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

Overall Rating

A provocative and powerful novel that brings forth many questions to the reader. a very important and original masterpiece.

None.....honestly! It's great!

J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye - Synopsis:
"Holden Caulfield, a teenager growing up in 1950s New York, has been expelled from school for poor achievement once again. In an attempt to deal with this he leaves school a few days prior to the end of term, and goes to New York to 'take a vacation' before returning to his parents' inevitable wrath. Told as a monologue, the book describes Holden's thoughts and activities over these few days, during which he describes a developing nervous breakdown, symptomised by his bouts of unexplained depression, impulsive spending and generally odd, erratic behavior, prior to his eventual nervous collapse. However, during his psychological battle, life continues on around Holden as it always had, with the majority of people ignoring the 'madman stuff' that is happening to him - until it begins to encroach on their well defined social codes".

Salinger's controversial novel was given its notoriety when it was banned in America following its first publication. Mark Chapman (of the John Lennon assassination fame) asked the former Beatle to kindly sign a copy of the book earlier in the morning, on the day he murdered that same Mr. Lennon. The police (not the band, you fool) found the book in his possession upon arresting Chapman. The book contains nothing that could be attributed with leading Chapman to his devious act other than the rather weak link of the two characters being psychologically disturbed. The media pounced on the novel with wild claims and speculations of any possible connection.

Throughout the novel, the question is subtly put forward to the reader to look at the way society seems to ignore and not recognize the decline in Holden's condition. Holden begins to question himself as the ignorant and empty one rather than his previous stance that the world was full of "phonies". Is it really him or is society to blame?

The novel questions ourselves and the world in which we inhabit. You are forced to look at the way society cocoons us in a selfish and self-absorbed world that's reflected in the attitudes of everyone. The book is a provocative and challenging read. Highly recommended.