Books Sep 11, 2013 at 4:00 am

They Forgot to Write the Book

Salinger Is a Phony Biography of a Goddamned Genius

Paul Constant
The happiest camera-shy recluse you’ll ever see. The Weinstein company / dimension films
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Comments

1
Goddamit Paul. This is a really good review.
Soupytwist on September 11, 2013 at 1:56 PM Report this
2
Can't believe Paul's upset about this. A creep perving on teenage girls in his old age, who happened to write a book that was a fifties footnote (it's not that good-must be an East Coast thing). Honestly, Salinger was a mean, narcissistic elitist whose "literature" hasn't stood the test of time. He's no Poe, Dickens or Shakespeare.
on September 13, 2013 at 5:40 PM Report this
3
Now I have to read the book. I really wasn't going to.
margotdarby on September 15, 2013 at 2:23 AM Report this
4
#1 Surprisingly - I agree
#2 You won't know if his work stands the test of time for sure until all the manuscripts have been published and time has past. He certainly struck a chord that still resonates.
mt on September 15, 2013 at 5:05 PM Report this
5
@2

You don't think Poe, Dickens, or Shakespeare is the "author of one of the most popular books of the 20th century", do you?
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn on September 15, 2013 at 5:06 PM Report this
6
Great review, I'll wait for the tweet...
gttrgst on September 15, 2013 at 5:51 PM Report this
7
Do you want to find a partner who will exceed your expectations? Welcome to___billionairefish.com___the largest billionaire/millionaire club for elite men, women and people who'd like to meet them. Have a try and good luck! +_+
MicheMM on September 15, 2013 at 8:23 PM Report this
8
Shields' idea of what people nowadays want is just absurd.
Everybody loves a great story told well. He has a great story, it's a shame he didn't (in Paul's eyes) tell it well.

Thanks for the excellent review, Paul.
I'll read the book with that grain of salt.
MrBaker on September 16, 2013 at 12:06 AM Report this
9
@7 Your're nothing but a big phony!
knobtheunicorn on September 16, 2013 at 12:13 AM Report this
10
Paul, seriously, when you hate on things, the world is more alive and a better place, because you do it eloquently and with good reason.

I think you're better at hating things (in writing) than loving things. Please tell us about the things you hate. We all need happiness.

Good points, all -- as are most of the points you make when you hate on things. (Excellent summation of Billy Collins' upcoming reading, by the way.)
SarahMN on September 17, 2013 at 12:46 AM Report this

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