Vermont's Independent Voice
Browse News
Browse Arts + Culture
Browse Food + Drink
Browse Cannabis
Browse Music
Browse On Screen
Browse Events
Browse Classifieds
Browse Personals
Friday, June 8, 2007
StoryCorps interview about visiting with J.D. Salinger
Posted
By Cathy Resmer
on Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 9:25 AM
I heard a fantastic StoryCorps interview this morning on NPR. They featured a Wisconsin man, Jim Krawczyk, who went to New Hampshire in the late 1960s to try to meet the famously reclusive J.D. Salinger.
StoryCorps never ceases to amaze me. Here's a guy, a fan, who goes on a road trip halfway across the country to meet his favorite author. An author who, as everyone knows, does not like to talk with anyone, fans included. And Krawczyk actually goes up to Salinger's house, knocks on the door, and ends up talking with him.
On one hand, it's a story of a successful quest, and you feel happy for Krawczyk, who sounds like a swell guy. But like the best StoryCorps segments, it's also a sad story, this time about the wall the separates celebrities from the rest of us.
Salinger tells Krawczyk that the success of A Catcher in the Rye has been a nightmare for him. And it sounds like Krawczyk doesn't quite get that. You can almost hear Krawczyk thinking, Why would anyone compare this success to a nightmare?
But of course, poor introverted old Salinger just wants to be left alone, and here's this guy on his doorstep who's traveled thousands of miles to see him. And no doubt Krawczyk is not the only one who ever stopped by. Sounds like a nightmare to me.
Comments
Comments are closed.
Since 2014, Seven Days has allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we’ve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down — at least temporarily.
While we champion free speech, facts are a matter of life and death during the coronavirus pandemic, and right now Seven Days is prioritizing the production of responsible journalism over moderating online debates between readers.
To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor. Or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.
Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.
About The Author
Cathy Resmer
Bio:
Deputy publisher Cathy Resmer is an organizer of the Vermont Tech Jam. She also oversees Seven Days' parenting publication, Kids VT, and created the Good Citizen Challenge, a youth civics initiative. Resmer began her career at Seven Days as a freelance writer in 2001. Hired as a staff writer in 2005, she became the publication's first online editor in 2007.
Deputy publisher Cathy Resmer is an organizer of the Vermont Tech Jam. She also oversees Seven Days' parenting publication, Kids VT, and created the Good Citizen Challenge, a youth civics initiative. Resmer began her career at Seven Days as a freelance writer in 2001. Hired as a staff writer in 2005, she became the publication's first online editor in 2007.
