I read this over the weekend to see what it was all about.

I loathed it. I didn't dislike it as much as Moby Dick in terms of enjoying classic literature, but I the story and motifs and the execution didn't do it for me. Phoniness and disdain of social acceptance were conveyed well through Holden's negativity and perspective but it left me more depressed than Grapes of Wrath. I didn't feel like the redemption through his sister at the end did anything to really change his character. I couldn't sympathize with him and like some critical pieces have said, the story and his character itself is one grand irony in that he is the fake one, too detached to really appreciate anything in the present. His sister makes that clear.

So, I didn't like the book, but why are people so enamored by it? Is it because I'm not the teenager Holden was? That I didn't share his viewpoint of the world?

Despite my issues, I can now recall some books that tried to mimic the style and themes of Catcher, notably, Prep. I guess that's about the only good thing I can say about it.

So, thoughts?

I should really read it again. I remember liking it and sympathizing with Holden when I was 15 or so, but I've changed so much that it would probably be a completely different book. After Angels In America and The Naked and the Dead I'll probably re-read this.

it spoke to me when i was a teenager and read it for the first time. i just identified with that feeling of isolation and frustration. truth be told, i fell in love with the book at the same time i fell in love with pearl jam and songs like jeremy, why go, and deep felt like anthems.

now i have been teaching the book for 6 years. i still find something new every time that i can relate to in some way. it's not the same though, and i'm fucking grateful for that. i do get to see and hear my students' reactions though, and they are always mixed. it's usually either love or loathe. jocks, preps, cheerleaders, yeah, they fucking hate it because all holden does is talk about what they think is mundane shit. and they can't identify because they don't want to admit they're stradlater or the 3 girls in the lavender room. but the kids who don't easily fit into a clique at school really love it. they're not stupid either. they recognize he's a phony. it's not really about that though. it's sort of, dare i say, like seinfeld, in that the story isn't important. what's important is all of the seemingly meaningless shit along the way.

If that's Ja Rule in your avatar, I don't even know you anymore.

Holden is a really unlikable protagonist. However, I really liked the book when I read it 4 or 5 years ago. Meh. I guess I could see why it's not for everyone, but I'm glad I read it and wouldnt mind reading it again sometime.

never read this.

In line with what Nate (Orpheus) said, all the time I was reading it, I kept wondering if I would have reacted the same as if I had read when I was 15/16. I remember being a teenager and being somewhat like Holden, resenting fake people. But I grew up and out of that mindset. It wasn't a healthy one.

So you can teach about the book? How does that go? It's still one of the most banned books from what I understand.

As an aside, a co-worker of mine new Salinger. Their daughters both went to the same school growing up so J.D. would be there with all the other parents. My co-worker said he was a bit weird.

i love this book.... just for some of holden's little ironic insights.

I started reading it and hated it too much to go on.

Did you see the thread? I'm obviously not praising him.

Love the book, I've read it three times so far in my life, the last one being about three years ago. One of the reasons I like it to such a degree is that people can take different themes from it and I think it really captures the mindset a lot of teenagers, not all though, have held at one point. Of course I loath 'fake' people but we are all 'fake.'

exactly....you find yourself totally agreeing with him and seeing in him exactly what he hates...it's just intriguing to me

i actually had a little discussion about this book not too long ago. i came to the realization that when i read this in high school i didn't really appreciate it as much as i did when i read it this past year. something about reading a book for school just totally turns me off. i find myself reading just enough to get by and not really enjoying what the book may have to offer.

that being said, i think this was the first book that i can remember which had the type of writing style that's displayed in this book. it gave off an almost journal-esque feel to it which i find very enjoyable. you read this book like you're reading holden's thoughts which is cool.

anyway, i really enjoyed this one the last time i read it.

a good read. id give it a 9/10

Yea, I definately agree with what you just said. I just read this book for school about 2 months ago and I enjoyed it, however I would've like it much better if I didn't have to read it for school. Salinger's Holdenesque writing style made this book really cool to me.

Yeah, the stram of conciousness writing is one of the big literary elements of the book. I've heard/read some stuff how you could walk away with it that Holden really was crazy. Like, undiagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

hmmm... i see what you mean. the irony was splendid here and there.

but overall, i thought holden was just being pathetic and he was the reason why i disliked the book.

the unlikable and sometimes downright stupid protaganist makes it very, very difficult for me to enjoy the book. part of the reason for that, i'm sure, is that i never read it until i was 27.

there are, however, some wonderful passages in the book.

i got 'franny and zooey' for christmas; i'll likely read it sometime this year.

I assume it's in other bands, and I make a conscious effort not to wade into that cesspool.

You're restored back into my life.

well said... i love this book... i love Holden...

and i taught it to some seniors a few years back, and they loved it... of course, i had to xerox each page of the book for them, because the school sure as hell wasnt putting in an order for me