Returning the book - Page 2

SacTown Chronic · 03-25-2010, 07:30 PM

About ten years ago my dad gave me a bag of books he put together while doing a major spring cleaning. One of the books was a used paperback edition of The Catcher In The Rye, twenty-fifth printing, April, 1963. On the inside cover it reads:

Vicki Gutekunst
507 Evergreen Rd.
Pacific Grove, Calif.

The handwriting suggests a teenage girl. Sure enough, a cursory Google search shows a Vicki Gutekunst, Pacific Grove High 1960-1964.

Fast-forward to today and I've read this particular edition twice. The death of Salinger inspired me to read it again recently and I was reminded that the girl who was proud to be the book's first owner had put her name and address on it. As a bookaholic, I can only keep my absolute favorite favorites or I'd end up a hoarder with a book maze for a home. The Catcher In The Rye doesn't do it for me to the point that I need to keep it with my faves, and I'm thinking of trying to return it to Vicki. The book is not in great condition, but still...

I bring this up because we are staying in Pacific Grove this weekend and I really have the urge to visit this address knowing the odds against Vicki Gutekunst living there now are very long indeed. A high school freshman in 1960 would have to be at least 63 today. But the address is only two blocks from where we're staying (Asilomar) and who knows what could happen. Will I meet Vicki? Will I get shot at by some psycho homeowner and/or Vicki's dad? Maybe.

What say you? Would you cold-call 507 Evergreen Road, or would you find her via the internet? Or maybe you think I should keep the book and leave Vicki Gutekunst the hell alone. What would you do?

03-25-2010, 07:30 PM	#1
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	Returning the book About ten years ago my dad gave me a bag of books he put together while doing a major spring cleaning. One of the books was a used paperback edition of The Catcher In The Rye, twenty-fifth printing, April, 1963. On the inside cover it reads: Vicki Gutekunst 507 Evergreen Rd. Pacific Grove, Calif. The handwriting suggests a teenage girl. Sure enough, a cursory Google search shows a Vicki Gutekunst, Pacific Grove High 1960-1964. Fast-forward to today and I've read this particular edition twice. The death of Salinger inspired me to read it again recently and I was reminded that the girl who was proud to be the book's first owner had put her name and address on it. As a bookaholic, I can only keep my absolute favorite favorites or I'd end up a hoarder with a book maze for a home. The Catcher In The Rye doesn't do it for me to the point that I need to keep it with my faves, and I'm thinking of trying to return it to Vicki. The book is not in great condition, but still... I bring this up because we are staying in Pacific Grove this weekend and I really have the urge to visit this address knowing the odds against Vicki Gutekunst living there now are very long indeed. A high school freshman in 1960 would have to be at least 63 today. But the address is only two blocks from where we're staying (Asilomar) and who knows what could happen. Will I meet Vicki? Will I get shot at by some psycho homeowner and/or Vicki's dad? Maybe. What say you? Would you cold-call 507 Evergreen Road, or would you find her via the internet? Or maybe you think I should keep the book and leave Vicki Gutekunst the hell alone. What would you do? __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
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