The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

ISBN: 978-0-316-769532
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co., Boston
1951
277 pages

Plot Summary

Holden Caulfield has been kicked out of his prep school (not the first time) and decides that he wants to have some fun in NYC (his home town) before his parents find out. His adventure turns into a few days with Holden in a drunken, depressed state, during which time he manages to upset his remaining few friends (as he doesn't like many people) before ending up in the mental ward of a hospital.

Critical Evaluation

The classic, coming-of-age story for teenage boys has a young curmudgeon for its protagonist. Holden Caulfiend has been the inspiration and hero for a couple of generations of troubled youth but he's really just a depressed teen who is still mourning his dead brother. I had a hard time getting past the dated 1950's jargon and understanding Holden's angst because he just is not a nice guy.

Reader's Annotation

Holden Caulfield has just gotten kicked out of his tony prep school. He's depressed, thinks everyone around is a "phony" and doesn't realize what he's missing (in school and in life) until it's almost too late.

Author's Information

J.D. Salinger's masterpiece is probably somewhat autobiographical in that the reclusive author didn't like most people either. A native New Yorker, he attended public schools except for a military academy in Pennsylvania (the scene of Holden's prep school). He wrote Catcher in the Rye over a period of ten years.

Genre

The classic coming-of-age novel

Curriculum Ties

Required reading in many high school and college English classes

Booktalking Ideas

Holden Caulfield takes his date, Sally, to a play with the Lunts to impress her. However, at intermission they run into a friend of hers, a boy who attends an Ivy League school. Holden, of course, thinks he's a phony (because he's jealous). This would be an interesting scene to booktalk.

Reading/Interest Level

For both I would say not younger than sophomore year in high school.

Challenge Issues and Defense

Lots of underage smoking, drinking and swearing.

A classic!

Why I Included This Book

This book is mentioned so often - I'm surprised that I'd never read it before. So many YA books reference Holden Caulfield that I would have been remiss had I NOT included this book.