Book Review: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is one of those books that one may read over and over again, and never get bored. It clangs and jingles with the outpourings of sentiments, sentiments which erupt from the pellmell of the juvenile years in the life of a boy named Holden Caufield.

Written in a 1st person narrative, the book gushes with the tohubohu of his adolescence and boyhood.
Irked by who he calls as “phonies”, aka his fellow schoolmates, Holden decides to leave his school Pencey Prep. Stepping into the rubbly arena of the outer world, Holden seems to feel alienated, disoriented and miffy at its absurdity. The text that follows in the book elaborates upon these emotions in a tangle of brilliantly-crafted interior monologue that turns out to be utterly savoury to the reading sense.

The book features an epistolary format, which means that it is written in the form of letters addressed to the reader and divided into chapters.
The Catcher in the Rye is a popular title among the community of writers though the first time I came across it was, while I was reading Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, coincidentally when I too was amidst my college life.
Talking about her experience of reading this book, Anne Lamott writes,

“When I read 'Catcher in the Rye' for the first time I knew what it was like to have someone speak for me, to close a book with a sense of both triumph and relief, one lonely isolated social animal finally making contact.” – Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Even more so, the book enjoys the spotlight in Gates Notes too, as Bill Gates’ Favourite Reads of 2013.

“I’ve read The Catcher in the Rye a bunch of times—it’s one of my favorite books ever.” – Bill Gates

Apart from Holden, his dorm-mates Stradlater and Ackley represent interesting characters, and so do the characters representing his school alumni Ossenburger, his history teacher Mr. Spencer, his English teacher Mr. Antolini and more.
Absolutely in love with the book, I have read The Catcher in the Rye dozens of times, and I look forward to reading it multiple times further and more. Without a speck of doubt, the book is my all-time favourite recommendation for all avid readers. And if you’re a writer, just read it my friend, just read it!
Moving ahead, here are some relatable and soul-stirring quotes from the book presented in a short video.

Thank you and Good day!

Neha 🙂
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