Hartog, Donald., 1919-2007

J.D. Salinger (1919-2010) author of the bestselling novel Catcher in the Rye (1951)and Donald Hartog (1919-2007) met in 1937 in Vienna. They were both 18 years old and had been sent to Vienna by their fathers to learn German. Salinger was at the time also learning the meat trade

In March 1938 Salinger returned to the US to pursue his studies. The war years followed and both friends were involved in active service. They corresponded for some years but these earlier letters, up until the 1950s, have not survived.

In 1986 Don decided to get in touch with Salinger and revive their acquaintance. The letters in this collection cover this period (1986-2002).

The two friends enjoyed a reunion in England in 1989 to mark their joint 70th birthdays (their first meeting since 1938) and a further meeting took place in the US in 1994.

Salinger was something of a celebrated literary recluse. These rather ordinary letters reveal an ordinary man enjoying an ordinary life. He spent most days writing, he enjoyed the winter, the company of family, short trips away, evening suppers in the local community, a particular brand of hamburger, and watching tennis on TV.

The letters do little to answer the question as to what he may have been writing, fiction certainly, but he gives little away, save that his earlier publishing success had brought him sufficient earnings so as not to feel he had to publish again. In a letter dated 11 April 1991 Salinger confirms that he had been writing away for 25 years, but that he couldn't give a clear account of what it is or what he may do with it.

From the guide to the J.D. Salinger - Hartog Letters, 1986-2002, (University of East Anglia)