Our book for discussion this month was Catcher in the Rye written by J D Salinger and first published in 1951. This evoked a variety of responses from...'couldn't finish it, I had other books I would rather read' to 'can't wait to read it again and discuss it with my son'. Others suggested that they were glad they had read it even though they really didn't enjoy it..
Most agreed it was a difficult book to read and either didn't like or became frustrated with the main character, Holden Caulfield.
*he was a thoroughly unlikeable young man
*lonely discontented young man
*poor little rich boy trying to grow up too quickly
*amazed at the life style of a 16 year old
There were thoughts expressed that the story was about 'unresolved grief' over the death of his brother. This lead to what was assumed to be a nervous breakdown. There was hope at the end though, when he talks about the people he missed.
There were problems with an absent father, not uncommon in those times, and a mother who was barely coping. It is only his younger sister Phoebe that he shows any affection and concern for.
After hearing a bit more about the author's own life, there were thoughts that some of the story may have been autobiographical.
The book was originally written for adults and panned by critics when first published. But is now studied in many schools and Holden has become an icon for teenage rebellion.
Next month: books by Mitch Albom
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