Book-The Catcher in the Rye

It has been more than 20 years since I have read The Catcher in the Rye, the classic book by J.D. Salinger. I read it during my first semester at State in a course called Modern American Fiction taught by Professor McCaffery (who I did not like much). Its funny when you read a novel for a course, you first of all read it so fast, because as an English major you have about 25 other novels before the end of the semester. You also read it for what you think your professor might find important, so you can regurgitate that back to them in an essay. So I have wanted to read this novel again, for myself, for enjoyment.

It is a classic for a reason. Told in a first person narrative by a young man, a boy really named Holden Caulfield. And the voice of Holden is unique. I do remember when I first read it I thought Holden was a bit of a complainer, and I wondered if I would find him annoying this time. The exact opposite. Holden is confused, and certainly sometimes crude, but his depth of feeling shines through.

One other thing I remember being asked of us students---can we trust what Holden says to us? Is what he says what is really happening or is there more going on? And I think you cannot trust Holden's words, but you can trust most of his feelings.

It is remarkable that this book remains a touchstone for those who have trouble seeing the sense of everything, the rat race and the conformity, the rules and the demands. It is a wonder more do not lose it like Holden.

But his story is also very personal...there have been events that have made it harder for him to make sense of this mundane existence, things that have happened that no one seems to understand...at least they do not understand how these thing can effect a sensitive, smart and deeply loving teenager.

Catcher caught me by surprise...with how impactful it still is to me as an adult...a middle-aged adult to boot. It is maybe even more impactful to me now for some reason....The Catcher in the Rye is a classic, because it speaks to many ages, to many minds and souls. It captures the essence of confusion in this modern age, the questions of why do we do this, why are we afraid to love and show our true selves. Why does this modern society seem to revel in us all becoming the same.

Catcher is still, and will be for decades if not centuries, a classic.