Catcher in the Rye

***Jonathan*** · 04-16-2003, 11:07 AM

I've just read J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye for the second time (this time in English).
This controversial book is one of the best things I have ever read. I think the book was even banned in America shortly after its publication.
The story about Holden Caulfield, who is having a nervous breakdown and is in the verge of going insane, really appealed to me. I really love books and films where the main character is like Holden. The main characters shouldn't be heroes, not a care in the world. I find them much more interesting if they are having psychological problems, are depressed etc.

I'm going to read more books of Salinger, and I hope they are equally good as Catcher in the Rye.
More authors should write like Salinger!

EDIT: The thread has been moved to the right forum. Good.

congressmn · 04-16-2003, 11:57 AM

I luved the book myself. Amazing! His charachter is so honest!

**crickhollow** · 04-16-2003, 01:22 PM

Happy to oblige,

Ornelírë Mistë · 04-17-2003, 02:40 PM

I loved this book. And I agree, people with spychological problems are more interesting.

***IronParrot*** · 04-18-2003, 11:31 PM

I finally read Catcher not too long ago. I think it was an achievement in the sense that it broke a lot of unwritten rules and conventions of storytelling technique and style. It amazes me that something like Salinger's work was considered controversial back then; that, to me, says a lot about the mentality of 1940s society.

cassiopeia · 04-19-2003, 01:36 AM

I can't believe they actually banned this book. It is actually required reading at school here; the reason I read it was my sister had to buy it for her course. I can see why it's controversial, at least back in the 1940's.
Once I started to read it, I couldn's stop. I didn't get the impression Holden was going insane. I thought he was just a messed up kid who needed to apply himself.

***Jonathan*** · 04-19-2003, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cassiopeia
I didn't get the impression Holden was going insane. I thought he was just a messed up kid who needed to apply himself.

Maybe Holden wasn't going insane, but I found it more interesting to look at it that way. Anyway, he was completely messed up.

Boy, Salinger's Catcher in the Rye has had a great impact on my book taste. Almost every time I read a book where the main character is messed up in one way or another, I automatically tend to think that it's a really good book. I can't help it. Does someone else think like this, or am I mad?

sun-star · 04-22-2003, 10:50 AM

I loved this book! I didn't think he was mad - seems like an accurate portrayal of what it's like to be a teenager to me

***IronParrot*** · 04-22-2003, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Boy, Salinger's Catcher in the Rye has had a great impact on my book taste. Almost every time I read a book where the main character is messed up in one way or another, I automatically tend to think that it's a really good book. I can't help it. Does someone else think like this, or am I mad?

I think, then, that you probably have a great deal of affection for Salinger's work and thus, also related to the milliards of Holden Caulfield ripoffs out there.

I found, at several points in the novel, that Holden was far more intelligent than any sort of average teenager (having been acquainted with many teenagers who are superficially depressed and not very good at it, either) - but it was all part of a potential that he did not develop.

***Jonathan*** · 04-22-2003, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IronParrot
I found, at several points in the novel, that Holden was far more intelligent than any sort of average teenager (having been acquainted with many teenagers who are superficially depressed and not very good at it, either) - but it was all part of a potential that he did not develop.

Holden said that everyone in his family was intelligent, he was the only exception. It's likely that he was a bit self-critizising and I agree with you that he seemed quite clever, even though he was poor in school.

galadriel · 04-25-2003, 01:39 PM

I adore this book....

But anyway, I think Holden needed to be an intelligent character. Otherwise, he wouldn't really understand how screwed up the world around him is, and this screwed-up-ness wouldn't bother him as much.

Anglorfin · 05-11-2003, 11:21 PM

One of my favorite books of all time. I am glad that it is required reading in high school. This year I also had to read Salinger's"Nine Stories". That book is very odd. I don't like it barely at all because I'm not really a short story person. It's a very odd and confusing book overall too.

***Jonathan*** · 05-12-2003, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anglorfin
One of my favorite books of all time. I am glad that it is required reading in high school. This year I also had to read Salinger's"Nine Stories". That book is very odd. I don't like it barely at all because I'm not really a short story person. It's a very odd and confusing book overall too.

I bought that nine-story-book but I havent started reading it yet. I'm quite fond of short stories (much thanks to E.A. Poe) so I hope I get a different view of the book that you did.

Lalaith · 05-12-2003, 11:55 AM

Hiya, can somebody tell me if this book is very difficult to read in English?

galadriel · 05-12-2003, 01:48 PM

English... as opposed to another language?

It's pretty easy since it's insanely casual... although there is some outdated slang. But you can usually guess what he means.

Lalaith · 05-12-2003, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by galadriel
English... as opposed to another language?

It's pretty easy since it's insanely casual... although there is some outdated slang. But you can usually guess what he means.

Thanks. I have to decide wether to read the original book in english or the german translation, but usually I prefer to original book.

***Jonathan*** · 05-12-2003, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lalaith
Thanks. I have to decide wether to read the original book in english or the german translation, but usually I prefer to original book.

