Catcher in the Rye

By J.D. Salinger (1951)

The first book in some of my friends' and my book club. We chose it in part for its legacy, but also its length (it's short). Catcher in the Rye might not have held up to the "hype", but it was still a captivating insight into a wandering soul, and understandably relatable at times in its angst. 

The protagonist of this book is Holden Caulfield, a teenage boy who simply doesn't feel at home in this world. He finds everything a little bit stupid; there are too many rules in society. He finds most people "alright" but generally boring, excepting a few he idolizes. I'm not going to lie, he's not the most likeable character for most of the book. However, he has a sincerity that is appealing, as he is never afraid to be himself or engagae strangers in genuine conversations. This is a trait that some of my favorite characters have - not caring about social formalities, and simply living life. As we learn more about Holden's struggles, I think he becomes a bit more endearing, and by the end of the book I was surely rooting for him. The book isn't about much in terms of plot, but it is an interesting perspective on the internal struggles of not knowing your place in the world, and the feeling that I'm sure many people have of thinking the whole world is just a bit crazy.

(04/05/22)