– in order to advance her into her next reincarnation. "None of these" says Slawenski, "is very satisfying." Critics of the story may have targeted the ending for disapproval, rather than engage in a culturally biased critique of Salinger’s foray into Zen philosophy. Salinger himself regarded the work as “exceptionally Haunting [sic]” and “memorable” yet “unpleasantly controversial” and “thoroughly unsuccessful.” Notes Sources Alexander, Paul. 1999. Salinger: A Biography. Renaissance Books. Los Angeles, CA. Slawenski, Kenneth. 2010. J.D. Salinger: A Life. Random House. New York, NY. Wenke, J.P. 1991. J.D. Salinger: A Study of the Short Fiction. Twayne Publishers. Woodbridge, CT. External links Short stories by J. D. Salinger 1953 short stories Hindu studies Works originally published in The New Yorker