In Memoriam J.D. Salinger
We are all mourning deeply the loss of one of our very favourite authors – and one of the greatest writers of the last century, J.D. Salinger. Although none of us ever met him and he had not published a book since 1965, his presence was very strongly felt in the Hamish Hamilton office. Indeed, we have spent the last several months plotting a relaunch of our Salinger list for this June, with new covers which the author had approved – and we were especially excited to have received word from the author himself. Even at two removes, via his UK and US agents, the words ‘JDS says…’ in an email had a special magic. And it is very sad to think that we will have no such communication again.
I am certain that J.D. Salinger’s passing will be keenly felt by many. The Catcher in the Rye must surely be close to the top of the list of favourite books of millions of readers – as it is of ours; and his other works will not be far behind – and for some, of course, ahead. He was the bestselling Hamish Hamilton author ever and we owe him an enormous debt.
Simon Prosser