Welcome to Litsy!

I didn‘t hate it. (For a misspent-youth memoir, that‘s saying something.) It‘s interesting enough for maybe the first half, but 2/3 of the way in and I was ready for it to be done.

I‘m unsurprised that Salinger was emotionally abusive and stunted, a crappy lay, and a borderline pedo (maybe?). I‘m disappointed that the author did so much telling and implying but no deep analytical thinking or judging. Missed opportunity.

Among the many other things I think about goddamn J. D. Salinger as I‘m reading this memoir is my absolute certainty that the man was an abject dud in the sack.

I didn‘t read this memoir when it came out, but I recently saw it mentioned in an article as one worthy of a second look in the contemporary context of #MeToo so I decided to check it out.

I gave this book five stars when I read it in 2008. In 1972, Joyce Maynard had an article published in The New York Times Magazine called “An 18 Year Old Looks Back On Life,” which caught the attention of reclusive famed author JD Salinger. The two began a relationship, despite their gaping age difference, and Maynard dropped out of Yale to be with him. Nine months later, it was over. #marchintooz #livinginthe70s.

5-4-17: My 13th finished book of 2017. The majority of this book focuses on her relationship J. D. Salinger, that started after he read an article she wrote. Their letter writing turned into a relationship and she dropped out of Yale to live with him on a hill in New Hampshire. I found it to be a pretty depressing read but I like that sometimes. 📚

"What he tells me he loves best by far is a sense of integration between his life and his work, and the freedom from the feeling of disconnection that dogs him." Joyce Maynard quoting the thoughts of J.D. Salinger.

4-4-17: Reading and drinking coffee and realizing my home in this world right now is in this hospital looking out a dreary day. Day 16 and counting for my poor mom. Fingers crossed that we are moving forward soon. What would I do without books to keep me company!!! 📚📖☕️🏥☁️