Read it in English. I read it both in Swedish and English, and as much of the 'feeling' was left out in the Swedish version, I found the English version better.
I guess the 'feeling' is altered in the German version too, so read it in English.

Lalaith · 05-12-2003, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonathan
Read it in English. I read it both in Swedish and English, and as much of the 'feeling' was left out in the Swedish version, I found the English version better.
I guess the 'feeling' is altered in the German version too, so read it in English.

I'll do that. I'll buy it when I make the next huge amazon order. (which means when I have money again)
Thanks.

***HOBBIT*** · 06-08-2003, 04:31 PM

I have to read this for school over the summer (along with To Kill A Mocking Bird). That will probably kill the experience for me.

galadriel · 06-08-2003, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HOBBIT
I have to read this for school over the summer (along with To Kill A Mocking Bird). That will probably kill the experience for me.

Nah. They're both great books that are easy to get lost in, so just pretend you're reading for them for yourself. Of course, if your English class is anything like mine, the experience *will* be killed next fall when you're forced to over-analyze them ad naseaum.

04-16-2003, 11:07 AM	#1
*Jonathan* Entmoot Attorney-General, Equilibrating the Scales of Justice, Administrator ♎ Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 3,891	Catcher in the Rye I've just read J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye for the second time (this time in English). This controversial book is one of the best things I have ever read. I think the book was even banned in America shortly after its publication. The story about Holden Caulfield, who is having a nervous breakdown and is in the verge of going insane, really appealed to me. I really love books and films where the main character is like Holden. The main characters shouldn't be heroes, not a care in the world. I find them much more interesting if they are having psychological problems, are depressed etc. I'm going to read more books of Salinger, and I hope they are equally good as Catcher in the Rye. More authors should write like Salinger! EDIT: The thread has been moved to the right forum. Good. __________________ An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻ Last edited by Jonathan : 04-16-2003 at 05:27 PM.

04-16-2003, 11:57 AM	#2
congressmn Incharge: neighbourhood security Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: on my 499th post Posts: 481	I luved the book myself. Amazing! His charachter is so honest! __________________ i am nothing. i am a cold stone, which deceives with the light it reflects, giving illusions of warmth.

04-16-2003, 01:22 PM	#3
crickhollow The Buckleberry Fairy/Captain Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Washington State again (I miss Texas). Posts: 1,345	Happy to oblige, __________________ A day will come at last when I Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

04-17-2003, 02:40 PM	#4
Ornelírë Mistë Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 482	I loved this book. And I agree, people with spychological problems are more interesting. __________________ "Lot of people say this city looks like Hell," Allie said. She took a long drag from her cigarette. The glowing tip burned a hole in the darkness. "Most people never been to Hell," Jacob said. She looked at him and he could hear the smile in her voice. "And I suppose you have?"

04-18-2003, 11:31 PM	#5
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	I finally read Catcher not too long ago. I think it was an achievement in the sense that it broke a lot of unwritten rules and conventions of storytelling technique and style. It amazes me that something like Salinger's work was considered controversial back then; that, to me, says a lot about the mentality of 1940s society. __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

04-19-2003, 01:36 AM	#6
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	I can't believe they actually banned this book. It is actually required reading at school here; the reason I read it was my sister had to buy it for her course. I can see why it's controversial, at least back in the 1940's. Once I started to read it, I couldn's stop. I didn't get the impression Holden was going insane. I thought he was just a messed up kid who needed to apply himself. __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

04-22-2003, 10:50 AM	#8
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I loved this book! I didn't think he was mad - seems like an accurate portrayal of what it's like to be a teenager to me __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

04-25-2003, 01:39 PM	#11
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	I adore this book.... But anyway, I think Holden needed to be an intelligent character. Otherwise, he wouldn't really understand how screwed up the world around him is, and this screwed-up-ness wouldn't bother him as much. __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

05-11-2003, 11:21 PM	#12
Anglorfin Alasailon Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: college Posts: 861	One of my favorite books of all time. I am glad that it is required reading in high school. This year I also had to read Salinger's"Nine Stories". That book is very odd. I don't like it barely at all because I'm not really a short story person. It's a very odd and confusing book overall too. __________________ "and then this hobbit was walking, and then this elf jumped out of a bush and totally flipped out on him while wailing on his guitar." "Anglorfin was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of anger; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was great skill."

05-12-2003, 11:55 AM	#14
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	Hiya, can somebody tell me if this book is very difficult to read in English? __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

05-12-2003, 01:48 PM	#15
galadriel Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a castle made of clouds Posts: 459	English... as opposed to another language? It's pretty easy since it's insanely casual... although there is some outdated slang. But you can usually guess what he means. __________________ Human kind cannot bear very much reality. dreamflower - for all things Lady Galadriel

06-08-2003, 04:31 PM	#19
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	I have to read this for school over the summer (along with To Kill A Mocking Bird). That will probably kill the experience for me. __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!