The Catcher in the Rye

Catcher in the Rye

Four days in the life of a New York teenager in the 50’s. Pretty much sums it up. Holden Caulfield is in a private school and is being kicked out for having poor grades. He doesn’t know what he wants, not many do at that age, he does know what he doesn’t like about the things people do, though.

Holden Caulfield says what’s on his mind. Some may think that he has negative views on everything, but the whole book, which takes place within a few days, is a statement on the upper class (and middle to some extent) ideals of the times. He says he hates a lot of things, but he also says that a lot of things make him sad (like the nun and her straw donation basket). The things that he dislikes are many things that we all do, but often will not say it out loud.

H.C. doesn’t flaunt his upbringing. Yes, at times he’ll say things like “Ill pay for that I’m loaded”, but I think that he was just not keeping it for himself. You learn quickly that he does not have any role models, his parents, not very prominent in the book, come across as not very affectionate.

It takes us to near the end of the book, to learn that H.C. does have a role model, one person who he can’t stand to disappoint, his little sister. I think that he gets scared when he realizes that he is his little sister’s role model and that she is more like him than he wants. Without her, I don’t think H.C. would make it. When his sister asks him what he really wants to do with his life, He says he would be happy to be “the catcher in the rye”, which in his vision shows his desire to have a meaningful existence.

I’m glad that I re-read this book. I left it too long, and now, I believe that it can go back to the shelf. Maybe it will get a read from someone else. It deserves that.

I read this book as a teenager and then as an adult when I had teenagers. No one has captured the angst of being on the threshold of adulthood so well. Classics are true no matter when you read them. My reaction to this book was different as an adult. As an adult I felt compassion for the difficulty of this stage of life especially with the push-pull of society. As a teenager, I thought someone finally understood.

This novel is well written and introduces us to a variety of characters. But I must confess that Holden Caulfield is a character that I sincerely dislike. If the novel was set in the present, he would be the poster boy “milennial” – self absorbed, truly believing he is entitled to everything he wants without having to put forth any effort. I first read this book in high school in the 60’s and even though it was trendy to see Holden as some sort of hero I disliked him. When I re-read the book years later he still annoyed me and when I read it again last year I laughed at how much he sounds like today’s teens and 20-something’s except without the technology and gadgets and an attention span longer than 10 seconds! Does anybody agree or am I just getting to be a cranky retiree?

When you see this is a slow-motion mental break it’s – anyway anyone who wants to say anything against Mr. Caulfield can do so but they will have me to contend with afterward.

I thought it was interesting to read. I read it in the 11th grade of my junior year of high school with my English 3 Honors teacher Mr. Steven Sullivan while completing my English 3 Honors class at Olympic Heights High school. Funny characters, witty and charming plot and dialogue throughout the novel or paper back book. Enjoy it while it lasts. Please purchase a copy of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger in book stores everywhere like your local thrift book store, Barnes and Nobles book sellers, Borders: books, music and cafe book sellers and B. Dalton book sellers near you. Check it out now.

Loved this book at 14. Had to drag myself through it at 60. But at 14, I will never forget my BFF returning from a summer at the lake and telling me that she had read the best book ever (she also said that about Frannie and Zooey) and she was right (both times). Maybe I just needed a refresher read every 10-15 years.

I read this one in high school. I started it on the premise of wondering if my mother would object. She never said a word and I ended up learning many things from the book. I also learned to teach my children to read, and to not object to content. I did take it a step further and ask them what they thought if I was concerned. Ironically I learned more from their take on books than I had before their insights.

The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, 1951

My favorite quote: “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t happen much, though.”

Notable characters: Holden Caulfield, the caustic teen; Ward Stradlater, his dorm roommate; Robert Ackley, his dorm neighbor; D.B., Holden’s brother, the screenwriter; Phoebe, his little sister; Mr. Antolini, English teacher and controversial head-patter; Allie, Holden’s deceased brother

Most memorable scene: The (ignored) composition that Holden wrote about his dead brother’s baseball glove — and the memory of Holden lashing out over his brother’s death

Greatest strengths: The voice is impeccable and never falters

Standout achievements: Its ability to place you in the scene

Fun Facts: Despite its position and popularity in American literature (and the multitude of directors and production companies who have tried securing the rights) The Catcher in the Rye has never been made into a movie

What it taught me about writing: That humanity — even if you’re writing about monsters — is everything.

How it inspired my own work: I liked this book so much I made it into the favorite book of one of my characters — Father Vincent Scarlotti in the Crimson Cove series, who carries a battered copy of this book with him wherever he travels.

Additional thoughts: I’m always astounded by how controversial and polarizing this book is. Some love it, some hate it, and there doesn’t seem to be much in-between. It’s been analyzed to death, and is, in my opinion, somehow both unduly praised and unreasonably criticized. I read it before being subjected to all the contention and adoration surrounding it, and to me, it’s a simple story about a young man trying to understand what it means to be an adult. To me, it’s about someone desperately seeking a human connection at an age when human connection seems impossible. Despite all the dissension and debate, I love it.

My rating: 5 of 5

Haunt me: alistaircross.com

Fabulous!

I’ve read this a few times. not what you expect !! a good read