I was looking for something to read a couple of weeks ago and happened upon my old copy of A Catcher in the Rye. I read the book in high school, as I think most of us did, and had vague memories of enjoying it, though I didn't remember much about it. So I took it upon myself to reread it.
I have to say that for the life of me I cannot figure out why this book is considered a classic work of literature. I wanted to bang my head against the wall several times while reading it. And the grammar/spelling was atrocious. I can't figure out if it was that poorly edited or if J.D. Salinger wrote it poorly specifically because he was trying to make it seem like Holden wrote the book. I really wanted to take out a red pen and start editing it myself and then send the book to the publishers and demand that they correct it. We're expecting our children to read this book! I don't want them to think this is the proper way to spell/write. What are we teaching our children when books of literature are so poorly written?
So I was complaining about the book and my friend Andrea pointed out that the reason why I don't get it is because I am no longer filled with angst. Maybe she's right. I definitely don't look forward to my child mirroring the same angst that Holden Caulfield displayed in this book. And while I could relate to his wandering spirit, inability to fit in anywhere, and general lack of finding his place in the world, I just couldn't bring myself to care what happened to him. I had no empathy at all for his character. I just don't think that's what J.D. Salinger was trying to do with this book. So what does that say about me?
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5 comments:
Who ever said that you have to care about protaganists? I don't hink that you have to like someone to be able to relate to the process of their life, kwim?
It's interesting though that your concern is about the spelling and grammar. This is one of the books that some think should be censored for the few bad words. And if I remember correctly and probably the only thing I remember was that the really bad word was in paranthesis. ha
BAD WORDS? Good grief, I don't even recall reading any really bad words. Kids today hear worse on tv.
I didn't love it either, and I think it was more appropriate for me to read in university when we were mostly past the angst. I didn't sympathize with him either, so you're not alone there. :)
I can appreciate a lot of literature without liking it. I didn't like much of my required reading but I still love literature.
The spelling and grammar IS bad. But I still love the book. I have read it countless times.
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