Book Review : THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
by J.D. Salinger
by J.D. Salinger
This novel was included on Time Magazine's 2005 List of the 100 best English Language novels written since 1923, and it was also named by the Modern Library and its readers as one of the '100 best English Language novels of the 20th century'.
(source : wikipedia)
(source : wikipedia)
Holden Caulfield is a troubled teenager and it is evident from the first chapter of this book. His perception of the people around him and his ideas regarding the manner in which they treat one another makes it hard for him to stay in one school and to act like a "normal" 16 year old. But why does he act the way he does? Throughout the novel, he attempts to express his thoughts to other people but at the same time, he knows that nobody really listens to him or tries to understand him. He runs away from school and further plans on leaving his home and family. But he decides to meet his little sister, Phoebe before he leaves. They have a long conversation in the second last chapter where the story behind the title of the novel is also revealed. What troubles Holden so much that he decides to take such a big step? And does he go ahead with his plan even after talking to Phoebe?
Read 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger to find out.
Read 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger to find out.
Because this book is written from the perspective of a troubled 16 year old, I believe that it can be especially helpful for parents or anybody for that matter, who wants to understand and learn how to deal with children who may have suffered similar trauma. We can be around a child for 23 hours a day and still not know what he/she experiences during the 24th hour. It is, of course, easier to believe that young people are incapable of feeling certain emotions because they haven't seen half the word that we have. But in doing so, we restrict our children's growth and stop them from reaching their full potential.
However, this book doesn't include guidelines about what to say or how to act around these children. It instead offers the reader a chance to get inside their head and to see the world through their eyes. This, in turn, can teach us how to empathise with them. And empathy, in my opinion, goes a long way in life.
However, this book doesn't include guidelines about what to say or how to act around these children. It instead offers the reader a chance to get inside their head and to see the world through their eyes. This, in turn, can teach us how to empathise with them. And empathy, in my opinion, goes a long way in life.
Review submitted by Shraddha Juyal,
3rd year English Honours student at Post Graduate Government College for Girls-Sector 11,
intern at T.S. Central State Library-Sector 17.
3rd year English Honours student at Post Graduate Government College for Girls-Sector 11,
intern at T.S. Central State Library-Sector 17.
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