What's so great about the book THE CATCHER IN THE RYE?

Question

Could someone plase explain this to me? I have read the book and I just don't see it.. decent.. but I don't understand the point of it all. And why it is so acclaimed.

Also, why do all the whacko's get so into it? Weren't there a couple murders who had the book on them or something?

motoson -- I just want to know what people like yourself, that liked it, liked about it.. or if you know why it is so acclaimed please explain this. I just don't understand what is sooooo special about it.

Answer 1

The Catcher in the Rye captures the sense of samvega:

* the oppressive sense of shock, dismay, and alienation that come with realizing the futility and meaninglessness of life as it's normally lived;
* a chastening sense of one's own complacency and foolishness in having let oneself live so blindly;
* and an anxious sense of urgency in trying to find a way out of the meaningless cycle.

A lot of critics interpret it as just teenage angst, and those are typically the people who don't understand it or think that it's pointless. The beauty of Holden Caulfield is that his pain is real--he's not just some mixed up teenager--the world really is that meaningless and worrying, and we can feel for him that he realizes it when nobody else seems to get it (except maybe his brother and sister). Holden could have easily gone past that and realized something better (Buddhists call it pasada), but he didn't. He just feels existential angst. Again, stressing that it's more than just teenage angst. He feels real serious German philosopher type angst, and he's desperate to do something about it.

It's like James Joyce's epiphany. The elements all come together and it just hits you--you feel what Holden feels. Only it's not a feeling of wonderment or beauty. It's just total despair. It's like being a character in a zombie movie. You don't know how the dead rose from their graves to feed on the living--you just know that it's terrible. It would be better if you knew that it was government scientists or the Devil, because at least then it would make sense. But there is no explanation. There is only chaos and total horror.

Whackos probably get into it because they feel that, too. The only difference between a whacko and a normal person (at least before the psychotic break when they go kill somebody) is that whackos realize how messed up the world really is. If you have that sort of realization, you could easily become either a saint or a killer. Or just a homeless alcoholic. It all depends on whether you surpass the whacko stage and gain spiritual insight into how you can stop the suffering before it finally destroys you.

The only difference between a wise man and a fool is that a wise man knows when he's making mistakes. Some people are so foolish that they don't even realize they're suffering. They think they just went through some "teenage angst" at one point and now everything's okay. Well...it's not okay. This world is a frigging nightmare.

There was no catcher in the rye to stop you from running off that cliff. You fell. Like Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden--you fell. Now you have to figure out what to do about it.

Answer 2

Nothing! Nothing is so great about it! I have heard that it's the book that a person is supposed to read and love in high school. I have heard people say that they can relate sooooo much to the main character. I read the book in high school and my opinion was the same as yours.

A good deal of my dislike came from a gutteral rejection of Salinger's writing style, but if the style does it for you, or if you are into the story and don't pay attention to the style, then I suppose I could see how you would like the book (although I have some trouble seeing how a person could relate to the protagonist very much).

Answer 3

I think one reason why high schoolers are supposed to relate to it is because it's an age of angst, which is pretty much where Holden Caulfield is. Like him, people in their teens are nettled, rebellious and ungrateful. I love "The Catcher in the Rye" and it is one of the books that changed my life. I was struck by Holden's fascination with fake people; after I read it, I was able to analyze the people around me as well as myself and realize what was fake about us. Whenever I call someone out on being fake, Holden springs to mind.

The guy who shot John Lennon was carrying a copy of Salinger's work, and the man who had the obsession with Jody Foster was reportedly a big fan of "The Catcher In The Rye." If you watch the movie "Conspiracy Theory," Mel Gibson's character is also very concerned with the book--I forget whether he simple monitors its sales or feels compelled to buy a copy every time he's in a book store. I don't know how or why the book is connected to these oddjobs, but there we are.

Answer 4

You should read KING DORK by Frank Portman. It's a 2006 YA book and it just wonderful. :) This is what YA author John Green had to say about it:

This book is for you if you're in a band or wish you were, if you loved or hated The Catcher in the Rye, if you like girls or are one, if you've ever spoken Fracais, or Franglais, or if your high school has or had a dumb mascot. Basically if you are a human being with even a vague grasp of the English language, King Dork will rock your world.

And Ned Vizzini (another author) said "King Dork is unique: a detective-story ode to hormones, teenage bands, and the books they make you read in high school. Hilarious, unflinching, and surprising from start to finish."

Answer 5

J. D. Salinger. The Catcher In The Rye.

I have found 12 summaries for you to look at, click the link below. I have included a short extract to give you a taste of what the reviews have to offer and they’re FREE..!!!

http://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=66

http://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=The+Catcher+in+the+Rye

http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/catcher.html

http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/catcher2.html

Chapter 1

Summary

The novel opens with the first-person narrator, Holden Caulfield, speaking directly to a psychoanalyst or psychologist. Because he has had a complete mental breakdown, Holden has been sent to this "rest home" for treatment. As he talks, his mind frequently wanders and, therefore, his story is often filled with digressions. The first digression is about D.B., Holden�s older brother who is a writer. He feels that D. B. has "sold-out" in his literary career, for he is now in Hollywood writing screenplays, like a "prostitute". More…..

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCatcher11.asp

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.

Answer 6

it a fantastic book because of many reasons-there was a lot of hype about it initally because it was a racy book at the time..it was also not based on a specific story line---it has a much deeper meaning that many people were not used to. J.D. salinger wrote a book based on emotions and society. not on a story-line. when you read a book, you should not only read it for enjoyment, but read it to change your preception of the world around you. if you look at the symbolism of holdens red hat and the ducks in central park, you will understand why the book is a true literary masterpiece. don't look at it as a story, look at it as an idea.

Answer 7

I personally think it's overrated. It's good. I don't think it's the enduring masterpiece that many people think it is, though. The narrator's voice is very vividly realized and very authentic. A middle-aged novelist who slips successfully into the skin of an angst-ridden teenager and sustains that voice throughout a whole book has performed a feat. I think it's the first-person narration that makes it seem so remarkable. Carson McCullers wrote equally affecting books about adolescents, but since they are in third-person-limited, perhaps they don't come across as similarly brilliant narrative feats. I think her characters are more interesting that Holden Caulfield, though.

Answer 8

not that much. it has just become some sort of a fad - people like to prop up so called "coming of age" type books. perhaps someone will argue that it was groundbreaking, or some kind of statement-of-self but i think that our culture has evolved where such an enterprise may be undertaken in a variety of ways. im not saying it sucks, im just saying that it had its 15 minutes, lets move on, and not hang around with our heads fully in the past.....is anyone ready to say something like "if we do not make ourselves aware of the problems of the past, we are sure to repeat them"? because i just know that people love nostalgic quotes like that.

Answer 9

well i loved it. not everyone has the same preference or opinion of books, if u readin the book didnt help u understand why its so great, how can someone else tell u why it is. it wouldnt matter. but ur missin out on a wonderful piece of lit

Answer 10

Nothing, I hated that book. The plot was horrible. I have no idea why some many people like it.