Since this is a writing forum, critiques are welcome.

Review of
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye is one of those books that most people read in high school because it is on a required reading list.  Somehow I escaped that requirement and never read the book in high school, but I recently picked the book up for something to read on the long train ride into work each morning.  It turned out to be a good choice, and a book that I really enjoyed, though it took awhile for me to get into it.

The first problem was my own fault.  Somehow I had confused the book with "Lord of the Flies", (which I also escaped from having to read in high school), and I kept waiting for Holden to somehow get stranded on an island in the Pacific.  Needless to say, the story of a confused teenage boy flunking out of college and reluctantly having to go home and tell his parents seemed a strange and slow start to the story of a bunch of boys stranded on an island.  When I finally got myself straightened out, the story started making sense, but it still seemed slow and monotonous.  Hearing this boy complain about every little thing was not grabbing me at all.  I wondered if making the book boring was done on purpose... to mimic the dullness of someone always complaining.

From what I've said so far, you would think that I hated the book, but slowly the plight of this young man began to touch me.  Beneath the constant grumbling and complaining was a kid feeling disillusioned, and not really knowing where to go with his life.  I was actually becoming interested in what was happening to this boy, and how he saw it. 

Catcher in the Rye is an odd book.  On the surface, the story can seem quite boring, yet some people really connect with it from the very beginning.  Some people don't seem to connect with it at all.  And for some, like me, it takes a little while to connect with the book.  I think those who do connect with the book, whether right from the start or after having read a ways into it, are those who recognize either now or somewhere in their lives a feeling of being lost or disillusioned...a confusing mix of apathy, bitterness, regret, anger, fantasy... feelings commonly felt by teenagers as they enter the world of adulthood, but feelings that anyone can feel at any time.  For those who connect with it, reading Catcher in the Rye is like a little light illuminating a part of us that we probably don't often see or wish to recognize, and in which one can learn to feel sympathy towards others (or ourselves) in such a place of emptiness.

If you decide to read this book, my suggestion is that you give it a chance. Don't give up on it too early.  It may surprise you.

Yeah, it wasn't required in high school for me either.  In fact, I had never even heard of the book until after high school.  You know, come to think of it, I don't think I read one book from cover to cover in high school.  Somehow I graduated reading only bodybuilding magazines and the occasional low-brow local newspaper.  I learned a lot about carbohydrates, protein, fat, HDL cholesterol vs. LDL cholesterol, etc., but "catcher in the what?"

The closest thing I ever came to reading this book is to watch a couple films that, from what I understand, have characters that are based on Holden Caulfield: 'Igby Goes Down' and 'The Good Girl.'  Based on your review and what I' know about it from these films, I think I'd like the book.  If there weren't so many darndiddleyarn things to read I would read it for sure. 

That is a very informative review you gave.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

Thanks paradox.  Yeah, I think you would probably like it.  I think it appeals more to those with an introspective bent... which would definitely include me 

LOL, I had to chuckle when you mentioned you mistook it for "Lord of the Flies" (another great book, btw) , silly Ron!!

I think there is a reason why they recommend that reading for high school, as that's the time when kids can relate more to Holden in their own lives, thus as an adult reading that book, it puts it in a whole nother light. Interesting.

ooh! nice!

I read Catcher in the Rye while on break from school. I'd heard many allusions to the book, and many people said they liked it, yet I didn't really know what it was about. It is fascinating, a true inspiration. Holden is so complex that you can't stop thinking about him when you're not reading. Salinger's amazing insights into human nature and his clever style of cynicism is unique to much of literature and better than all contemporary literature. As Holden starts to spiral down, you can't help but feel incredibly sad thinking about his situation. A boy, on the brink of breakdown, speaking of things that make so much sense. It makes you wonder if he's the one going crazy or if it's the way society is that is truly crazy. I will always love this book and I plan on going over it again to underline all the lines that I adored. For the people giving bad reviews, and as I've analyzed their comments, I must say that you missed the boat. I'm sure that you are the people that Holden is making his social critiques on. No symbolism, a boring character that is whining? Come again? Salinger's phrasing of his words is simplistic, but his message is not. Read it again, try and be more perceptive, and think harder about what is really being said. There is enlightenment waiting for you.

Regards
T. Price
Oppapers.com