It would be entirely inappropriate for me to not mention the passing of J. D. Salinger especially as he has an important influence on my own writing. But I'm an odd fan. Catcher in the Rye is my least favorite of the Salinger canon. Nine Stories, Raise High the Roofbeams... and Frannie and Zooey all appear on my list above Catcher in the Rye.
For me, Salinger captured the isolation and frustration of gifted people making their way through a world that didn't quite live up to their exceptions and hopes. In less capable hands, this friction between the world of the mind and the world of the real could come off as essentially elitist. But Salinger was able to present different ways people can deal with that friction, from something self-destructive as a bullet to the brain to simple mental breakdowns, to finding a way to pass in this world. Being smart, really smart wasn't necessarily an asset in Mr. Salinger's work.
My guess is that Salinger will become part of the Canon. My second daughter is taking her turn at Steinbeck's The Pearl. How that became part of the curriculum, I'll never know. I can hope that one day Steinbeck's seat will be vacated and Salinger can enjoy the view from he orchestra.
