On this day...

J. D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye' is published in 1951. Salinger's first, and only, full length novel, the work immediately initiated at once both the controversy and the fame which was to dog the reclusive Salinger until the end of his life earlier this year. Citing the use of vulgar language, blasphemy, and a loose moral depiction, the novel was the most censored book in high schools and libraries in the United States between 1961 and 1982, and the tenth most frequently challenged book from 1990–1999.

Yet fans say otherwise. To many, it is an embodiment of teenage life, an explorative journey through the mind of a troubled adolescent that resonates throughout the generations. However, for some the book holds more sombre connotations - that John Lennon's assassination, as killer Mark Chapman was arrested with the novel, and even gave out signed copies from his cell. Translated into 'almost all the world's major languages', 'The Catcher in the Rye' remains the ultimate marmite book - hated by some, loved by others - whichever way, it is sure to evoke a reaction.

People never believe you...

A book, banned for advertising itself as the sequel to J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye', is being allowed to appeal the decision. '60 Years Later: Coming Through The Rye', written by Swedish novelist Fredrik Colting, was banned in July last year for too closely mirroring Salinger's 1951 masterpiece, including the use of protagonist 'Mr. C' - an easily identifiable reference to antihero Holden Caulfield. Yet despite permitting the appeals process, the courts appear to believe that Salinger's estate will win out, declaring the case 'readily established in his favour'.

People never give your message to anybody...

Aspects of J.D. Salinger's intensely private life have been revealed with the opening of a new exhibition. A previously unseen collection of the author's letters have gone on show in New York. Although the Morgan Museum and Library has been in possession of these letters since 1998, it had chosen not to make them public, on account of Salinger's own wish for privacy.

Yet following his death at the age of 91 earlier this year, the museum has ended the wait, and believes that the letters portray Salinger positively; 'They show that he wasn't this weirdo, reclusive, bizarre man that many people have come to think of him as'. The letters, dated from 1951 to 1993, include popular culture references, deatils of his ongoing, yet unpublished, works and even contain a Holdenesque idiolect discernable in addresses such as, 'old orange' and 'buddyroo'. Overall, the audience is able to see 'a much more attractive, fully human side of Salinger'. The exhibition will last from March 16th until May 9th.

On this day...

The late J.D. Salinger's only book collection, 'Nine Stories', saw its first and last installments published, in 1948 and 1953 respectively. Both appeared in 'The New Yorker', and so impressed were they by the 'singular quality' of Salinger's first offering, 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish', that they contracted him to give them first right of refusal on any subsequent stories. Indeed it was claimed by Salinger's biographer, that this was 'the story that would permanently change his standing in the literary community'. Much, of course, has subsequently been made, of the protagonist's Holden-like tendancies and other aspects that reflect those of Salinger's most famous anti-hero; including similarities in idiolect. 'Teddy', the final story to enter the collection, is noted to be 'one of the most controversial stories Salinger ever published'. In a display of mortality and fragility, the novel ends with 'an all-piercing, sustained scream—clearly coming from a small, female child'. A phrase now poignantly aligned with the author himself, 'Teddy' was described as 'absolutely unforgettable'.

J.D Salinger: 'Life is a game, boy'...

In saddening news announced today, American novelist J.D. Salinger is said to have died yesterday at the age of 91. Dying of natural causes at his home in New Hampshire, a spokesman reported that 'his health had been excellent until a rather sudden decline after the new year...he was not in any pain before or at the time of his death'. The writer burst into the literary scene in 1951 with the publication of novel 'The Catcher in the Rye'; a work later said to be one of most influential in American history. Giving prominence to the 'rise of the teenager', the book bought with it fame and scrutiny that Salinger was not able to cope with. He spent the last 40 years of life as a recluse, his last public interview being given in 1980.While his novels may have been loved by some and hated by others, Salinger will be missed by all.

On this day...

American writer John Updike died in 2009, at the age of 76. It was from his early life that inspiration came, his mother's writing contributing to his own deisre to do the same. Such a literary passion continued through his student life, and he graduated from Harvard with an English degree having submitted copious amounts of articles to 'The Harvard Lampoon'. The next few years of his life were spent establishing himself both personally and in the literary world. As he began to write for the 'New Yorker' and publish early works, he was also suffering a spiritual crisis; both matters luckily ended well, as Updike found both success and a renewed Christian faith. Featuring the influences of more contemporary American writers such as J.D. Salinger, Ernest Hemingway and Truman Capote, Updike went on to produce one of the most famous series of books; that of 'Rabbit'. Such was the books' success, that Updike became one of only three people to twice win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Updike was a immensely popular writer, with public and critics alike. Fellow author Ian McEwan said of him, that his 'literary schemes and pretty conceits touched at points on the Shakespearean' and said his death signified 'the end of the golden age of the American novel'.

On this day...

John Lennon was assassinated by an obsessive fan in 1980. The Beatle, who enjoyed 17 number ones as a group member, and further success as a solo artist, was shot four times in front of his New York apartment. Yet the case involves a strong literary link. Lennon's assassin, Mark Chapman is associated with Salinger's 'The Catcher in Rye', almost as much as he is with his victim. Chapman's last few weeks before the shooting mirror that of the protagonist Holden; a lonely pre-Christmas rambling through the street of New York, a prostitue in a green dress and even talks with strangers on Central Park's ducks. A similar crisis of identity and purpose are often put forth as explanations for the shooting, Chapman himself stating, 'The phony must die says The Catcher in the Rye'. After he had committed the murder Chapman calmly sat down, reading the novel, to wait for the police. So synonymous is Chapman with the book, that months after, he was handing out signed copies from a stack kept in his cell. Once again it becomes debatable whether 'The Catcher in the Rye' is an accurate representation of teenage life, or merely the ramblings of a lunatic.

On this day...

American author Joyce Maynard was born in 1953. As a young woman, she wrote for 'Seventeen' magazine and later, an article for 'New York Times Magazine'; yet her most famous literary works came in the form of novels. 'To Die For', later adapted into a film starring Nicole Kidman, was the first to gain widespread favour, and this was followed by 'The Usual Rules'; one of the first books to deal with the attacks of 11th September 2001. Yet despite her own, successful literary career, she is perhaps best known for her relationship with author J.D. Salinger; she was 18, he 53. The relationship started with an exchange of letters, leading to Maynard dropping out of Yale to live with Salinger, forgoing a scholarship. It was ended ten months later; Salinger stating that Maynard wanted children and he felt too old. Maynard auctioned the letters in 1999, and they fetched $156,500.

Caught in controversy?...

'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger has been a controversial book ever since its publication in 1951. It is loved and despised in equal measure, the protagonist Holden appearing endearing or frustrating, depending on your view. Still very popular today, it has recently been brought back into the news due to the release of a 'sequel': 'Coming Through the Rye'. It has been enough to bring Salinger, 90, out of his reclusive state to file a lawsuit. Due to this story, the BBC magazine wrote an article, outlining the main views on the novel and including comments from both sides. It can be read here