The Catcher in the Rye seems to be hugely popular.....am I missing something?

Question

While I did enjoy it, from a literary point of view I feel it has been largley overrated over the years.

Additionally, Holden Caulfield (while a complex character), is a bit of a bore in my opinion.

Just my humble thoughts.....would love to hear yours

Ann, it's a shame you felt the need to delete your paragraphs.

WereWolf - I'm 32 years old......I am passionate about classic literature, and widely read. Thanks for your input though

Answer 1

I think a lot of readers found a part of themselves in Holden that they had never seen in a literary character before. I mean, sure, there were lots of angsty characters running around literature before that, like Jay Gatsby, for instance. But Holden's desperate uncertainty was something that hadn't really been captured before.

Answer 2

I read it last summer. I enjoyed it. Im sure that when this book was first published, the reason it was so popular was the style of Salinger's writing. I liked how he characterized Holden. I must say, the main reason I read it was just to be able to say that I had read it, being as it is a classic.
It was really good, and I think everyone should read it at some point. But honestly, I'd much rather be reading a Chuck Palahniuk book.
If you're into this kind of writing, I'd definitely recommend Palahniuk. He's a genius. His books are quite a bit more strange that Catcher in the Rye, but I enjoy them. Very entertaining.

Answer 3

I agree with you, I was not impressed by Catcher in The Rye. Of course, in my case, I read it at 24 and was able to clearly see where I would have thoroughly enjoyed it as a teenager. I dont suppose age is an overwhelming factor in enjoyment, people of all ages love this book, but it was also the last of the Salinger works I had left to read.

I LOVE Nine Stories, and Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters was also a favorite. If we're comparing literary characters, Seymore Glass is infinitely more intriguing to me than Holden Caufield, but to each his own.

I think Caufield is intriguing to people because he operates with such inner unrest but seems to mask it all with something particularly cold and casual. Also, he is searching for something, but never seems to operate with the hope that he will actually find it. It's a little existential in delivery (he is "what he does", not so much "how he feels")

In all fairness, I should really go back and read it again. I think the hype built me up for my first read, leaving me a bit disappointed. I would suggest, if you havent read Nine Stories, that you pick it up and give it a whirl. "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and "Teddy" remain 2 of my most near and dear short stories even 8 years after my initial reading of them.

Answer 4

It was a brilliant book, better than the trash known today as Harry Potter. Have you read many books? Classics? If you haven’t, then you can't rightly complain. The literary style of this book is pure genius for the reason being that you can't write a teenage book of which the characters need to feel and connect with in Third person. Think about it, the character Holden fits nearly all descriptions of teenagers these days (unlike the 'Heroic' Harry Plopper). He is lazy, whiney, austere, cynical and sometimes depressed. He's the sort of character you, at first, can't connect with, a person you cant help but get slightly annoyed at, but eventually, you fall for him and begin to understand him more.
If you think this book is overrated in literary aspects, you really need to delve into more classics. The Harry Potter tripe is way more overrated than this and its literary aspects are trash. It’s is nothing more than mind candy, rotting away already festering young brains.
Sorry for being so blunt, but I can't stand it when kids ruin their minds on present literary junk, and not the past, but hey, It's my opinion, 'tis your decision to press the 'Thumbs Down' button.
Holden is one of the most interesting characters I've read in my years of reading and the Catcher in the Rye is one of the best books I've read.

[Edit]
The first two questions were directed at you and they were straight questions, not having a go at you. The rest was for the benefit of anyone else.
Followed by my opinion.
So, nothing against you.

Answer 5

The book's biggest fans are those that felt a very similar form of alienation as a teen. If you didn't feel like you and everyone in the world was going crazy as a teen, you probably won't connect with it as much.

I didn't care for it when I read it in high school, but I loved it when I read it again when I was about 18.

For those who enjoy "Catcher in the Rye," I'd suggest reading "Run, Rabbit, Run," by John Updike. It's a similar story of dissolution and confusion, but it happens to someone a little older and with a wife and baby.

Answer 6

Hi there, you might find these interesting, or perhaps not.

J. D. Salinger. The Catcher In The Rye.
Student Study Guides


These links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/citr/

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/catcher.asp

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/catcherrye/

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-53.html

http://www.novelguide.com/thecatcherintherye/

http://www.jiffynotes.com/CatcherintheRyeThe/HistoricalContext.html

http://www.bookwolf.com/Free_Booknotes/Catcher_in_the_Rye__by_J_Salin/catcher_in_the_rye__by_j_salin.html

http://summarycentral.tripod.com/thecatcherintherye.htm

http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Catcher_In_The_Rye/Catcher_In_The_Rye01.html

http://www.homework-online.com/tcitr/index.asp

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=122750&lastnode_id=0


ESSAYS

http://www.freeessays.cc/db/18/exw280.shtml

http://www.freeessays.cc/db/18/exw288.shtml

Answer 7

I just think people enjoy because they can easily relate to the main character. Teens especially seem to enjoy it because Holden seems to speak their language and find him to be quite amusing. I think it all just depends on your personality and age.

Answer 8

I never cared for Catcher in the Rye. I have heard tell though that the book is preferred by serial killers. Sort of adds to it's mystique.

Answer 9

I think it's one of those books that's good for school's but isn't a great as it's knocked up to be. Sure there are plenty of books I'd rather read, but there are plenty I'd choose this over too.

Answer 10

I found it boring, too. I have a Master's degree. Just don't like that type of literature!