Review: The Catcher in the Rye

by R.D. Salinger

A controversial classic

Set in the 1950s, the book follows Holden Caulfield, a young boy’s growth dealing with trials and tribulations of growing up whilst railing against it. The book is polarising for this reason: he is unlikeable, hypocritical, a complainer and immature. He feels isolated and finds it difficult growing up. Yet the reason for this is his resisting of the growth to maturity and wants to retain his idealized view of how a child sees the world. He is desperate for connection but alienates everybody he encounters: it’s all due to the way he is that creates the problem.

The 16 year old Holden observes a tragedy, deliberates on his interactions with women, his failure to do well in school and clashing with schoolmates. He muddles through these interactions, seeming to blame anything but himself for how these events pan out.

Many of his interactions manifest his resentment in a similar pattern: a derogatory statement about ‘how somebody is’ or why he doesn’t like them or what they do, and then Holden’s hypocrisy in doing the act he criticised others for or lying or making assumptions about other people. For example, he complains that one of his dorm-mates Stradlater never lets things go, at which point Holden pesters Stradlater relentlessly about something.

I can see why this book is polarising, these interactions are repeated to make a point. But they serve a deeper purpose and exploration of Holden’s resentment: arguably nobody really tells him he’s out of line or tries to correct him firmly albeit he is difficult to deal with.

On his date he makes unfair and immature remarks about homosexual men and alienates his date, who leaves early. He is the driver behind a lot of his misfortune, and his resentment grows as he blames the world for it.

Exciting enough?

Written in 1951, the book does not use much archaic language but I also would not exactly call it easy to read. Once you’ve interpreted the purpose of the book, it might become slightly tedious in how it repeatedly illustrates Holden’s irascible nature. There aren’t exactly huge moments of dramatic tension: Holden tends to tumble or fall through interactions and developments. I will caveat this with this is definitely not the kind of book that is my first port of call when getting something new to read. Also, the book is quite short: I read it within two settings comfortably. I think this length suits the purpose.

Holden on to resentment

We don’t see a huge amount of character progression, Holden acts far more reasonably with his sister towards the end of the book and the book ends on him ‘being hopeful towards the future’, but this is about as far as change is explored. Phoebe challenges him towards the end but Holden remains the same. Perhaps the book would have benefited from some events occurring where Holden realises he has to accept the challenge of the mature world rather than fighting futilely against it at every turn. There isn’t much evidence that Holden will compromise his immaturity for the greater connection he desperately seeks, even though it ends on a hopeful note.

Original, but not grabbing

This is arguably a book that fans of literary classics will read. Personally, I thought it was interesting and unique, but it wasn’t the most readable book despite it’s short length. The language wasn’t anything special and difficult topics are touched on – such as Mr Antolini or the prostitute – but not explored further. It is worth reading as a cultural and literary classic, but I do think it’s quite far down the list in terms of classics that you could read.

Final score

A unique book that some people might struggle through. There’s other bigger and better literary classics to read first, but this one is definitely unique if not necessarily particularly strong.

6/10