The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

I heard a lot of fuss about The Catcher in the Rye before I ever picked up the book. Generally read in high school sophomore English classes, I somehow dodged the bullet and never had to read it. I decided to read it on my own time, though, convinced it was necessary to read classic literature such as itself.

Written from a first person perspective, Salinger writes from the prospective of a teenage boy, Holden Caulfield, who has just gotten himself kicked out of another prep school he had been attending. He feels no remorse or regret about it, only worry that his parents will be upset with him for flunking out.

The book in itself is a coming-of-age novel. We walk alongside the character as he starts to grow up over the course of a weekend spent both away from school and home.

Overall, I only found the book satisfactory. While I loved the writing style and the abundant symbolism, the main character himself was irritating to the point where I just wanted to finish the book so I wouldn't have to hear his opinion of everything under the son. He hates everything, he's not kidding about anything, he thinks everyone's a phony and doesn't realize that he is a phony himself.

I did enjoy seeing the character grow, though. It was natural and realistic. The ending wasn't some life-altering revelation, but you could see that Holden was growing into his breeches, so to speak. He was getting there.

So though the main character is quite an irritating kid and uses the word g-d so many times that even if it doesn't offend you, it will be irritating; I'm glad I read it. The style in itself was one I enjoyed experiencing.

Would I read it a second time, though? Not unless I absolutely had to.

 Rating: ♥ ♥