The Catcher in the Rye
A classic about teenage alienation that launched a million reading lists. But is it worth your time if you're past your teens?
A Classic on Every List
The Catcher in the Rye is a classic book that is part of some countries' reading curriculum. But not in Sweden, which is one reason I'm reading it now, close to my 40s, and not in my late teens.
The book is by J.D. Salinger and the novel was first published in the early 1950s. It has been a bestseller ever since. It has sold over 65 million copies and holds a slot in many prestigious "best books of all time" lists, including Modern Library's and the New York Times top lists.
After reading it I can see why it would be in a school reading curriculum. It's a book that touches upon many themes that concern the young, and I can see it sparking big discussions in a class of teenagers.
Holden Caulfield
The protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye is Holden Caulfield, a 17-year-old boy who is failing in school. Failing in most things, actually. At least according to the expectations that society has on a person of that age. He knows what's expected of him but he just can't muster up the energy to apply himself. He has no intrinsic motivation for succeeding in school or work. He can't see the point of it. The world of adulthood is "phony" and it makes him sick. He'd rather run away and live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere than take part in civilized society.
In the book we follow Holden for about a week and get a deep look into the workings of his mind, as he chronicles his own experiences at school and in social situations. He struggles with a society that he views as hypocritical and artificial. He also struggles with finding a sense of selfhood and identity in a world full of phonies.
Is Caulfield depressed? He is, maybe even clinically depressed, but I won't get into putting labels on this character, because I'm sure someone else will help out with that. We sure love to put labels and diagnoses on people every opportunity we get. One thing is for certain: he is very alienated from the world around him.
📺 Video Review
⚖️ Verdict
I read this book as part of my life goal of reading the classic works of literature. I try to read four classics each year. Before the verdict, I want to mention why I read, since it consciously or unconsciously impacts what books I recommend. I read to learn from other people's experiences in order to learn what works, what doesn't, and what traps to avoid in order to live the good life. I read to understand other people better, and to understand myself. I firmly believe that reading great books and being curious have the power to improve people's lives.
This book is quite slow. The protagonist's outlook on life, and how he describes everything as boring or phony, makes me as depressed as Holden himself. I recognize my younger self in his alienation.
One of the more shallow perks of reading classics like The Catcher in the Rye is that it allows you to understand nods to the book in other media, it makes you better at quizzes and trivia games, and you can feel smart at a cocktail party when you can take part in discussions about the great works of literature. If that's your thing, then read it! It's a quick read. Or if you are young and bored, you might relate to Holden and recognize the struggle of growing up.
That said, if you're like me, and your primary mission is to study human nature and human potential, then your time is better spent elsewhere.
📚 Read These Instead
I hate to leave you with a book I don't truly recommend, so here are three classics on a similar theme that I think are much better.
