My Salinger Year

By: Joanna Rakoff

Narrated by: Joanna Rakoff

Poignant, keenly observed, and irresistibly funny: a memoir about literary New York in the late 90s, a pre-digital world on the cusp of vanishing, where a young woman finds herself entangled with one of the last great figures of the century.

At 23, after leaving graduate school to pursue her dreams of becoming a poet, Joanna Rakoff moves to New York City and takes a job as assistant to the storied literary agent for J. D. Salinger. She spends her days in a plush, wood-paneled office, where Dictaphones and typewriters still reign and old-time agents doze at their desks after martini lunches. At night she goes home to the tiny, threadbare Williamsburg apartment she shares with her socialist boyfriend. Precariously balanced between glamour and poverty, surrounded by titanic personalities, and struggling to trust her own artistic instinct, Rakoff is tasked with answering Salinger’s voluminous fan mail. But as she reads the candid, heart-wrenching letters from his readers around the world, she finds herself unable to type out the agency’s decades-old form response. Instead, drawn inexorably into the emotional world of Salinger’s devotees, she abandons the template and begins writing back. Over the course of the year, she finds her own voice by acting as Salinger’s, on her own dangerous and liberating terms.

Rakoff paints a vibrant portrait of a bright, hungry young woman navigating a heady and longed-for world, trying to square romantic aspirations with burgeoning self-awareness, the idea of a life with life itself. Charming and deeply moving, filled with electrifying glimpses of an American literary icon, My Salinger Year is the coming-of-age story of a talented writer. Above all, it is a testament to the universal power of books to shape our lives and awaken our true selves.

©2014 Joanna Rakoff (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rakoff's story of her time at the agency that represents Salinger and other notable authors is fascinating for its names and its intrigues." (AudioFile)

Loved it

Tender, smart, honest. Such a perfect depiction of those years after college: the crappy relationship, the wandering, the naïveté, the eagerness and loss of innocence. Gorgeous writing.

Good story great performance

Not sure why I bought this. haven't read salinger. but I really liked it. I liked getting to know the author. I liked that it was so real. usually I dont like books read by the author but I really liked her voice. it felt like this is someone I would like to know. I guess salinger felt the same way.

I loved this memoir!

I loved her voice creating a 24 year old's life confusion and feelings. I found the story of how deeply literature touches her. I loved the immersion of her time at the office and coming to know Salinger. Listening to this book, felt so much like listening to my own younger self enthralled with favorite books.

Wonderful and thought-provoking

I loved listening to every minute of Joanna Rakoff's nonfiction narrative about her first job in the world of New York publishing after she left graduate school. Rakoff is a terrific narrator for her own work, too. I've returned to this audiobook several times to listen again to parts--it's good enough to inspire multiple listens. Audible 20 review sweepstakes entry.

Great on many levels

It took me awhile to get use to the actual voice of the speaker but once I did, I really enjoyed the book. As a Salinger fan, it was great. Her story was exceptional as well.

Dynamic quick read

Engaging story of growing in the literary world. Thought provoking situations and creative detail given throughout the entire book.

sweet

something about this book was sweet even though i’m sure i could use better adjectives to describe it.
i liked the writers/narrators easygoing manner. it took the edge off of some
of the more exasperating characters. i enjoyed hearing the story of her year in the literary business if that’s what you call it? my family had a business that was established in 1934 & before i took over in 1999 it was a 1920’s/30’s typewriter (not quite sure exactly but it was OLD.) So i could relate. i still have fond memories of doing things the old way.
All the way through the book i found
myself begging her
to dump that sleazy boyfriend! I wanted to hear all about her dumping him & moving on. it does make me want to read Salinger again.

Joanna is right on.

Having lived the editors life in New York City and the home life in Brooklyn, I can say that Joanna has captured it all perfectly.

Great read!

I really enjoyed this book. I love how this actually read like a Salinger book. It made me want to go back and read Salinger all over again!

Great book.

Really enjoyed the book. The author did an amazing job capturing coming of age story.