Comments on: Thoughts on J.D. Salinger and Catcher in the Rye

By: Matt Parker

Matt Parker — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:16:57 +0000

I’m sure since posting this you have had a bazillion people telling you that they always were reminded of Catcher in the Rye when reading Blue Like Jazz. I would like to add to that bazillion. Catcher in the Rye is my all time fav, and the voice of Blue was definitely the voice of Holden in my head. I’ve not read Catcher or Blue in several years. I would hope that I have “outgrown” them also, but I seriously doubt it. You’re a real prince, Donald Miller … a real prince!

By: Kristie Jackson

Kristie Jackson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:16:19 +0000

Very interesting. Perhaps there is a Million Miles in Salinger’s stack, but like you, I doubt it. Do you think brilliant success makes you more thin-skinned or less? He set the bar so high for himself, maybe his retreat from society isn’t all that surprising. After all, it doesn’t sound like Salinger knew the comfort of being unconditionally loved by the Creator of the universe.

By: Brianne

Brianne — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:39:11 +0000

Catcher is my favorite book, and when I first read Blue 6 years ago, it immediately struck my fancy because of the style of your writing and the language you used (and of course, the content). The reason why I liked it so much is because it reminded me of Holden’s narration. The expressions you use in Blue (and your other books, as well) like “if you want to know the truth” and putting “and all” at the end of your sentences are reminiscent of Salinger’s style, which I love.

By: Runningmama

Runningmama — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:35:22 +0000

This makes me laugh be cause a few months ago I described BLJ as “Mere Christianity by Holden Caulfield.”

RIP JD Salinger

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:35:58 +0000

Don,

I began reading Blue like Jazz for the first time this morning on the bus ride to work. I had to finish it this evening. I finished it less than an hour ago. I know you’ve heard this a hundred thousand times but I had to tell you: God used your thoughts again to encourage someone in the possibility that Jesus is different than what we so often see as Christianity!!

Adrian Plass once told me that the secret to writing is that despite our temptation to make things tidy, to be honest and vulnerable because that is how to touch the heart of the reader – and in that they can recieve in their heart, your message.

Thank you for being honest.

By: Dave Carrol

Dave Carrol — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:36:47 +0000

I wrote this this morning after thinking about your blog for the last couple of days. http://bigearcreations.blogspot.com/2010/02/growing-up.html

Thoughts I’d share. By the way… also wanted to let you know that this past weekend I spoke at a youth retreat and challenged the youth over the week about “a character is what a character does” from your next book. It has inspired me greatly.

Thanks man

By: Tucker

Tucker — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:58:24 +0000

I’ve read Franny and Zooey and thoroughly loved it. I found it rather profound. I’ve tried to read Catcher several times and could never get through it. I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s because I didn’t feel connected with Caulfield. Though I have pulled to book once again off my shelf and put it on the nightstand. Maybe this time I will read the thing all the way through.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:44:27 +0000

Several years ago, I read The Catcher in the Rye mainly out of obligation. For me, part of the problem was the pervasiveness of the hype that this slim novel was going to rock my world.

I liked it. But, because I didn’t love it, that somehow tempered the mere “like” with something more similar to dislike.

I should have read it when I was younger.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:50:42 +0000

I think you reference Catcher somewhere near the end of Blue, and when I read that for the first time, I wrote in the margin: “I knew it.”

Stream-of-consciousness is beautiful when it can be followed.

By: jimmy j

jimmy j — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:55:52 +0000

I think the last page of Franny and Zooey more or less kicks anyone’s superiority complex in the nuts. It’s Salinger seeing the inherent value in everyone. Check it