J.D. Salinger has always been a reclusive writer, similar to Harper Lee or Cormac McCarthy. But as the author of The Catcher In The Rye, it’s hard for the 90-year-old to go unnoticed when he peeks out from the shadows and ends up in the news.

Just recently, Salinger brought up a lawsuit against Swedish writer Fredrik Colting in an attempt to prevent his book, Sixty Years Later: Coming Through the Rye, from being published in the United States. According to Meghan Daum of the Chicago Tribune, “The novel depicts a 76-year-old Holden Caulfield, who meets his author and revisits various locations and characters featured in the original book” (Even at 90, Salinger’s got fight in him).

I’m torn between sympathizing with Salinger and wondering why he’d even bother. Given the nature of Colting’s book, and the undoubtedly massive recognition that Salinger’s Catcher In The Rye has accrued over the years, it’s difficult to imagine what negative impact Sixty Years Later could possibly have on the property. Still, Salinger has a right to at least try to protect that which is his.

When the court rules, I’ll be sure to let you know what they decide.