The character of Forrester in the movie movie 'Finding Forrester' is based loosely on the famous American author J.D Salinger. Although Salinger wrote quite a few books, like Forrester he is popular for and widely know for his first novel "Catcher in the Rye' published in 1951. Like the lead in the movie Salinger too was known for his reclusiveness. Success of Catcher in the Rye led to public attention and scrutiny which caused Salinger to become reclusive and publish new works less frequently.Attention was greatly disliked by him and this this is what led to the legal battle in 1980 between him and biographer Ian Hamilton
Although raised in Manhattan, New york ( where Forrester resides) he shifted to Cornish, New hampshire in 1953. Early in his time at Cornish he was relatively sociable, particularly with students from Windsor High School. Like Forrester and his friendly relationship with Jamal Wallace, Salinger too would invite students to his house to lay records and talk about problems at school. One of these students persuaded Salinger to be interviewed for the high school section of the city paper. the interview was pupblished in the editorial. after this incident salinger cut off contact with high school students all together.