memoir details past affair

J.D. Salinger had poor judgment with women, or such was my belief after reading Joyce Maynard’s 1999 memoir, “At Home in the World.”

A professor in one of my Journalism classes ranted about the memoir last week, which is what prompted me to check it out. He could barely conceal his dislike for Ms. Maynard, whom he described as the kind of woman likely to pause in mid-sentence and ask, “Enough about me. What do you think about me?” After reading “At Home in the World,” that seemed like a fairly generous way of describing her.

“At Home” chronicles Maynard’s affair and subsequent break up with Salinger. She was 18 at the time, and he was 53. The relationship endured for ten months. Much of their time together was spent holed up in Salinger’s home in Cornish, New Hampshire.

Salinger’s living habits factor heavily into the memoir. Maynard details quirky things, like how he adhered to a strict diet of frozen lamb burgers and sunflower seeds. Smoked salmon was a treasured splurge for the duo. Ms. Maynard recounts one instance where she and Salinger, frustrated with having to take trips into the city to buy said prized salmon, resolved to smoke it themselves. She watched on as he struggled to dip salmon into their fireplace. It came out coated in a thick blanket of soot. Although gross, they ate it anyway.

These asides were the most interesting thing about the memoir, which I admittedly thumbed through. “At Home in the World” also tells of Ms. Maynard’s life post-Salinger - of her marriage, divorce, children, and eventual success with “To Die For,” a novel inspired by the real-life case of Pamela Smart.

But her memoir is really anchored on one big mystery. Why did she get dumped by J.D. Salinger? Was it because J.D - or Jerry, as she intimately refers to him as throughout her memoir - simply tired of her as she aged? Was it because she needled him too much for a baby, even though they never once had sex?

Ms. Maynard doesn’t have a clue. But it seems pretty obvious why he tossed her out. Her world-weary account of growing up in the 60s caught Salinger’s attention from afar. He professed to have found in her a kindred spirit, or landsman, as he says in a letter. But as he spent time with her, he seemed to notice a few things.

Namely, how eager she was for fame and accolades. She described the world in a frustrated (Caulfield-esque?) fashion, but it wasn’t genuine. Far from being weary, she seemed to hunger for all the things she had disparaged of in her article.

She also grew intrusive, actually giving out his private phone number to publishers. When her parents broke up, they started calling the house frequently, asking for his relationship advice. It got to be too much for the guy. He broke it off while they were vacationing together in Florida. And according to her memoir, Ms. Maynard spent much of the 70s moping around because of it.

She ultimately comes across as a woman scorned, but hardly avenged, in her memoir’s token climax. She confronts him a quarter century later, demanding explanations. Of course, this seems like something her publisher put her up to (your memoir needs a juicy ending!), and Salinger sees right through it.

“Are you writing a book?” he asks when she arrives at his doorstep. She skirts the question and demands he answer her own. Instead, he gives her a sound verbal lashing, the kind he probably should have given her years ago. He accuses her of squandering her career, of writing trash and gossip. He claims she always had an inflated sense her own abilities and that he knew she would never amount to much, anyway.

And then he calls her out for trying to exploit their relationship.

To her credit, “At Home in the World” could have been worse. Her accounts of Salinger having lots of movie nights and attending all his son’s sports games seem tame by tell-all standards. But was it in poor taste to break her silence after all these years? Certainly. Having a relationship with someone of such magnitude mandates a code of silence which Ms. Maynard breeched in writing her memoir.

But Salinger was asking for it. Revered literary figure has affair with teenager? It’s no surprise she wrote about it. The only surprise is that it took her 25 years to do it.

-SM.

Boston Theatres This Weekend...Coming to Amherst

Ty Burr and Wesley Morris rarely disagree like they do here about the new Danny Boyle Film "Slumdog Millionaire." It is getting rave reviews across the country and talk of Oscars is heavy.

Here is there weekly "Take 2" on the film:




This Thanksgiving "Milk" is opening and that is being called a "masterpiece" across the board. Here is what Morris has to say about it.

A.O Scott of the New York Times says this about Milk.

This is Ebert's take.


And finally good ol' Mick LaSalle of San Francisco who has a unique take on films, and an honest approach to writing.


And the Trailer:


Some other releases, not getting such great reviews: Australia, Transport 3, and Four Christmases.

Have a Great Turkey Day...

The Wrestler Trailer Finally Online

Variety has posted the trailer for the new Darren Aronofsky film "The Wrestler."
Mickey Rourke is getting praise from almost every critic and won over a lot of hearts at some major festivals.

Check it out:

