The Catcher in the Rye: Another Literary Classic Well Worth its Status

Since its publication in 1951, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye has been deemed as a classic both in literary quality as well as in its narrative, storytelling appeal.

In short, the novel tells the story of teenager Holden Caulfield, over the course of a few days following yet another expulsion from an upper tier private school. The book is told in a first person perspective, straight from Holden to the reader. It’s really a pretty simple style, and it works on two levels—one: pulling in the reader with relatively simple prose, and, two: the simplicity of the style reiterates Holden’s simplicity (youth) as a character.

The following review contains very few details about the book's plot.

Holden, as a character, is a cocky youthful male who has been given most of what he has in life; yet he does not appreciate what he has, or even the world around him at all. He is an extremely cynical soul, fed up with the phonies around him, fantasizing about fleeing west to get away from everything. He can’t even find social outlets like dating, friendship, or movies to be a rewarding activity as, again, it’s all too phony.

While the story is over fifty years old, it holds up with its powerful characterization, strong sense of setting (mostly NYC), and timeless sense of an individual looking to find a place. Holden’s quest is, although exaggerated beyond most people’s level of cynicism, one that anyone can relate feel to at least a minimal degree.

The book’s depth, though, comes from the fact that Holden is not the simple boy he first seems. In truth, by following his thoughts and actions over the course of the book, the reader sees him beyond his face value, beyond the youthful façade and into the head and heart of a real, rounded person with complex emotions that even he cannot understand. This comes across most clearly through Holden’s interactions with his sister, and his revelations about his brothers, Allie and D.B.

If a label must be given, I would refer to Catcher in the Rye as a coming of age story, although Holden does not leave at book’s end as a mature adult, rather a more-developed human being with a somewhat greater understanding of the confusing world around him.

Due to the simple storytelling style, this book is readable to about anyone—not just those with acquired literary tastes, and the content and themes do not go over an average person’s head. While it may be a classic, it’s no T.S. Eliot, and any reader should be able to enjoy it. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relatively quick read about youth, cynicism, family relationships, or just easy, after work reading. The book is quite amusing as Holden takes on a variety of characters from all walks of life, offering commentaries on their lesser traits.

Of course, the “controversial” material of the book shouldn’t be overlooked. I would not recommend reading this if you’re under 16. It contains a teenager considering adult themes (to use the phrase) such as sex, alcohol, prostitution, violence, and language. I can see why many would not find some of the contents to be appropriate in a school setting, though the thematic importance of these scenes should not be overlooked either in their relation to the novel as a whole.

Level of reading: Fair. The novel is written in a manner in which the reader can take what s/he wants of it—serious, or relaxing reading.

Length: 200-250 pages. Easy reading, so not too time consuming.

Recommended to: Fans of Modernism and Narratives. Issues concerning urban, upper-middle class life and coming of age.

Not recommended for: easily offended.