Books and Writing - The Catcher in the Rye | J. D. Salinger #1: Holden Caulfield thinks you're a phony.......

Lennie1984 · 08-01-2012, 04:58 PM

Synopsis
"The Catcher in Rye" is the ultimate novel for disaffected youth, but it's relevant to all ages. The story is told by Holden Caulfield, a seventeen-year-old dropout who has just been kicked out of his fourth school. Throughout, Holden dissects the 'phony' aspects of society, and the 'phonies' themselves: the headmaster whose affability depends on the wealth of the parents, his roommate who scores with girls using sickly-sweet affection.Lazy in style, full of slang and swear words, it's a novel whose interest and appeal comes from its observations rather than its plot intrigues (in conventional terms, there is hardly any plot at all). Salinger's style creates an effect of conversation, it is as though Holden is speaking to you personally, as though you too have seen through the pretences of the American Dream and are growing up unable to see the point of living in, or contributing to, the society around you. Written with the clarity of a boy leaving childhood, it deals with society, love, loss, and expectations without ever falling into the clutch of a cliche.

“I don’t exactly know what I mean by that but I meant it.” — Holden Caulfield

“Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.” — The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)

“That’s the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty, even if they’re not much to look at, or even if they’re sort of stupid, you fall in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are. Girls. Jesus Christ. They can drive you crazy. They really can.” — J. D. Salinger

“I think that one of these days you’re going to have to find out where you want to go. And then you’ve got to start going there.” — J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

water lilies · 08-02-2012, 06:31 AM

This was my favorite book I had to read in high school.

Lennie1984 · 08-02-2012, 02:31 PM

Its still one of my faves....... i read this ages ago, and i have this urge to read it again lol

water lilies · 08-03-2012, 07:44 AM

It'd be nice to re-read this and see if I like it as much as I remember.

Lennie1984 · 08-03-2012, 09:12 AM

^ Same here

This book is hard to explain to other i find...... i always comment on it whenever i see it around book shops or in the library to my friends, but its hard to explain why the book is liked and how it is lol

water lilies · 08-06-2012, 06:36 PM

Yeah, it's hard to describe it. I think part of the appeal is Holden himself. He held nothing back and the themes in the book are still relevant today.

Lennie1984 · 08-06-2012, 08:24 PM

Holden as a character as you say was something else...... yes the themes today does linger on

Also no movie has been made of this book which i am so surprised at, but i think its coz no one has got the permission to i assume

water lilies · 08-07-2012, 05:07 PM

Yeah, Salinger was a recluse and didn't want to be in the public eye.

Lennie1984 · 10-28-2012, 08:36 AM

Seems like it

I hope someone makes a movie on this, or something similar i guess

HazelEyes008 · 06-05-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lennie1984 (View Post)

Seems like it

I hope someone makes a movie on this, or something similar i guess

I hope too

**fly me to the moon** · 06-05-2016, 12:36 PM

I really like this book..

Drunk On You · 06-05-2016, 09:53 PM

I never had to read this in school.

Stay to the Lights · 06-06-2016, 06:41 AM

I've never read it either.

HazelEyes008 · 06-06-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly me to the moon (View Post)

I really like this book..

Me too

Its one of those classic books.

**fly me to the moon** · 06-06-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunk On You (View Post)

I never had to read this in school.

I never read it in school til I decide to read it since I been seeing others talk about it..

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Fan Forum > General Discussion > Books and Writing > The Catcher in the Rye \| J. D. Salinger #1: Holden Caulfield thinks you're a phony.......