A classic! (but not for the depth of its story)
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I didn't know what to think at first after I finished reading The Catcher in the Rye, I really didn't. Fundamentally, and perhaps rather controversially (because it has such a positive following), I didn't really like the novel as much as I thought I would. I thought that the story was weak, that the plot was largely uneventful, and I was left wondering why so much `evangalising' of this novel? That was my initial thoughts, but once I'd determined that the purpose of this novel was not to deliver an enthralling action-packed story, my opinion began to change and I realised that Catcher in the Rye does have something a bit special about it. That `something special' is in the characterisation of the chief protagonist, 16 year old Holden Caulfield, a youth teetering on the edge of manhood.
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Holden Caulfield: the first 'emo'
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When 'The Catcher in the Rye' was first put on the market in 1955 it generated great controversy, now having read it in 2007 I can understand why, but in contrast with today's standards, (J.D.) Salinger's yarn is very tame.
There is no real story to this novel nor is there any epic proportions. The reader basically just follows Holden Caulfield around New York in the Winter as he narrates in the past tense.
The beginning of the novel; the first page is iconic. One can almost immediately tell that Caulfield isn't a run of the mill leading man. With his cynical attitude & constant whines, Holden Caulfield can become annoying in more ways than one. Holden Caulfield was the first of a breed of angst ridden, alienated youth, embodied in this unacedemic anti-hero who has been thrown out of a handful of schools.
In a nut shell 'The Catcher in the Rye' is documenting a 'unique' young man's downfalli nto a mental breakdown after the death of his younger brother.
I would recommend this novel to anyone over the age of 12, of either gender. it may not live up to the critical acclaim that it has recieved (most novels with the same hype around them generally don't) but its worth a look.
(Holden Caulfield was labelled as the first ever 'emo'.)
In conclusion this is a profound & insightful read. I am not at all surprised by the impact it made on its first release.
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The Catcher In the Rye - J.D Salinger
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Possibly one of the most reviewed and revered books on amazon, possibly in the world. I was always gravitated towards this book, being almost a rite of passage to read it being someone that has gone through both depression and he pressures of being a teenage boy.
Following the journey of Holden after being excluded from school in the cold mid winter of east coast America, the story is one of a of a young man who is coming to terms with the world around him. Alone in the big city with a wallet full of money and a head full of big ideas The Catcher in the Rye is at times intimate and heartbreaking, yet uplifting with the same breath. A reminder of our own innocence and naievety, and one of how fragile our minds really are.
The storytelling is impressive, however the style could be a little frustrating, and the pace was tough going at times. There is something to be said for the way the entire story is written in the tounge of young holden, and the fact that the style of his words never once detracts from the story, it only ever seems to enhance the realism of his thoughts.
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Not a Teenage boy - but i loved it.
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I adored this book. I didn;t have to read it for School at any point, and no one ever told me i should read it to better myself, but still i found myself drawn to Catcher in the Rye as i was to the Bell Jar, and Girl Interupted, it is fascinating to view a persons internal nuerosis in the way that Holden shows his own.
Holdens contempt and indifference to everything is amazing, even Phoebe bugs him at times, here we have someon totally detatched from himself, he does not really care that he is wandering around New York bruised and bloodied, and amazingly - no one mentions it to him??! I wonder how much of what Holden says happened for real and what was Gory self glorification of his own situation?
I read the modern American print and my only critism was the final extract, where he talks of D.B visiting occasionally and being Psychoanlaysed and we presume he is in some institution - i felt that was too obvious, it wasn't required really, we knew that when Phoebe finished on the Carasol that Holdens parents would find out, Mr Antolini would say how he had flitted out in the night, Pensey would tell how long he has been unaccountable for and the whole story would be unravelled to his parents and we know that his personality (split personality maybe?) will be uncovered - which is why the last scene is too obvious, i didn't need to read it, i had already concluded it, it was just a last attempt of the Author trying to 'own' the story over the reader & interpreter (which i hate it when Authers do that!!)
Apart from that it is a fantastically written, engaging piece, you could read it in a day!
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Is it just me?
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I know that this book is supposed to be one of the classics, and I understand how observation of human nature is very interesting etc. What I don't understand is why everyone raves about The Catcher in the Rye- I think maybe I am just missing the point.
I say each to their own- read it and make your own mind up.
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