REVIEW
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
Ana Paula Priego Guarneros
One can argue that a lovable and relatable main character is the basis for every good young adult novel. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger flips this statement on its head.
This 1952 novel follows sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield as he attempts to navigate the impending changes in his life as he approaches adulthood. Not comfortable with the reality that he has to grow up, Holden has lost himself and succumbed to the pressure of expectations. We follow his story right after he has been kicked out of his expensive prep school and his attempts of hiding in New York City as a way of delaying the repercussions of his actions.
For a book that essentially lacks a plot, the value behind this novel relies heavily on the quick-witted and cynical discussions about adulthood that occur in Holden’s mind. Caulfield struggles to accept the fact that his childhood has an expiration date. The novel isn’t just about a kid managing his transition into adulthood; it’s about a teenager that’s lost his sense of identity and is using his journey around New York City to recount events from his past as a sorry attempt of finding himself again.
The value behind this novel relies heavily on the quick-witted and cynical discussions about adulthood that occur in Holden’s mind.
But the Holden Caulfield he’s searching for no longer exists, and as the story progresses, both Hold and the reader come to terms with this fact of life. Experiences and time are destined to change us, and if we lose ourselves along the way, we cannot be found in our past; we must search for ourselves in the present.
All in all, The Catcher in the Rye is a misunderstood classic. Understandably, this book might not be for everyone, thanks to Holden’s heavily criticized angsty, and brooding personality. Everyone must learn to evaluate what the story is truly about: A fun and somehow also depressing story of how a boy found himself again.
“The novel isn’t just about a kid managing his transition into adulthood, it’s about a teenager that’s lost his sense of identity”