Welcome to Litsy!

This illustrated love story tells the true tale of a young JD Salinger and the even younger estranged daughter of Eugene O'Neill, Oona. The French author knows quite a bit about mid-20th century American literature and enjoys bringing the writers alive for the reader (although imagining Salinger's dialogue proves problematic). The profuse illustrations steep the novel in a delightful nostalgia that can only be regained by reading.

That evening at home, Oona asked Truman Capote for advice. Should she go? Capote could never stand Salinger: Socialites often confuse misanthropy with arrogance.

"So, you're really going to see the ex-soldier who writes like a baby?"

"Don't! You were lucky. You were too young to fight. You wouldn't have lasted ten minutes."

"Me? Surrounded by handsome boys in battle dress? Cherie, you're describing my wettest dream!"

Re: Salinger's woods in NH:

"In this sepulchral forest, even in broad daylight, beneath the interlacing branches, it felt like midnight. Entering a forest is a magical rite: There are woodland traverses in every fairytale, in German Romantic literature as much in Disney films. The sun was blinking through the trees: day, night, day, night. The light appeared & disappeared again as if the sun wanted to send a message in Morse--Turn back. Stop."

How wonderful to come home after an exceedingly long week to book mail! This profusely illustrated novel depicts JD Salinger's brief relationship with Charlie Chaplin's daughter, Oona. Translated from the French, the text is accompanied by charming watercolor sketches. Top left photo is of Truman Capote and bottom left is captioned:

"Each time they kissed, she felt like she was flying, and he felt like he was falling down."