[Borges]

Salinger had a huge effect on the architecture of the modern short story. They're very subtle and are can hinge on something as little as a single italized word.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

He was not alone in that. It was a movement. The modern short story was structured by many writers all adding and taking away pieces of straw and mortar.

Subtlety, nuance, and paradox are all part of the modern formula.

As I said, he was a good writer. To me (as a professional and creative writer), what you define is a good writer, but not a great one (as Melville, McCarthy, Wolfe, and, yes, I hate to admit, Hemingway, too).

If people like him, fine. I would never try to take that away. I just don’t like the way several groups rise up as soon as a writer dies and (usually with an ulterior motive) start declaring him/her “One of the top 5 American authors.”

[wardaddy]

I’m with you. I view it as important.

Did not realize he just died.

I confess I have an extensive library but it’s 95% non fiction and reference..so I am no expert

[Allegra]

Salinger had a huge effect on the architecture of the modern short story. They're very subtle and are can hinge on something as little as a single italized word.

"...the way she said small..."

(Going off of memory here...from Nine Stories. One of those bits that has always stuck with me.)