Catcher in the Rye sequel will be published overseas

by: Rebecca Tucker

Two years ago, Swedish author Fredrik Colting came under fire for 60 Years Later, a sequel to J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, which Colting published independently in Europe under the pen name John David California. Before his death, Salinger himself filed a suit against Colting, claiming copyright infringement — the notoriously protective (and reclusive) Salinger had never authorized the adaptation of any of his works, and has been long rumoured to have a massive collection of unpublished writing. The man was secretive. Really secretive, and really protective of his work.


So Thursday’s news — that Colting’s sequel will be published in Europe but is banned from being sold in Canada and the U.S. — smacks as bittersweet. Sure, it’s a small triumph: Salinger was an American author, after all, and the ruling prevents 60 Years Later from seeing light of day on Salinger’s home turf. But the fact that it will be published internationally means that, in many, many places, readers will be able to follow the misadventures of a geriatric Holden Caulfield, on the run from a nursing home. This narrative is meant to follow naturally from Salinger’s portrayal of Holden as a disillusioned youth on the run from the claustrophobia of adulthood — only told by a guy whose previous claims to fame are books called The Pornstar Name Book: The Dirtiest Names On The Planet and The Macho Man’s Drinkbook: Because Nude Girls And Alcohol Go Great Together.

To add insult to injury, Colting’s justification for the sequel is as follows:

“I believe 60 is as original and creative as Catcher … I’ve never had much respect for old things, just for the sake that they are old. Especially if they act as brakes, keeping things from evolving. Creativity has to move freely or it will fall flat on its ass. If it was up to me I would replace Mona Lisa with something new.”

Right. He probably thinks the Lunts are absolute angels, too.

from: National Post