NEWSWEEK's article about J.D. Salinger is in part because of his famous book, The Catcher In The Rye, in part because of the mystique grown about the reclusive writer. And partly because of two new literary event regarding Salinger, a two-hour documentary, Salinger, and a new, extensive biography, The Private War of J.D. Salinger.

While I'm glad Salinger's life and work are still being celebrated, I hope the book isn't one of the high-priced scandal-rags we so often see these days.

I'm not a big fan of celebrity status for writers; it neither enhances their work nor informs the reader. Still, maybe these two events will set to rest some of the reported inaccuracies regarding Salinger's life.

We'll just have to see if these reveal a new Salinger.