Black Student Union Comedy

By Andrea DiScipio
Collegian Correspondent

Deon Cole and Cocoa Brown are coming to the University of Massachusetts tonight to present their comedic styles.
“BSU has been organizing a comedy show every year, and it has been a success every year so we want to continue the tradition.” said Casimir Maziarz, event coordinator for the Black Student Union.
Tonight at the Campus Center auditorium, the two talented comedians from the Black Comedy Tour will perform, hoping to bring big laughs from the student body. The comedians will share their wit and talent with the UMass community. A couple of local acts will also be performing at the show.
Deon Cole is one of the most requested comedians in the nationwide club and college circuit. Not only is he a successful comedian, but also a successful actor who has appeared on MTV’s “Short Circuitz” and “Wild N’ Out.” He can also be found in the 2002 film “Barbershop,” as well as the sequel “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” (2004).
As for his comedic career, he has done stand-up on Comedy Central’s “Laffapalooza,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” BET’s “Comic View,” NBC’s “Showtime at the Apollo,” “BBC’s “The World Stands Up” and STARZ’s “First Amendment.”
Deon also attended the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and the CanWest Comedy Fest in Vancouver. He was a featured comic at both events.
In addition to being a finalist in NBC’s “Stand-Up for Diversity Showcase,” Deon won BET’s Robin Harris Award for “most original comic” as well. He has participated in several tours such as the “Cole-Cola World European Tour for the Troops,” the BET “Comedy Tour,” “The Def Jam Tour,” “The Budweiser Superfest R. Kelly Tour” and the “Mary J. Blige Tour.”
Deon Cole can be recognized for the charisma he brings with him every time he steps onto the stage.
Along with Deon Cole, Cocoa Brown is another immensely talented individual who has developed a fulfilling career as a stand-up comedian.
Her energetic facial expressions that accompany her enthusiasm are just some of her trademark qualities. She has the ability to relate well with her audience, because whether she’s telling a story about herself, a family member or if she’s talking about real life experiences in general, Cocoa will produce a humorous moment.
Brown has performed at the “Kennedy Center Honors Richard Pryor,” as well as the “Def Comedy Jam Tour.” She’s a member of the Washington, D.C. sketch comedy group, “Comedy Sportz,” and after just seven months in the comedy business, she won the “Washington Comedian of the Year” award.
Cocoa Brown was a fan favorite on the “Who’s Got Jokes” competition on TVOne, in addition to establishing nine consecutive seasons on BET’s “Comic View.” On BET’s “Comic View” she was voted “funniest female” twice. She appeared as a featured comedian on the STARZ in Black comedy series “The First Amendment,” produced by Martin Lawrence, and Comedy Central’s “Comic Groove” with Tracy Morgan.
She recently filmed a new BET comedy show, “One Mic Stand,” hosted by Kevin Hart and will also be appearing on the 2008 season of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.”
Cocoa Brown has acquired a group of loyal and adoring fans who not only respect her comedic talent, but also love her vivacious spirit.
The Black Student Union Comedy Show Presents Deon Cole and Cocoa Brown. They will be showcasing their comedic talents tonight in the Campus Center Auditorium at 8 p.m.Tickets are $5 for college students, and $8 for the general public.
Andrea DiScipio can be reached at adiscipi@student.umass.edu.

One of our students on CNN

Zac Bissonnette '11 was on CNN this morning. He was on around 7 am this morning to talk finance. Did anyone catch him?

Arts Perspective Number 2

I worked in the newsroom tonight. It was hectic. It was ultimately one of the craziest nights I have ever had. It was a joy to work with and alongside so many great reporters. Will McGuiness is one hell of a man. Joe Meloni works hard, and after him saying how much he hated politics for the past month, that he doesn't follow it, it was all a lie. He knew a lot and kept us up to date (sadly watching CNN and not Brian Williams on NBC). But walking through the Campus Center

( up to the Student Union and seeing all those student groups watching along side one another a historic election-no matter the result.Earthfoods pizza is great.) Tim never got back to me about Ben and Jerry's, must have been one hell of a line.

Interviewing a few people in the Student Union was interesting as well. People were excited, and having a great time. Student groups sitting side by side, working with one another. I took a photo of Will reporting. It is exactly what the news department did tonight to give the people at UMass a local angle for this historic event. I am happy to have been apart of it. Even if my contribution was listening to a lead, making commentary, taking a few photos that won't be used, and thinking of ways to update this damn blog with an arts perspective....but I can't so I am not trying.

Obama's speech was moving, but until the end felt bland. McCain for the first time really impressed me with his speaking abilities. He stuck to his guns, and worked so hard at his attempt to the presidency. His speech tonight was the best of the race, sadly to late.

Obama's use of the Lincoln quote was the highlight of the night though. Check out the end of "American History X" (oh yeah arts angle) to hear some more of it. Or look it up online. The Internet gives you those types of options.

Have a great night, and a great day.

-Kevin Koczwara (Assistant Arts Editor)

Election Day Coverage From an Arts Perspective

I went to Starbucks for my free coffee did. Never made it to the front of the line. I left and went to Rao's. The line at one o'clock in the afternoon at Starbucks for free coffee was too long. I needed my first coffee of the day (second if you count the coffee I had when I woke up).

Rao's was a great idea. I got a lot done, and got to hear peoples opinions on this election day first hand.

The girl sitting next to me had a homemade shirt on supporting Obama. Some old people were talking about income tax near the line, it was short, and discussing how much they hate liberals and conservatives. I don't know who they like, but they liked one another enough to agree with whatever the other person said. Then there was the people outside singing about how much they love marijuana. I think I know which way they are voting on question 2.


Then I started reading "Writer's on Writing" and ignored everyone.


But I just walked by Starbucks again, and the line is out the door and down the ramp into Amherst Center. Good thing I went to Bueno and have a coffee maker down here at the Collegian.


Ben And Jerry's

Free ice cream from 5 to 8. I can only imagine what that line will look like. it was a gorgeous day out, no jacket required. A perfect night for a waffle cone, or any cone that they give you, for free. But what will the line look like around 7? We will find out when Tim, the beer dude, reports back on the situation (he is on his way there for his cream that has been iced).