Review: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

[quietprofanity]

Instead of a review, I'm going to repost here the inscription I wrote inside a fresh copy I bought for my brother.


Dear Mark,

As I came to the end of this book, I knew I wanted you to have a copy of your own. I hope you read it and read it straight through -- the slang is getting a little more removed from our generation, but it's an easy read. I finished it in four days.

This book is about nothing, but it's powerful -- so powerful it contributed to the death of John Lennon. I started the book disliking Holden Caulfield but at the end had to admit (sadly) I'm kind of like him: distrustful of people while wanting to connect with them. The scenes of reflection on childhood also hit me personally -- I wonder if you see that in yourself as well. If you don't, you probably will eventually, but I think you might. You're only two years older than Holden, after all.

In addition, although I came to only really like Holden in the end, I always liked how much he loved his siblings. So I think that makes this gift appropriate. (Although I hope we're more like Holden and Phoebe than D.B. and Holden).

Anyway, I can't wait to talk about this book with you. I hope it moves you like it moved me.

Love,
Becky

Comments

[imayb1.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I hope Mark likes it, too.

Perhaps part of the book's "classic" status is due to the fact that many people can see themselves as Holden-- in some fashion or another.

(Sorry I took so long to reply)

[quietprofanity.livejournal.com]

My barometer of really great, favorite work is when I can read something in a book and go, "You are absolutely right and you UNDERSTAND." I think that's true of Holden, but to be honest I don't think you should live like Holden. I think the emotional truth of the book comes in his last teacher's speech, when he talks to Holden about using his disgust to push people away and all that. I think that speech is the true heart of the book.