J.D. Salinger dies at the age of 91

"Franny and Zooey" prevented me from being a college dropout. Like Michelangelo Antonioni and Ingmar Bergman, he and Howard Zinn passed away on the same day. Sure, people get old and they die, but it still saddens me to consider that individuals who exhibited such talent, genius and integrity have ceased to exist.

Here is a link to "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period," my favorite chapter from Salinger's "Nine Stories."

J. D. Salinger, Literary Recluse, Dies at 91

By CHARLES McGRATH
Published: January 28, 2010

J. D. Salinger, who was thought at one time to be the most important American writer to emerge since World War II but who then turned his back on success and adulation, becoming the Garbo of letters, famous for not wanting to be famous, died on Wednesday at his home in Cornish, N.H., where he had lived in seclusion for more than 50 years. He was 91.

More