal from the public eye, spiritual beliefs, and interactions with adolescent girls.
Upon release, Salinger entered the New York Times bestsellers list at position #6, maintaining a presence for three weeks. It also secured the top spot on the Los Angeles Times bestseller chart and appeared on lists curated by NPR, Independent Booksellers, and Barnes & Noble. The book was honored as Amazon's Best Book of the Month in September 2013, earned starred accolades from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, and was chosen for both the Book of the Month Club and History Book Club selections that same month.
Complementing the book, the documentary Salinger was broadcast as the 200th installment of American Masters on PBS.
Background
On January 29, 2013, The New York Times revealed that Simon & Schuster had secured publishing rights for the biography. Jonathan Karp, Simon & Schuster’s publisher, remarked: "We are privileged to publish what we anticipate will become the definitive work on one of the 20th century’s most cherished and enigmatic personalities. Countless readers of The Catcher in the Rye have longed to understand its creator more deeply. Now, that opportunity has arrived."
This volume marks David Shields' seventeenth publication and represents the debut book from author, screenwriter, and producer Shane Salerno. Salerno's fascination originated in childhood after engaging with Salinger's writings and learning about his seclusion in rural New Hampshire, where he continued writing daily but vowed never to publish again. While researching Salinger’s life and developing a documentary project, Salerno discovered an abundance of material exceeding what could be conveyed through film alone. The comprehensive biography emerged after a decade of work and over 200 interviews conducted across five continents.
Response
Scott Bowles from USA Today awarded Salinger 3½ out of 4 stars, describing it as "eloquently crafted and meticulously researched," deeming it "an unequivocal triumph" that offers an unparalleled portrayal of an American icon. Lev Grossman of Time commended its extensive decade-long investigation and illuminating insights into Salinger's personal challenges. John Walsh from The Sunday Times labeled it "a monumental achievement." David Ulin of the Los Angeles Times emphasized how the biography exposes aspects of Salinger's reclusive existence beyond his literary genius.
The Associated Press characterized it as "comprehensively documented," revealing previously unpublished details. Tina Jordan at Entertainment Weekly assigned a B− rating, acknowledging its wealth of primary sources but critiquing its occasionally unwieldy presentation. Kirkus Reviews praised it as a "deeply revealing biography," while Laura Miller in Salon valued its candid approach to Salinger's imperfections and their influence on his oeuvre. Jeff Simon from Buffalo News described it as an "indispensable volume" offering unprecedented insights. Tucker Shaw at The Denver Post referred to it as an "exhaustively detailed depiction" of the reclusive novelist.
Critical opinions varied: Carl Rollyson writing for The Wall Street Journal found it engaging but more akin to a scrapbook than a unified narrative, suggesting future biographers might better synthesize its content. Michiko Kakutani in The New York Times lauded its source compilation but criticized its sprawling, collage-like form and occasional scholarly lapses. Sam Leith in The Guardian acknowledged valuable new information but described it as a "frustrating mix." Martin Rubin at The Washington Times noted that much content lacked direct connection to Salinger's literary output but still found the book consistently captivating.
Louis Bayard from The Washington Post highlighted its thorough account of Salinger's wartime service but pointed out omissions such as a missing index, incomplete endnotes, factual inaccuracies, and an unclear narrative flow. Pat Padua in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer harshly criticized it as "poorly executed," citing subpar editing and writing quality. Cornel Bonca in the Los Angeles Review of Books recognized valuable raw data and compelling moments but described it as bloated and heavy-handed—a patchwork effort with a harsh tone. Andrew Romano from The Daily Beast found intriguing revelations yet felt the biography did not fully capture Salinger's essence.
By August 2018, Amazon reviews averaged 3.6 out of 5 stars, indicating generally favorable reception tempered by noted critiques.
Further reading
- Gopnik, Adam (September 5, 2013). Who Was J. D. Salinger. New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/who-was-j-d-salinger