The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

I know this novel is pretty much required reading these days for high school students, but for some reason I was never assigned it (I think it was because I placed in the honor's class or something... I know I remember seeing some of my friends with copies way back then).

Anyway, I finally got around to reading it and I loved it. Holden is a superbly realized character. As for the repetative language, well the book is written in the first person, and the narrator is emotionally troubled/immature, and thus I think Salinger was very effective in giving Holden a voice.

I am very interested in reading more of Salinger's works... I've just ordered Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction, which I understand represents the rest of his output. It's a shame he hasn't written more.

By the way, why no J.D. Salinger author section?

It was from 'and all that David Copperfield Kind of crap' where I became disinterested; and it was all downhill from there

David Copperfield is a true masterpiece unlike this horrid pretender.

While I won't say my reading of the book is the only valid one, I still feel the point of the novel is missed by those who love it as well as those who don't. People talk about Salinger writing "against" phonies, people talk about all the "chrissakes" and "goddams", and talk about Holden's very vitriolic, very adolescent temperament and whether or not they can relate to it. You see, I suspect many young readers simply relate (or don't relate) to Holden and his angst, and therefore assume that they share Salinger's temperament and attitude, without considering Holden as a literary creation separate from Salinger. Salinger didn't want us to simply relate to and idolize Holden as some do. He wanted us to see that he complains about the people who get in his reading light, but that he's also very inconsiderate about getting into other people's shaving light! He wanted us to see Holden not as ourselves but as a flawed human being, who loved his little brother dearly, and when that brother died, went out and cut his hand by punching all the windows in the garage. I'm getting carried away here. I just wish more people would talk about those sort of moments, the really meaningful moments in the novel, and not just the funny, surfacey stuff that will either endear you or alienate you.

I read this book a few years ago, and to be honest I can hardly even remember the narrative. Though I really didn't find it that striking. As the original poster said, Holden's narrative voice does indeed come across as very 'phoney'.

I think I might like to re-read this book though, as it is one considered by many as a 'classic', I might just not have got it on my first read.

I didn't really liked it, for me it was a rather average book. When I shared my opinion in another forum I was scolded and sent to reread it when I grow up :p This left me a bitter memory :lol: in addition to the disappointment from the unsatisfying reading.

A few months later I started reading a short story from Salinger and surprisingly the story turned out to be a wonderful read. I continued reading his short stories and I realised I actually like Salinger's works. So, if you want to read Salinger I will rather recommend his short stories, in my opinion they are much better.

Thanks for that recommendation Alexei. I haven't heard anything about his short stories before, so I'll have to check them out.

I also heard that 'Franny & Zooey' is a decent read, however I've not read it myself.

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Originally Posted by Caspa

Thanks for that recommendation Alexei. I haven't heard anything about his short stories before, so I'll have to check them out.

I also heard that 'Franny & Zooey' is a decent read, however I've not read it myself.

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You are welcome :):):)
I think so too. Well, actually I have read only the first part of it ("Franny"), but it was really good. I am not sure how to define what exactly makes it such a good reading. It's a bit odd for a short story, but it's short so you can give it a try anyway. I suppose the second one is also very good.

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Originally Posted by Caspa

Holden's narrative voice does indeed come across as very 'phoney'.

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Well, his "voice" has been confirmed as very authentic for New England adolescents of the time. But Holden being a phony is one of Salinger's points.

I believe that The Catcher in the Rye is a masterpiece, but it is only so for a readership of a specific age range between 13 and 16. It catches all those confusing feelings that most of us experience, but largely irrelevant to adults.

I love it. I am captured by the last scene in the book when Holden's younger sister tried her best to run away from home with him, and after that they played in the park together.